Right now, we are in one of the most unprecedented times in modern history. Nothing quite like the COVID-19 has happened within our lifetime (and hopefully will never happen again). Due to this, everyone from business owners to government officials is scrambling to figure out exactly what needs to be done. This includes reopening schools for students. While this is a tricky topic, many healthcare professionals are now weighing in with concerns about opening too soon and the potential hazards that come with children being exposed to the pandemic. As a medical professional, Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. has studied the data surrounding the onset and spread of the pandemic and feels compelled to weigh in on the matter from a professional, educated standpoint.

1. WHEN SHOULD
SCHOOLS
REOPEN?
Presented by Wayne Emerson
Gregory Jr.

2. Welcome, all !

3. WHEN SHOULD
SCHOOLS REOPEN?
Right now, we are in one of the most unprecedented times in modern
history. Nothing quite like the COVID-19 has happened within our
lifetime (and hopefully will never happen again). Due to this,
everyone from business owners to government officials is scrambling
to figure out exactly what needs to be done. This includes reopening
schools for students. While this is a tricky topic, many healthcare
professionals are now weighing in with concerns about opening too
soon and the potential hazards that come with children being
exposed to the pandemic. As a medical professional, Wayne Emerson
Gregory Jr. has studied the data surrounding the onset and spread
of the pandemic and feels compelled to weigh in on the matter from
a professional, educated standpoint.

4. WHEN SHOULD
SCHOOLS ACTUALLY
REOPEN?
There is no cut and dry answer to this question. No matter
what, there will be pros and cons with the decisions that
must be made. At the end of the day, we are being forced
to weigh the health of students, educators, school
secondary staff, and parents against the need for in-person
education and normalcy. While it is a painful transition for
some, many medical professionals believe that pushing
children back into schools too soon could cause a massive
spike in cases.
A SERIOUS RISK
As a medical professional, Wayne Emerson Gregory knows about common
child tendencies. Even on a personal level, we all can recall being a child
and playing schoolyard games. This, of course, includes things like “tag”
where you race and touch the other person. The contact play is common
with children and we must acknowledge that teachers are not paid to
restrain an entire classroom of children from simply being children. They
are paid to educate and expecting them to navigate an active pandemic
with a dozen or more children is not entirely feasible.Children, especially
younger ones, do not understand the very real risk COVID-19 poses. With
that in mind, we can expect that they will not follow the protocol set in
place to keep them safe and reduce the potential spread of this novel
coronavirus. What four-year-olds do you know that will keep a mask on
for an eight hour school day and not touch their face? They are
certainly few and far between

5. A TIERED APPROACH
While there is no personal answer, if you asked Wayne Emerson
Gregory Jr., what he personally believes to be the best answer, it
would be a tiered approach to reopening schools. Start with the older
kids, the ones who are high school-aged, and have the best
understanding of what is acceptable. Let them attend in person first
then, if cases continue to remain the same or decline, perhaps begin
introducing the younger children. It is a concept based around
maturity that he believes is the most feasible since older students
can comprehend the risks more.
Even if this approach is taken, the option for online learning should
be given, as well. Working to provide structured online learning across
the board is a great way to ensure students can still get the help
they need and understand the work they are given. After-hours
tutoring via private or small-group Zoom classes for those in need of
assistance or assigned study partners would increase socialization and
work to offer extra learning opportunities, as well.
WAITING FOR THE
DECLINE
Right now, we are in no position to open the schools back up. The data
points to a massive potential increase in cases once schools reopen if we
do it too soon. In fact, many areas that have already reopened are
regretting the decision after seeing the impact. These cases could include
elderly family members, immunocompromised people like those with cancer,
and anyone with comorbidities.Even healthy twenty-somethings are
getting seriously ill from COVID. Due to the unpredictable nature of this
virus, it is best to be extra cautious and hold off for now, even if it
means just until the spring semester. If we all come together and push
hard for the following of guidelines, we can overcome the presence of
this virus. Humanity has seen worse before and pulled through.

6. THE TAKEAWAY
In his personal medical opinion, Wayne Emerson
Gregory Jr., believes that it is best to wait until we
have more information or the ability to decrease the
viral threat that this pandemic poses. Opening
schools right now could cause a serious surge in
cases, if data and medical prediction statistics are
to be believed. Now is the time to fight through the
careful following of guidelines and social distancing.
We can and will overcome this, it is just a matter of
figuring out exactly how.