AUTHOR=Lordan Ronan , Prior Samantha , Hennessy Elizabeth , Naik Amruta , Ghosh Soumita , Paschos Georgios K. , Skarke Carsten , Barekat Kayla , Hollingsworth Taylor , Juska Sydney , Mazaleuskaya Liudmila L. , Teegarden Sarah , Glascock Abigail L. , Anderson Sean , Meng Hu , Tang Soon-Yew , Weljie Aalim , Bottalico Lisa , Ricciotti Emanuela , Cherfane Perla , Mrcela Antonijo , Grant Gregory , Poole Kristen , Mayer Natalie , Waring Michael , Adang Laura , Becker Julie , Fries Susanne , FitzGerald Garret A. , Grosser Tilo TITLE=Considerations for the Safe Operation of Schools During the Coronavirus Pandemic JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health VOLUME=9 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.751451 DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2021.751451 ISSN=2296-2565 ABSTRACT=

During the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, providing safe in-person schooling has been a dynamic process balancing evolving community disease burden, scientific information, and local regulatory requirements with the mandate for education. Considerations include the health risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its post-acute sequelae, the impact of remote learning or periods of quarantine on education and well-being of children, and the contribution of schools to viral circulation in the community. The risk for infections that may occur within schools is related to the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections within the local community. Thus, persistent suppression of viral circulation in the community through effective public health measures including vaccination is critical to in-person schooling. Evidence suggests that the likelihood of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within schools can be minimized if mitigation strategies are rationally combined. This article reviews evidence-based approaches and practices for the continual operation of in-person schooling.