Reopening Schools: Facts Vs. Myths

Written By Dana Garibaldi

Written by Dana Garibaldi | Edited by Sobh Saeed, Sadhika Raj | Designed by Jasmine Shek (Jas), Sanisa Kongsiri (Kym)

Myth: Children cannot get COVID-19. 

Fact: All people, regardless of age, can get the coronavirus. Current research shows that children are physiologically just as likely to become infected with it as adults. However, they generally have minimal to mild symptoms when infected with the coronavirus and are therefore less likely to get tested, putting other people in their surroundings at risk.

Takeaway: If we reopen schools, children are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and consequently playing a role in spreading it to others. Teachers, staff, and family members of the children can get infected due to the increase in the spread. 


Myth: Even if children get COVID-19, it will be obvious, and they can be quarantined. 

Fact: Some children do not always show symptoms of the disease, even when infected.

Takeaway: Because the population in schools is primarily made up of children, it can be harder to regulate the disease when we are not 100% sure if a child even has COVID-19 or not. 

Myth: Children will play by the rules correctly and follow all safety procedures.

Fact: These are children. You can not expect children, particularly younger ones, to not want to engage with their friends or be willing to wear their mask for 8 hours every day. Their brains aren’t even near being fully developed to remind themselves of the safety procedures. And some are mischievous, which could cost someone their life in a school setting.

Takeaway: If some people can’t even follow safety procedures doing simple tasks such as going to the grocery store, how can you expect small children to do the same? Safety procedures are not an end-all, cure-all. There is still a risk. 

Myth: Schools have enough money to reopen.

Fact: Many schools are underfunded just by operating in normal circumstances. If schools reopened, they would have to spend even more money on hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and other cleaning materials. These costs can add up quickly for highly funded schools to the point where they are considered expensive. Rural schools will not be able to afford as much of these items as they wish to, or even afford them at all, causing more risk of the disease. Following CDC safety procedures is expensive. 

Takeaway: Schools, especially those with lesser income, will not be able to afford materials that comply with CDC guidelines given their current economic circumstances. If they’re already underfunded, to begin with, how can they afford to spend more?

Myth: Schools can just adjust to follow social distancing. 

Fact: The typical school can not adjust to proper social distancing guidelines. Schools are designed for efficiency, to accommodate as many students as possible at the same time. This means narrow hallways and crowded classrooms. The same thing goes for school buses.

Takeaway: What will we do with all children who don’t have a place to learn because they simply don’t fit? 

If you live in an area where COVID-19 is prevalent and have the option to learn from home, stay home. Let’s ask parents, teachers, school districts, and our governments to do the same. 

Sources 

Dana Garibaldi
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