What Does The CDC Recommend For Reopening Schools?

Life has changed rapidly and drastically for all of us in 2020. One thing's for sure, we won't soon forget how Coronavirus brought the world nearly to a halt. Now, can you imagine what things will be like when schools fully open back up?

On Tuesday, May 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) put out an updated, detailed list of "considerations" for schools to open and operate. Let me tell you, I am very thankful that I am not a teacher, not a student, nor do I  have a child who is a student. It's exhausting even reading these considerations, let alone actually having to implement the guidelines.

If I had to write out a bullet list of the CDC's school considerations, I would probably run out of typing space. The recommendations cover everything imaginable for school-aged kids in grade K-12. From spacing out bus seating and staggering drop offs to scheduling virtual activities (instead of things like field trips), offering prepackaged lunches, and everything in between, this seems like it would be a daunting nightmare to implement. Get the full list of information, recommendations, and considerations here.

What I would give to go back to the way we used to be - just months ago, even. I think we can all admit that we took basically everything for granted. I truly can't imagine the fear kids (who can comprehend the magnitude of this) have right now. I can't imagine how much stress teachers are experiencing. Connection, touch, closeness, all of it, are essential to being a human being. Are we eventually going to be forced to cut off all contact with our friends, families, and society?