PROVIDENCE — “The kids will be fine.”
Those were the words of a noted Yale epidemiologist, one of two experts who participated in Gov. Gina Raimondo’s weekly Facebook forum on school reopenings on Thursday.
“There’s something funny about this novel virus,” said Dr. Sten Vermund. “The childhood immune system doesn’t overreact the way it does with the elderly. Our children may be less likely to contract it, and, if symptomatic, less likely to be severely ill. This is great news.”
What worries Vermund, he said, is the ability of children to transmit the virus to someone who is elderly or who has a pre-existing medical condition.
But, he said, he believes the risks can be managed.
“If we can get teachers physically distanced. If we can use plexiglass to create a wall. If we can mitigate our risks....” he said. “I have not hesitated to go back to school. I can manage my risk. We mitigate risks every single day.
“We as teachers can substantially manage our risk, but we need your help, Governor, to invest in plexiglass, masks, hand sanitizer.
“I know that I’m privileged,” he said. “I know a public school teacher may be at the mercy of the local school board.”
Meanwhile, Massachusetts’ largest teachers union has asked its members to vote on a resolution supporting distance learning only.
More than three dozen teachers unions in the Bay State have already voted on such a resolution, according to The Boston Globe. And the locals will use their position in negotiations with local school districts this fall.
Dozens of districts around the country, including large districts like Los Angeles, have decided to use distance learning only this semester.
The challenge, Raimondo said, is getting through the noise around an in-person return to class. What message, she asked, is getting lost in the discussion around school reopening?
“There are 10,000 to 50,000 people (in the U.S.) who die of the flu every year,” Dr. Vermund said. “Life goes on. Get vaccinated for the flu. We’re almost there with the novel virus.”
There are numerous drugs in the research pipeline, he said, adding, “I predict there will be good news in September, more good news in November and in February. Some drugs will work and some won’t.”
Raimondo asked state Human Services Director Courtney Hawkins to describe how things went when child-care centers reopened this summer.
“We’ve been very fortunate,” Hawkins said. ”We’ve had fewer than two dozen cases among children and staff. We’ve been able to reduce the potential spread…. We can’t rest in fear. We have to understand the science and make sure our protocols are aligned.”
Hawkins said parents were initially reluctant to bring their kids back. As time went on, she said, they became more confident that their children would be safe.
Asked for his final thoughts, Vermund said, “Let’s recruit the kids to be our allies. We can make mask-wearing fun. This is a great experiential learning opportunity. Why not have them engage it, battle it and be part of the solution.”