CDC Releases New COVID-19 Guidelines Ending Quarantines, Social Distancing, Remote Learning and Testing in Schools

Quarantines, social distancing, remote learning, and screenings or tests will no longer be needed when schools re-open in the fall based on the new COVID-19 guidelines released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As of Thursday, Aug. 11, the CDC said that people exposed to the virus would not need to quarantine unless they are in high-risk settings like nursing homes or shelters. Essentially, students exposed to COVID-19 may also keep attending classes if they are not showing symptoms or are generally feeling well.

In a statement, CDC senior epidemiologist Greta Massetti said that Americans now have "a better understanding" of protecting each other, thus the decision to loosen the protocols. The country has also achieved 95 percent immunity through vaccinations or actual infections.

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Wearing of face mask is still encouraged

However, the CDC also said that students and school workers are still encouraged to wear a face mask, especially if there are high transmission rates in the community. Students who have been exposed and choose to come to class are expected to mask up for ten days, even if they have been vaccinated or have had the infection.

Testing for COVID-19 may only be implemented in schools with high-risk activities, such as close-contact sports, proms, dances, or field trips. The tests should apply to all, whether the student has been vaccinated or not, per NPR.

The new COVID-19 guidelines, however, remain the same for those who tested positive or experienced the symptoms like cough, sore throat, and fever. They will need to isolate for five days and then regularly check if they are still positive for COVID-19.

However, this doesn't mean that the students should keep isolating themselves until they get a negative test result. They can go out and wear a face mask while attending classes.

Teachers, parents welcome the new guidelines and warn of outbreaks

Following the CDC's announcement, schools across the U.S. are reviewing their policies to implement in the new school season. 

Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, said that this is a welcome change after more than two years of dealing with the disruptions of the pandemic, per PBS.org. As children miss the normal school setting for more than two years, their learning experiences and development have been curtailed.

However, Anne Sosin, the public health administrator at Dartmouth College, said schools should still be prepared to face similar dilemmas as last year when teachers and staff members kept getting sick in large numbers. While everyone wants to return to pre-pandemic normality, schools should still enforce sound strategies, and governments must continue to invest and help the education sector.

Essentially, the CDC leaves it up to the individual to be responsible for their own health and safety decisions. The loosened protocols do not indicate that the pandemic is over, but the CDC believes people should learn to live with COVID-19 without any disruptions. Some parents said they look forward to the kids learning in a normal environment but also hope that people make smart decisions.  

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