It is too risky to reopen schools, argue Mario Ramirez and Andrew Buher in Future-Ed. While getting kids back into classrooms is a priority, there remains uncertainty about whether this can be done safely. First and foremost, we still aren't certain if children help spread COVID-19. The millions of them who caught it probably transmitted it to others. At a time when hospitals are still facing staff and equipment shortages, it is too risky to send kids across the whole country back to school. Additionally, much of the current data is insufficient and focuses on private schools, which don't represent the whole system. Schools should only be opened once safety can be guaranteed.
Now is the time to reopen schools, asserts Joe Concha in The Hill. The CDC has clearly stated that schools are safe, even adding that vaccinating teachers is not essential for them to reopen. Teachers' unions are halting this much-needed change. Child suicides are rising while millions of them fall behind in their educations. As a whole, their mental health is suffering immensely. The CDC found little evidence that children meaningfully contributed to the spread of COVID-19. Anthony Fauci, who leads the COVID task force, agreed that kids should return to classrooms. It is time for President Biden to do what is best and mandate that children go back to school.