New CDC Guidelines Emphasize Schools Reopening This Fall

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, there’s new guidance from the CDC on childcare and education.
The new guidelines are heavily in favor of opening schools in the fall since children are less likely than adults to spread it and suffer from being out of school. But, it’s been recommended that local officials should consider closing schools, or keeping them closed, if there is substantial transmission of the virus. CDC Director, Dr. Robert Redfield said “school closures have disrupted normal ways of life for children and parents, and they have had negative health consequences on our youth.” The Atlanta mayor’s office says the guidelines suggest that school administrators consider keeping children in cohorts or pods to reduce the risk of spread. They also encourage the use of social distancing, hand hygiene, and face masks. As of July 17th, the United States reported that children and adolescents under 18 years old account for under 7 percent of covid-19 cases and less than 0.1 percent of deaths.