Breaking news: some molecular thing about COVID-19’s abilities to span distances – regarding K to 12 school children only – has just changed. It must be so because the CDC has suddenly updated its “science-based” guidelines for social distancing of children in school settings.
This past Friday, federal health officials announced updated guidance on physical distancing in schools. They now say students only need to be three feet apart instead of six.
It appears even the diehard, left-leaning teachers’ unions are no longer buying the ever-evolving “science” of trusted experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci. American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said the union was concerned that the change had more to do with the lack of required physical space in schools than with “hard science” regarding aerosol exposure and transmission. Ms. Weingarten said,
“While we hope the CDC is right and these new studies convince the community that the most enduring safety standard of this pandemic—the 6-foot rule—can be jettisoned if we all wear masks, we will reserve judgment until we review them, especially as they apply in districts with high community spread and older buildings with ventilation challenges.”
Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, also voiced doubt about whether science was the primary driver of the CDC’s revised guidelines.
If the average non-science-expert American supposed that the new guidelines had something to do with the overall drop in COVID cases over the last two months, well, that would be mostly wrong. The CDC recommendation made clear the new guidelines are for all K-12 students, regardless of whether community transmission is low, moderate, or substantial.
Even in communities where transmission is rated “high,” six feet of social distancing is now only being recommended for middle and high school students, not younger children. According to the CDC, older students are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19 and spread it than younger children.
And adults in school settings? For them, the guidance remains six feet.
Explaining the changes, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said,
“CDC is committed to leading with science and updating our guidance as new evidence emerges… Safe in-person instruction gives our kids access to critical social and mental health services that prepare them for the future, in addition to the education they need to succeed.”
