Are teachers more likely to be infected in the general community, or in schools?
Are teachers more likely to be infected in the general community, or in schools?
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This question can only truly be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, as there are many different points that have to be considered. Variables include: - Where schools are located (major cities, rural areas, small towns, etc.) - How many children are in each classroom - How many students and teachers are wearing masks all day - How much distance is between desks - How many other people live with teachers in their homes - If the school is located in a place with a virus outbreak - Individual behaviors like taking public transportation, social distancing and mask wearing In addition to the individual risks each teacher faces, schools pose additional risks due to the high number of students who are in close contact with one another in closed, tight rooms. This can make prevention tools like social distancing and frequent hand washing difficult. It is also why it is important for school systems that are reopening, or have already reopened, to create safe, healthy spaces for students and teachers with policies like mandatory mask wearing, allowing for six feet/two meters of distance between desks, routine testing (if possible), using proper ventilation, consistent and frequent cleaning and decontamination of surfaces, installing physical barriers, and avoiding group transportation. Keeping both students and teachers safe in schools and communities depends on the behaviors, environments, underlying risk factors, and choices made by school systems and individuals. This is why it is not possible to accurately estimate where teachers are more likely to get infected with COVID-19, but shows why it is so critical to prevent the spread of the virus in all environments.
This question can only truly be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, as there are many different points that have to be considered. Variables include: - Where schools are located (major cities, rural areas, small towns, etc.) - How many children are in each classroom - How many students and teachers are wearing masks all day - How much distance is between desks - How many other people live with teachers in their homes - If the school is located in a place with a virus outbreak - Individual behaviors like taking public transportation, social distancing and mask wearing In addition to the individual risks each teacher faces, schools pose additional risks due to the high number of students who are in close contact with one another in closed, tight rooms. This can make prevention tools like social distancing and frequent hand washing difficult. It is also why it is important for school systems that are reopening, or have already reopened, to create safe, healthy spaces for students and teachers with policies like mandatory mask wearing, allowing for six feet/two meters of distance between desks, routine testing (if possible), using proper ventilation, consistent and frequent cleaning and decontamination of surfaces, installing physical barriers, and avoiding group transportation. Keeping both students and teachers safe in schools and communities depends on the behaviors, environments, underlying risk factors, and choices made by school systems and individuals. This is why it is not possible to accurately estimate where teachers are more likely to get infected with COVID-19, but shows why it is so critical to prevent the spread of the virus in all environments.
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What our experts say
This question can only truly be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, as there are many different points that have to be considered. Variables include:
- Where schools are located (major cities, rural areas, small towns, etc.)
- How many children are in each classroom
- How many students and teachers are wearing masks all day
- How much distance is between desks
- How many other people live with teachers in their homes
- If the school is located in a place with a virus outbreak
- Individual behaviors like taking public transportation, social distancing and mask wearing
In addition to the individual risks each teacher faces, schools pose additional risks due to the high number of students who are in close contact with one another in closed, tight rooms. This can make prevention tools like social distancing and frequent hand washing difficult. It is also why it is important for school systems that are reopening, or have already reopened, to create safe, healthy spaces for students and teachers with policies like mandatory mask wearing, allowing for six feet/two meters of distance between desks, routine testing (if possible), using proper ventilation, consistent and frequent cleaning and decontamination of surfaces, installing physical barriers, and avoiding group transportation.
Keeping both students and teachers safe in schools and communities depends on the behaviors, environments, underlying risk factors, and choices made by school systems and individuals. This is why it is not possible to accurately estimate where teachers are more likely to get infected with COVID-19, but shows why it is so critical to prevent the spread of the virus in all environments.
This question can only truly be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, as there are many different points that have to be considered. Variables include:
- Where schools are located (major cities, rural areas, small towns, etc.)
- How many children are in each classroom
- How many students and teachers are wearing masks all day
- How much distance is between desks
- How many other people live with teachers in their homes
- If the school is located in a place with a virus outbreak
- Individual behaviors like taking public transportation, social distancing and mask wearing
In addition to the individual risks each teacher faces, schools pose additional risks due to the high number of students who are in close contact with one another in closed, tight rooms. This can make prevention tools like social distancing and frequent hand washing difficult. It is also why it is important for school systems that are reopening, or have already reopened, to create safe, healthy spaces for students and teachers with policies like mandatory mask wearing, allowing for six feet/two meters of distance between desks, routine testing (if possible), using proper ventilation, consistent and frequent cleaning and decontamination of surfaces, installing physical barriers, and avoiding group transportation.
Keeping both students and teachers safe in schools and communities depends on the behaviors, environments, underlying risk factors, and choices made by school systems and individuals. This is why it is not possible to accurately estimate where teachers are more likely to get infected with COVID-19, but shows why it is so critical to prevent the spread of the virus in all environments.
Context and background
Many school districts are deciding whether or not to reopen schools, switch to online or distance learning, postpone opening until later in the year, or use strategies that involve some combination of these options. One of the biggest considerations these school systems face is how to protect teachers and students from getting infected with or spreading COVID-19 to others. The most effective strategy to prevent widespread infections in schools is distance learning, but this poses many challenges to school districts, teachers, families, and students. The U.S. CDC states that in-person learning "is in the best interest of students, when compared to virtual learning," so this is not the optimal way to teach or learn.
Teachers, families, and school districts must compare the benefits of in-person schooling against the risks posed by the COVID-19 spread. Many teachers and families are concerned about the risks involved with putting their lives and family members at risk of becoming infected should they return to schools. Ultimately, the decision of how to teach students is up to each school system and family, but teachers may want to consider their individual risks and the policies their schools are taking to prevent becoming infected with the virus.
The fact that children with COVID-19 are less likely to have severe symptoms or have asymptomatic infections than adults may help make their families more comfortable with sending them back to school in-person. But regardless of their roles, all people returning to schools soon should use as many prevention tools as possible from wearing masks in public spaces to rigorously washing hands with soap and water to distancing between people as much as possible.
Many school districts are deciding whether or not to reopen schools, switch to online or distance learning, postpone opening until later in the year, or use strategies that involve some combination of these options. One of the biggest considerations these school systems face is how to protect teachers and students from getting infected with or spreading COVID-19 to others. The most effective strategy to prevent widespread infections in schools is distance learning, but this poses many challenges to school districts, teachers, families, and students. The U.S. CDC states that in-person learning "is in the best interest of students, when compared to virtual learning," so this is not the optimal way to teach or learn.
Teachers, families, and school districts must compare the benefits of in-person schooling against the risks posed by the COVID-19 spread. Many teachers and families are concerned about the risks involved with putting their lives and family members at risk of becoming infected should they return to schools. Ultimately, the decision of how to teach students is up to each school system and family, but teachers may want to consider their individual risks and the policies their schools are taking to prevent becoming infected with the virus.
The fact that children with COVID-19 are less likely to have severe symptoms or have asymptomatic infections than adults may help make their families more comfortable with sending them back to school in-person. But regardless of their roles, all people returning to schools soon should use as many prevention tools as possible from wearing masks in public spaces to rigorously washing hands with soap and water to distancing between people as much as possible.
