COVID-19 Precautions That Need to be Taken as We Return to In-Person School
By Adelaide Keller
By Adelaide Keller
As we make our return to school, many of us will be excited to see friends again, be back in the school building, and be in-person with other people. However, we cannot forget that we are still in a pandemic. Here are four things we need to keep doing as we return to school:
Wear Our Mask(s)
Mask wearing is a key practice that has helped slow down this pandemic and can also help stop it. “They provide a barrier that keeps respiratory droplets from spreading”, according to the CDC. With new COVID-19 variants emerging it is as important as ever to wear your mask, in order to stay safe. You might even want to consider wearing two masks (a washable, fabric one with a medical grade, disposable one underneath), in order to have that extra layer of protection.
Social Distance When Possible
It may be hard to social distance at all times when we return to school, but try doing it whenever possible. The CDC says that, “limiting close face-to-face contact with others is the best way to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).” Masks won’t always filter out 100% of COVID-19 particles, so it is important to social distance for extra safety.
Wash Our Hands Constantly
While at school you may risk picking up the COVID-19 germ by touching objects that have been touched by other people who are unknowingly carrying the virus. An effective way to get the germ off you before you accidentally get it in your mouth and nose is by washing your hands, whether with hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol or for 20 seconds with soap and water. Try washing your hands whenever you have time - make sure to get the palms, backs, fingers, skin in between fingers, and wrists. For more information about when and how to wash your hands use this resource from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html.
Don’t Feel Too Safe if Family Members Have the Vaccine
Some of the adults in your family may have gotten the vaccine, but that doesn’t mean it will provide 100% protection against COVID-19. The CDC says that you still need to wear a mask, social distance, avoid crowds, avoid poorly ventilated spaces, and wash your hands constantly even if you have gotten the vaccine. You shouldn’t go back to living like we did before the pandemic even if some members of your family are vaccinated, because the vaccine does not work as well against the variants, and doesn’t provide complete immunity. The vaccine is like masks - it provides an extra layer of protection but isn’t 100% effective.
It will be exciting for those who are going back to school this March/April to see each other in-person again, but people need to keep in mind that the virus is still out there and infecting lots of people. If you follow the above recommendations it will help keep coronavirus from spreading and schools from shutting down again.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Frequently Asked Questions: Do I need to wear a mask and avoid close contact with others if I have gotten 2 doses of the vaccine?: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html#mask
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Guidance for Wearing Masks: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Masks Protect You & Me: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/masks-protect-you-and-me.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Social Distancing: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - When and How to Wash Your Hands: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
MSNBC - Coronavirus mutations put vaccines in race to reduce amount of virus worldwide (Video): https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/coronavirus-mutations-put-vaccines-in-race-to-reduce-amount-of-virus-worldwide-101324357821
Image: https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/birmingham/2020/11/13/birmingham-schools-returns-fully-virtual-amid-red-covid-19-status/6277549002/