3,200-Plus Schools Closed for Omicron Despite Low Risk

Over 3,200 schools will be closed or condemned to remote learning this week as officials fear the low-risk omicron variant of the coronavirus.

School districts across the country are grappling with how to move forward with coronavirus protocols as it appears clear that new variants will continue to come and virtual learning and mask mandates are extremely detrimental to the education, social development, and mental health of children.

Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said that he believes “very firmly and very passionately” that “students belong in the classroom and that we can do it safely,” and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci told ABC News that increased vaccination rates and testing make it “safe enough to get those kids back to school, balanced against the deleterious effects of keeping them out.”

Schools should be approaching Omicron with caution – but NOT fear. Just like we teach in the classroom, we can learn from past experiences, trust the science, and use tools like test-to-stay & vaccination to keep schools safe & open.

— Secretary Miguel Cardona (@SecCardona) December 29, 2021

Despite this, many large school districts like Washington, DC, and Baltimore, Maryland, have decided to extend winter break to implement widescale testing before returning to school, as well as closures or remote learning.- READ MORE