5 Ways to Keep Kids Safe When Schools Reopen
A Guide for Parents & Teachers on How to Protect Children from COVID when Schools Reopen
Many regions have announced in recent months that they will reopen their schools for traditional learning after extended periods with virtual and hybrid education. This is due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is a significant milestone, both for educators and families, but it also raises serious concerns about the safety of students, teachers and staff. This is a concern that has been heightened by the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant, especially in countries such as Australia, where school reopenings continue to be planned despite the increasing number of cases.
The government of New South Wales has tentatively set the date for face-to-face education to return in October 2025. While many families are excited to be back in the classroom, the announcement left many questions unanswered. Specifically, how can we guarantee the safety of students, teachers and the larger school community during these uncertain times?
In the run-up to the planned reopening, it is important to address these concerns by implementing concrete, scientifically-backed strategies that will help to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within educational settings. It is important to take safety measures to protect all students and limit the spread of COVID-19. With vaccination rates increasing and many children still unvaccinated, it’s more important than ever. Here are five ways to ensure that kids stay safe as schools reopen.
1. Vaccinate Adults around Them
It is important to ensure that adults who are around children are also vaccinated. As vaccines for the younger population are being developed, vaccination of caregivers such as parents, teachers, and school staff is a powerful way to protect children. COVID-19 is often contracted by children from adults, such as household members or teachers.
A California outbreak was traced to a teacher who had not been vaccinated and came to work with symptoms. She removed her mask while reading to the students. Even though the children were over two meters away, they contracted the virus. This case shows that, while physical distance is important, it may not be enough to stop airborne COVID-19 transmission. As the virus is spread primarily by shared air, vaccination of adults, whether they are teachers, parents or caregivers, remains a vital step to reduce the risk of transmission.
Teachers in NSW are required to be vaccinated, but only 67 per cent have been vaccinated. Teachers, parents and school staff are often the ones who infect children with the virus. The Pfizer Delta vaccine offers up to 88 per cent protection after two doses.
2. Mandatory Masks for Teachers
Masks are another important measure to combat COVID-19. Masks have proven to be an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially in places where social distance can be a problem. Mask mandates have been implemented in many countries for both students and teachers, with varying levels of success. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that everyone over the age of 2 wear a mask, regardless of their vaccination status. This is to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Masks can be worn by children as young as 2 years old. The vast majority of students can wear them comfortably for long periods. It is important to allow children to choose masks that they like, whether it be their favourite colour character or even the logo of a sports team. Children who choose their masks feel more in control and ownership, making them more likely to wear them.
It’s also important to make sure that the masks are well-fitting and made of quality materials. DIY cloth masks are just as effective as those purchased in stores if they follow key design principles. These include having two or more layers of breathable fabric, as well as a snug fit on the nose, mouth and chin. Masks should be worn as a precaution for the wearer but also to protect those around them. Children should learn that wearing a mask will help prevent the spread of viruses.
3. Make sure classrooms are well-ventilated
COVID-19 is spread primarily by airborne transmission, so it is important to ensure that classrooms have adequate ventilation. This will help keep children safe. Open windows to circulate fresh air and, if possible, position fans to move out stale air. Ideally, two windows should be opened at opposite ends of the classroom to allow for cross-ventilation. If windows are not possible to open, portable air cleaners can reduce viral loads in classrooms.
Air purifiers are relatively cheap and cost-effective solutions to improve air quality in schools. Air purifiers filter out harmful particles from the air, including viral droplets. This helps to reduce the risk of transmission. Schools can invest in small, effective purifiers for each classroom that are affordable and can help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
This is a great time to extend learning outside as we move into the warmer months. Outdoor areas could be used for classrooms, not only to improve ventilation but also to reduce the risk of being inside for extended periods. The Delta variant is still transmissible outdoors, but the risk of transmission is lower than in enclosed spaces. As the weather improves, outdoor learning spaces provide educational and safety benefits.
4. Reduce classroom numbers and encourage social distancing
Reduce the number of students per classroom to reduce the risk of COVID-19. Overcrowded classrooms are a perfect environment for the virus to spread. This is especially true in areas where the number of cases continues to rise. A hybrid learning model could be adopted whereby children would attend school on alternate days and learn online on the remaining days. This will reduce the number of students who are in a classroom at a given time while maintaining optimum educational standards.
In addition, using outdoor spaces and allowing for more physical distance can reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread. Schools should maintain as much space as possible between children, even when they are inside. Rearranging the seating in classrooms and communal areas such as lunchrooms can help to maintain a safe distance between children.
Studies have shown that masks combined with a reduced class density can reduce the risk of transmission. Studies conducted in universities that had reduced class sizes as well as mask requirements found that these combined measures resulted in a dramatic reduction of COVID-19. This same approach can be used in primary and secondary school to keep children safe as they return to classroom learning.
5. Regularly Test and Monitor
Regular testing of school staff and students is also a key tool to identify and isolate cases of COVID-19. Rapipoint-of-career testing can quickly identify individuals infected, allowing schools swift action to stop further transmission. This is especially important when individuals are asymptomatic carriers and unknowingly spread the virus to others.
Self-testing kits, when approved by the health authorities, could be distributed to families in addition to on-site tests. This would give parents and caregivers tools to monitor COVID-19 symptoms among their children. The testing should be part of a broader strategy to monitor students and staff’s health continuously. Regular testing can ensure that schools are safe learning environments.
Saliva-based tests are a practical alternative for schools. They are easier for children to perform and require less effort. These tests could be made more widely accessible by governments to ensure that they are available in schools for quick identification of cases and to reduce outbreaks.
It’s important to protect children, even as vaccination rates rise.
Children will make up a greater proportion of the unvaccinated population as vaccination rates increase in adults. Children under 12 years of age are currently not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, which means that many children remain at risk once schools reopen. It is, therefore, even more crucial to take safety measures, such as those listed above, to protect children when schools reopen.
Lockdowns are causing productivity losses that have impacted economies around the world. Australia estimates a daily cost of A$220,000,000 in New South Wales. Children who are sick can affect their parent’s ability to work. They may be unable to do anything at home, and they might also become sick themselves. It is important to protect children’s well-being by reducing exposure to COVID-19. This will also improve the functioning of communities and families.
Conclusion
It’s important to prioritise safety measures as we prepare for the reopening and reintroduction of schools. These will protect students, teachers, staff, and the community from the COVID-19 threat. All of these strategies can contribute to a safe and healthy environment in schools. They include vaccinating adults, requiring masks and good ventilation, reducing the number of classrooms and conducting regular tests. Combining these measures with efforts to promote public health and increase vaccination rates will ensure that students return to school protected to the maximum extent.
We all have a responsibility to create a safe environment for learning in these times of unprecedented change. We can protect our children by staying informed, adhering to public health guidelines and working together.
