Reporter roundtable: Schools and COVID-19
In this image made from video, an empty classroom is shown at David Ellis Academy in Detroit, Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. AP Photo/Mike Householder File
COVID cases in Illinois are continuing to surge with the omicron variant becoming the dominant strain of COVID-19. During the first week of 2022, the state recorded over 200,000 new cases, a record high, and a 57% increase over the previous week. Cases and hospitalizations amongst children are also reaching pandemic highs, especially amongst those 4 and younger who are not yet eligible for vaccines.
Meanwhile, school districts are again having to make tough decisions on how to conduct school. Last week, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced that they and the Illinois State Board of Education would align with the CDC’s updated guidance on quarantine times and isolation periods. To talk about it, we were joined by education reporters from around the state.
GUESTS:
Peter Medlin
Education reporter, WNIJ | Host of "Teachers' Lounge" podcast
Emily Hays
Reporter, Illinois Public Media
Sarah Karp
Education reporter, WBEZ
I could see ISBE changing this as soon as tomorrow. But *for now* Illinois schools still require 10 day quarantines. Read more via @willpublicmedia
— Emily Hays (@amihatt) January 7, 2022
https://t.co/spHuWVB4nV
Classes officially canceled. As the CPS shutdown stretches into a fourth day tomorrow, a major disagreement about who should be tested for COVID-19 is one major barrier preventing the Chicago Teachers Union and the school district from restarting classes. https://t.co/xhvdgMsup9
— WBEZeducation (@WBEZeducation) January 10, 2022
Prepared for web by Owen Henderson
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