School Reopening Guidelines Fuel Public Health Debate

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidance for reopening schools last week amid the COVID-19 pandemic, laying out essential features of safe reopening including mask-wearing, social distancing and more testing. Some experts praised the guidance; others say it won't do enough to fully open schools. The Biden administration has at times been inconsistent on its goals for reopening schools. On Tuesday, Biden said his 100-day goal was to have most elementary schools open five days a week; White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said last week that schools would be considered open if they held in-person classes at least one day per week. Some voices on all sides are calling for schools to reopen, focusing on potential psychological consequences for children who aren't learning in-person. There's disagreement on the left about reopening schools; some are siding with scientists who say it's safe, and some are aligning with the many teachers unions that are reluctant to send teachers back before vaccines are more widely administered. Many right-rated voices have been critical of teachers unions and of the Biden administration's messaging about reopening.