Thoughts on going back to school during COVID-19

If we reopen schools before we all get a vaccine we all –  or at least someone who hasn’t gotten a vaccine – is at risk for getting COVID-19. By reopening schools and people getting infected, the infected count will go up again and we are going to have to keep doing online school because clearly we would still be able to get the coronavirus.

“Closing schools can make a big difference in flattening the curve, evidence from past epidemics shows. A study in Nature in 2006 that modeled an influenza outbreak found that closing school during the peak of a pandemic could reduce the peak attack rate, or speed of spread, by 40 percent. Another study in 2016 in BMC Infectious Diseases found that, based on the H1N1 pandemic of 2009, closing schools could reduce the attack rate up to 25 percent and the peak weekly incidence, or rate of new cases, by more than 50 percent.” ( Aaron E. Carroll)

But some good things you could say about reopening schools is students and teachers would be able to get to know each other properly and maybe be able to participate more in discussion or be more active. If we reopen schools and somehow no one gets COVID-19 students will be more active because in online schooling students are most likely to goof off.  It’s easier to good off at home; students are most likely to get distracted by little brothers and sisters, some family member that comes to visit, or parents doing chores around the house.

The reason why we should stay home is so that students are able to sleep some more because they don’t have to wake up early to change clothes – they just have to change shirts, eat some quick snacks and they’re good for Zoom. When break time arrives, students are able to do more things they would otherwise not be able to do in school like lay down on a couch and wait for the time to pass for next class; getting a little more rest than being outside sitting alone like kids that don’t have friends and anything better to do.

“Other recent surveys have found similar patterns. Many factors are at play in parents’ approach to the school year, including their jobs; the risk level in their families and communities; and their children’s individual needs. Parents of color and low-income parents say they’re less comfortable with returning children and teachers to school.” (Claire Cain Miller)

When it comes to lunch, students have better options at home than at school because at home foods don’t repeat that often like they do at school.  At home kids are able to get different drinks than just some milk/chocolate milk. At home students aren’t stuck in the same first class, second, break, third, fourth, fifth, lunch, sixth, seventh, go home. Kids are more likely to communicate while at home because students can use the chat option or private chat because there are also the kids who are just afraid to talk out loud and would prefer typing it out.  While home breaks and lunch are a little more fun than when we’re at school. And if we stay home, the chances of us getting COVID-19 are lower than if we go to school.

“I feel like it will not end up happening. I think we will keep on using Zoom until there is a vaccine for coronavirus. But if we do end up going to school without a vaccine they will most likely have us apart.” (Uziel Valencia) 

Reasons on why going back won’t be such a bad idea:  

1. Goofing off is hard because in real life there’s no mute or turn off camera options and we can’t be staring around our rooms lowering the chances of us goofing off.
2. Parents do their chores more effectively so they don’t get in our way when on Zoom and are able to clean kitchen tables without getting in the way or having to take some time to see if their child is actually paying attention or how the teacher is teaching.
3. We are able to be outside to get some vitamin D from the sun.
4. Students and teachers will be able to get to know each other better and perhaps pay more attention.
5. And lastly, if we go back we will be able to ask the teacher more questions than if at home.