Listen to health experts for school openings

A writer has made misleading claims (“CUSD policy continues to hurt …”, ER Letters, March 2nd).

First, “There is no need to fear the virus in our school children.” — According to the CDC, children, like adults, who have COVID-19 but have no symptoms (“asymptomatic”) can still spread the virus to others.

Second, “The CDC has encouraged schools to open.” — The CDC released guidelines that focus on five key COVID-19 mitigation strategies for reopening schools: the universal and correct wearing of masks; physical distancing; washing hands; cleaning facilities and improving ventilation; and contact tracing, isolation and quarantine.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to physically distance 25/35 (elementary/high school) students in a regular classroom. Without additional financial support, schools don’t have the extra money in their regular budgets to pay for the necessary COVID-19 school interventions. (Passage of the COVID-19 Relief Bill — ‘The American Rescue Plan’ — would certainly help with this.)

Third, “the American Academy of Pediatrics has always supported full time school.” — The actual Academy words: “Returning to school is important for the healthy development and well-being of children, but we must pursue reopening in a way that is safe for all students, teachers and staff. Science should drive decisionmaking on safely reopening schools. Public health agencies must make recommendations based on evidence, not politics. We should leave it to health experts to tell us when the time is best to open up school buildings, and listen to educators and administrators to shape how we do it.”

— Mark S. Gailey, Chico