Yesterday, we published a blog post on Facebook regarding the return to schools this fall. We regret that our message was interpreted as cavalier and divisive. We, and the American Association of Pediatrics, do not recommend a complete return to in-person instruction if it means that sufficient protections against COVID-19 will not be in place. The decision on when and how to return to in-person instruction should not be political, and it should be solely informed by science. To quote Dr. Sally Goza, President of the AAP, “When public health expertise is reframed to fit political interests, it harms those who have the most at stake and the least opportunity to advocate for themselves: children.”

We at Panorama Pediatrics endorse the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines for reopening schools, available here:

https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/

 We recognize that children, especially those under age ten, experience far fewer and less severe symptoms, as well as a much lower contagiousness than seen in adults. We stress the importance of social and emotional learning that occurs primarily in schools. We acknowledge the role of schools in mitigating racial and social inequities, with this situation especially harming families relying on schools for lunches, internet, childcare, and other services.

However, to realize these benefits without unnecessary risk to students, staff and families, there will clearly need to be substantial new investments in schools as well as access to information from experts to make sure that stringent guidelines can be established and followed.

All the doctors in our office have children, and we certainly have seen the effects of this pandemic firsthand. We recognize and empathize with the struggle that so many parents and teachers are facing in these difficult times.

Safe in-person instruction is the ultimate goal, but we must work diligently and efficiently in order to make that a reality. The decision to reopen schools is not one-size-fits-all, and it must be done in a scientifically informed, nonpolitical manner to ensure a reopening that is safe for all students, teachers, staff, and families.

Please wear a mask,

The Panorama Pediatric Group family