The Washington Examiner - Let's Listen to Science, Not Politics, on School Openings

Op-Ed

By Mark Green

Schools across the country are making decisions about what to do after the holiday break. Do they listen to the science and reopen schools or listen to the pundits and keep children home?

The science is clear: In-person learning is safe for both students and teachers. The real danger to our children lies in extended time outside the classroom. Reports continue to come out warning that children are suffering from higher rates of depression symptoms while being isolated from in-person learning -- this cannot continue.

We need to make decisions based on the reality of the situation, not exaggerated projections or union demands. It's time to start following science instead of politics.

As millions of families struggle to balance virtual learning, declining test scores prove that online learning is no replacement for in-person instruction. Students cannot learn effectively by watching a screen for hours each day, and that's assuming each child has access to the internet and a computer.

In November, the mayor of New York decided to close the largest school district in the country while at the same time allowing bars to stay open. In fact, many cities have made the same decision with no evidence that schools are at a greater risk of spreading the virus than restaurants and grocery stores.

We cannot ignore the fact that in-person education is essential to a child's development and future success. What kind of message are we sending when we close schools? It's time we get our priorities straight.

The reality is that children are at an extremely low risk for serious illness or death from COVID-19, far less than adults, and even less than from seasonal influenza. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children make up 12.2% of total cases, and the mortality rate for children is 0.1%. Further, the data shows that children are at a low risk of spreading COVID-19. Despite this, many districts are opting to close schools to appease teachers unions and ensure political cover.

School closures are causing children to fall behind academically. This will have long-term consequences, especially on minority communities who are disproportionately affected. One analysis found that if schools continue remote learning, the estimated average learning loss in mathematics by June 2021 will be nine months. For minority students, the average will be 11-12 months.

Prolonged school closures also risk a child's social and emotional development. Pediatricians and parents alike are sounding the alarm on the effect that social isolation is having on the mental and emotional health of children. Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees that it's in the best interest of children to have face-to-face learning.

And students are not the only ones affected by school closures. For every child forced to learn virtually, there's a parent who has to make the tough decision to work or stay home. Over 90% of children aged 6-17 have at least one employed parent, many of whom will have to forfeit their careers in order to stay home. This disproportionately harms women and single parents.

There has to be a point where we draw the line and say these closures aren't worth it.

Keeping schools closed for months on end is not a realistic policy and hurts the overall well-being of our children. If we force them to stay at home, we will do far more harm than allowing them to attend school in-person.

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