Immunity and COVID

The basic foundation of knowledge being imparted to a child is the school. It helps and builds the mental and social health of the children and makes them responsible humans for the future. The current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted this system to the greatest extend. As a part of preventive measures schools are mostly closed for more than one year. In some parts of the world, schools have stated re-opening, but still a lot of hesitation, fear and anxiety are there among parents regarding sending kids to school. The in-person education system has almost changed to the digitalized system. This long period of in-person learning loss is adversely affecting the physical and mental health of both the parents and children and depriving them of a year of vital skill development.

In a study in the US, it was reported that despite the exposure to 7,000 COVID-19 –positive children and adults, only 363 other children were infected. This was owed to proper vaccination among children of 12 years and above and proper use of masks throughout. ¹

In Italy, a combined cross-sectional and cohort study was carried out in September 2020 and February 2021, which states that reopening schools for in-person learning did not contribute to the second wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections.²

CDC has suggested the implementation of a layered approach to promoting safer in-person learning and care. These involve, promoting vaccination to maximum working staffs, consistent and proper use of masks, maintaining physical distancing, prompt screening testing in schools, hand washing and respiratory etiquette and improved ventilation should be prioritized.³

For going to school, parents need to be vigilant and advised not to send their kids to school if they have a temperature of 38 ⁰C or more. If any child been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, they should not go to school and stay at home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, and routine cleaning with disinfection under certain conditions.³

In India, there is a mixed reaction among parents. Currently, as per the latest survey conducted by community social media platform Local Circles the COVID-19 infection rate has reduced 44% in India. As per the recent updates, in India, 53% of parents are in support of reopening schools in August-September and opting for sending their children to school in person. Parents who are willing to send children to school include those who are unable to avail online classes or are finding them not as effective as in-person classes. But still, there are many parents who, due to safety concerns are not willing to send children to schools.^1,4

Experts’ state that younger children were at a lower risk of getting infected as their ACE-2 receptors in the lungs were not so developed which makes the virus difficult to enter, still, precautions should to taken against the delta variant. Surveys state that in India, state governments have their own discretion and many states have set up committees to decide on reopening, with optional student attendance.⁵

According to some of the Local Circles, global epidemiologists have advised few important factors for re-opening schools, which include (a) vaccination of every staff member, (b) good ventilation in classrooms including air purifiers in each class, (c) mandatory masking of KN95 or N95 (no cloth mask), (d) seating with physical distancing, (e) no big indoor gatherings, and (f) Random RAT testing of staff and students. Also, they stated that if the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) was above 2-3%, immediately schools should be shut down and online classes should be resuming. About 74% of parents who are opting for school re-opening suggested that schools should be well equipped with sufficient RAT kits from their district administration.¹

In India, even after 18 months of a long pandemic, still maintain social distancing and proper ventilation remains a matter of concern. Hence, vaccination to the maximum to all schools staffs and children under the age criteria seems to be the best protective measures, additionally, schools being conducted outdoor, in spacious and well-ventilated setup may also help to bring back the normal phase of school life and give relief to the whole society at large.

REFERENCES

1. Harris DN, Zieden E, Hassig SN. The Effects of School Reopenings on COVID-19 Hospitalizations. Technical Report from the National Center for Research on Education. Accessed June 30, 2021. https://www.reachcentered.org/publications/the-effects-of-school-reopenings-on-covid-19-hospitalizationsexternal icon
2. Science Brief: Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs – Updated: Cente for Diseases Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases; 2021 [updated July 9, 2021; cited 2021 22-Aug-21]. Available from: https://cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/transmission_k_12_schools.html#background.
3. Safe at school: On getting students back on campus. The Hindu. 2021 August 12, 2021 ; Available from: Safe at school: The Hindu Editorial on getting students back on campus - The Hindu
4. Survey says 53% parents in India support reopening of schools in Aug-September: The News Minute; 2021 [updated 18-Aug-21; cited 2021 21-Aug-21]. Available from: https://thenewsminute.com/article/survey-says-53-parents-india-support-reopening-schools-aug-september-154079
5. Guthrie B. Schools can reopen safely – an epidemiologist describes what works and what’s not worth the effort: The Conversation Media Group Ltd; 2021 [updated 17-Aug-21,cited on 22-Aug-21]. Available from: https://theconversation.com/schools-can-reopen-safely-an-epidemiologist-describes-what-works-and-whats-not-worth-the-effort-165594.