In the latest data, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday updated its guidelines for the physical distancing of children in schools, recommending that most of them be at least 1 meter (exactly 0.91 meters) away from each other. Previously the instruction recommended a distance of at least 1.8 meters.
The CDC published three new studies supporting this change, as long as everyone wears masks and respects other preventative measures in force. Another study recently published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases found that there was no difference in Covid-19 rates between schools that applied a distance of about 1 meter and those that applied a distance of 2 meters. (The study was conducted in several schools in Massachusetts).
However, this only works if schools are taking further steps. This includes the use of masks by everyone and correctly, regular hand washing, cleaning to maintain a healthy environment, quick tests, etc.
Experts say the study's findings could allow more schools to open, or open to more students. However, some teachers' unions in the US say they want to have more scientific information about the decision and express concern about the lack of implementation of necessary measures in some schools.
Source: CNN
