On Wednesday, March 3, the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) updated its guidelines for the state’s schools and stated that “continued research shows mitigation measures allow safe in-person learning.”
It also stated that there’s a low transmission of COVID-19 among students and teachers.
In a press release sent Wednesday afternoon, the NCDHHS stated its opinion that, due to a number of health factors and considerations, the overall health of the state’s students was in more peril from kids staying out of school than from them attending school.
The release stated, “Recognizing the growing harms to children who are out of school and relying solely on remote instruction – including negative impacts on academics, mental health and food insecurity – the department’s updated guidance instructs schools to offer in-person learning to the fullest extent possible while following all public health protocols.”
The release went on to recommend that schools only use remote learning in limited situations – such as when there are extra-ordinary health risks for the student, or when a family desires for the child to continue learning remotely.
The NCDHHS cited improving COVID-19 numbers as a major factor in its decision.
About a month ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its COVID-19 mitigation strategy for K-12 schools, and that strategy paper made clear the importance of reopening school and providing in-person learning and reestablishing key support services.
NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen stated in the March 3 press release that the scientific data is creating a clear picture.
“Extensive research tells us we can bring students back to the classroom with the right measures in place,” Cohen said. “And students need in-person school not only for academics, but to learn social skills, get reliable meals, and to continue to grow and thrive.”
One major consideration at play is that multiple studies have shown that younger children are less likely to spread COVID-19 to others than older teens and adults are.
After discussing the rotating in-person Wake Co. teaching with my 15 yr old G’daughter this past week I have to agree with her that the scenario as she carefully described is not much better than the at-home on-line teaching. Students are separated in classrooms. No talking to each other and masks always in place. Teacher uses her pointer on the laptop screen during the sessions. No person-to -person instruction. No lively discussions Times up, they file out. No gathering outside the classroom, no socializing. She and her older sister are good students. They readily digest the material. Some classmates will continue to get behind in their education. Times are tough. Are kids are suffering, some aren’t, fortunately.
Please note that King Coop is in charge.That’s why NC has bee n shut down .Look around the country and you see the trouble that Democrats are giving their people with restaurants,bars and schools are closed down and lots of owners have had to go bankrupt.Still the schools are closed.Children have lost one year of education due to incompetence of the Governor,mayors of these states..The same applies to NC ,with our incompetent Governor .How can some states open up wearing masks and other
precautions.Our children are one year behind because of the incompetent gov .Coop .Why did the people of NC put Coop back in . In the states run by Republicans schools are open and restaurants are open and successful.
I would like to inject that Democrats are corrupt and will lie and believe a lie.Just look at our new president .He said he would govern all people not just Democrats.The Democrats have done everything possible to destroy all Republicans,even in the senate.Look at what they are doing to Dr Seuss.How stupid can one party be so cruel and nonfeeling ,Just last year the were knowledgeable able BLM and Antifa and their rioting and destruction but never once spoke out about it.Joe has opened the borders to allow illegals to flood America,bringing in diseases (over 100 people)) that were found in Texas with The virus.These people will be coming to our community’s.Why can’t they go to Washington or the elite section where these Democrats live.They are superior and would not allow these illegals to come into their neighborhood.