Thread by @MonicaGandhi9

Can't imagine a more pressing issue of the day as to get schools open full-time for children. This op-ed I wrote with the excellent @TracyBethHoeg and @doctortara stresses that the CDC misinterpreted their own MMWR-published study on WI schools in guidance
usatoday.com/story/opinion/…

Four points:
1) Children are not at significant risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19. As of March 3, 2021, 286 children have died from COVID in the U.S. (similar to number who die of influenza) compared to >520,000 adults. MIS-C rare, treatable
2) Viral spread in schools

with appropriate mitigation rare. Dr. Hoeg led study of > 4,876 grade K-12 students & 654 staff members in Wisconsin school districts in the fall of 2020 during time of high community prevalence (up to 41.6% in the community). during the study. Despite majority of ventilation

systems not being replaced, with 92% of students wearing masks (no wearing during recess), and with variable distancing only, 7 students (5 children grade K-6, and 2 in grade 7-12) and ZERO staff who contracted virus in school
3) No science supports mandating 6 feet distance

with children wearing masks. A 6 foot distance between students creates space constraints for schools to open in entirety. There is data supporting at least 3 foot distancing. See editorial
4) Despite fear-mongering regarding variants in the U.S., no evidence that variants

spreading through in-person schools. France, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium demonstrate K-12 schools can remain fully open even as UK variant becomes dominant. Masks and >3 feet distancing will protect against variants.
CDC guidelines should be revised IMMEDIATELY to open schools