Covid 19: Should You Send Your Children Back To School? The Toughest Decision
The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has raised concerns about our safety and well-being. Will the outbreak comes to an end this year, or will it reach another high level? Health authorities are still in a dilemma. Many people are still scared of getting out of their homes, but we have to live with the pace of life, especially with proper safety measures. With the reopening of schools around the world, parents are concerned about their children. Amidst coronavirus, reopening schools has been a subject of matter for many debates.
Apart from parents, no one else can be more worried about their children’s health and safety. Since they were tiny tots, you have been taking care of them and teaching them safe behaviors. But, sending them off to school amid the most concerning situation can be a daunting decision to make. One way or another, you have to take it as living coronavirus is the new normal.
Emotionally torn parents are thinking about whether they should send their children to school or not. Parents are majorly concerned about their children’s safety, as sending them to school amid the pandemic is nerve-wracking. According to a study, a child can carry a large amount of virus into their throat and noses than adults. Sending children away at boarding schools will pose issues of separation and worry. As a parent, worrying is the prerogative of the parental landscape. Therefore, worrying about the following queries is innate:
Will my child be safe at school?
If the school is taking proper safety precautions, it can curb the spread of coronavirus in schools. However, it cannot be said that they are 100% safe at school. Disease control and prevention centers have advised schools to follow proper disinfection and cleaning procedures. But, it is upto the school itself whether they are following the measures or not.
Will the school authorities screen students every day?
A few boarding schools have opened in the United States after the lockdown, and others are planning to reopen in upcoming months. Until now, the screening of students is conducted by schools regularly. Others yet to open will conduct the screening, such as temperature checks, depending on the school’s financial resources.
What type of mask should my child wear for better protection?
Which masks offer the best protection against the coronavirus still need to be discovered. However, many experts have suggested wearing cotton masks. Masks need to be cleaned and sterilized every day for better protection. Even Boarding School Review has suggested supplying your child with dozens of marks when going to boarding schools.
What would happen if my child got sick at the school premises?
When your child starts showing coronavirus symptoms at school, they will probably isolate her. You will be informed and have to pick your child within 24-hours for testing purposes as soon as possible. If you don’t live near your child’s boarding school, you have to contact an accessible relative or friend who resides closer to the school to pick up your child quickly. The school will ask you to get the tests done and keep your child at home till the symptoms wear out.
Will my child still partake in his/her favorite sports?
In the ongoing and upcoming academic years, every school’s sports programs will be extremely different from the previous ones. Students will be seen in masks with routine temperature checks and proper sanitization of equipment pieces before and after use. Social distancing will be practiced for a safe play environment. There are some suggestive guidelines that the National Federation of State High School has given for sports activities. Under the measure, it is seen that some sports are at higher risk of spreading the virus if any one student got infected. Those sports activities will stay off the table until the condition improves worldwide.
What will the school take on any child getting exposed to coronavirus?
You will be asked to keep your child at home and carefully monitor your child for any coronavirus signs and symptoms until 14 days. It is also advisable to get the tests done for the whole family before sending your child to school. Even if your child is asymptomatic, you should isolate him/her. If you are just suspicious about the exposition, you must alert the school. Notify the school authority if your child also tested positive for coronavirus. They will isolate other students, too, and get them tested.
Will cleaning and sanitizing the school is done thoroughly?
Many boarding schools in the U.S have already implemented the sanitization and cleaning processes. As per CDC guidelines, all schools, public spaces, businesses, workplaces have some reopening policies for cleaning and disinfection. Besides disinfection and deep cleaning of the school premises, students and teachers must keep their hands properly washed and sanitized. It is best to make a small kit for your child containing hand sanitizer, silicone gloves, marks, and tissues.
The pandemic has changed our lives dramatically in ways we have never thought of. Most people are still struggling to cope with COVID-19 changes and getting habitual at it. Others might think it is not necessary to follow the safety measures. However, it is of best interest for everyone if we follow all the advisable precautions. As far as the talk goes about parents’ concern, it is prerogative. By following proper precautions at home and sending your child to a school also following the same, it will be safer to send your children back to school.
Author Bio
Jason Bill is a freelance content writer and a lifelong learner with an ongoing curiosity to learn new things. He uses that curiosity, combined with his experience as a freelance business owner, to write about the subjects valuable to students, parents, schools, and colleges.
