When COVID-19 rates dropped earlier this spring, many thought we'd be out of the woods for the fall back-to-school season. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 Delta variant emerged shortly thereafter, and now as we head into a new school year, Delta variant cases are surging in many states.
So, is it even safe to send kids back to school this fall? Read on to find out what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and doctors have to say.
How concerned should we be about the Delta variant of COVID-19?
Apart from wearing a mask at school, what else can be done to stay safe?
Keeping open lines of communication with your child's school is essential for safety. Advice from the Houston Methodist Hospital suggests that, besides making sure your child's school adheres to official public health recommendations, parents should pose the following questions to their child's school:
- Are social distancing measures in place?
- Have teachers and staff members been vaccinated?
- Is hand sanitizer readily available?
- How often are surfaces disinfected?
- What plans are in place in the event someone tests positive for COVID-19?
Equip your child with all of the supplies they need to stay as safe as possible and know where your community stands in terms of its COVID-19 rates. Resources such as this CNN website offer an easy way to look up statistics by zip code.
