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Headline Roundup March 19th, 2021

CDC Shortens School Distancing Guidelines to 3 Feet with Masks

Summary from the AllSides News Team

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relaxed its school social distancing guidelines on Friday from 6 feet to 3 feet in classrooms, as long as masks are worn. A distance of 6 feet is still recommended for adult staff and teachers, as well as in common areas, “activities when increased exhalation occurs,” and “areas of high community transmission” generally. The CDC’s decision was influenced by studies in Massachusetts and other states, where some schools shifted to 3 feet without significantly increasing infection rates. Coverage in some right-rated outlets framed the previous 6-foot guideline as questionable, in one case citing an expert who said it “was pulled out of thin air.” Left- and center-rated outlets tended to feature the story more prominently on homepages.

Featured Coverage of this Story

CDC changes school guidance, allowing desks to be closer
CDC changes school guidance, allowing desks to be closer

Associated Press

News

Students can safely sit just 3 feet apart in the classroom as long as they wear masks but should be kept the usual 6 feet away from one another at sporting events, assemblies, lunch or chorus practice, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday in relaxing its COVID-19 guidelines.

The revised recommendations represent a turn away from the 6-foot standard that has sharply limited how many students some schools can accommodate. Some places have had to remove desks, stagger scheduling and take other steps to keep children apart.

...
Open on Associated Press
Updated CDC guidance says 3 feet of physical distancing is safe in schools
Updated CDC guidance says 3 feet of physical distancing is safe in schools

CNN Digital

News

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday is updating its physical distancing guidelines for children in schools from 6 feet to 3 feet.

The CDC has previously said schools should try to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between children, but in light of new data, the agency is now recommending most students maintain at least 3 feet of distance.
On Friday, the agency is releasing three new studies it says support distancing of 3 feet between students, so long as everyone is wearing a mask...

Open on CNN Digital
CDC Changes School Social-Distancing Requirements from Six to Three Feet
CDC Changes School Social-Distancing Requirements from Six to Three Feet

National Review (News)

News

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday announced new guidance for physical-distancing requirements between children in schools, allowing for just three feet of space between students instead of the six feet it had previously recommended.

The new guidance, which will allow more students to be inside classrooms, does not apply to teachers and other adult school staff who still must remain six feet apart. Masks should remain mandatory as well, according to the CDC.

Open on National Review (News)

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