Schools face new pressures to reopen for in-person learning

Schools across the country are facing new pressure to open for in-person learning this fall given the authorization of a vaccine for children ages 12 to 15 and new federal guidance that vaccinated people do not need to wear face masks indoors or outdoors.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in an interview reiterated that he expects all schools to fully reopen in the fall and said the vaccine and mask guidance updates this week will likely adjust how schools plan for the next school year.

“I’m hopeful that with another month under our belt and continued lowered transmission rates, whatever fears some may have about fall are going to dissipate, and we’re going to be able to return to school every day, all day for all children,” the secretary said.

Background: The Education Department has not issued new guidance to schools at this point, but on Saturday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the continued use of masks and social distancing in schools.

More officials have joined in the appeals to reopen for the upcoming school year in recent days, including Biden’s chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci, who said Thursday that school should be open “full blast” by the fall.

Republican lawmakers have pointed to the Pfizer-BioNTech emergency authorization for 12 to 15-year-olds as a reason for schools to reopen fully in person after criticizing the administration for delaying sure a return.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.): “For months, the science has shown children could return to the classroom without posing a risk to themselves or others. This latest update should give parents even more comfort about their students returning, but this also affirms what was already known – schools can and should immediately reopen for full-time, in-person instruction.”