New York City, Los Angeles plans to reopen schools amid sustained decline in Covid infections

In USA, New York City and Los Angeles, the two largest US public school districts, yesterday announced plans to fully reopen schools amid a sustained decline in COVID-19 infections and rise in vaccinations.

 

New York's 1.1 million public school students have adopted different learning practices so far this year. Some have split their time between school and home, while others are still being taught full time by "remote learning". New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that neither of those options will be offered as of September.

 

In Los Angeles County, all students in elementary, middle and high schools - more than 600,000 pupils - would be allowed to attend class full time.



District superintendent Austin Beutner said that they expect the vast majority of students, teachers and staff to be at school every day but recognize that they must also provide the online opportunity for those who need it.

 

Nationwide, the number of new infections fell to a seven-day average of 22,877 on Sunday. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of the US population has had at least one dose of a vaccine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also approved the Pfizer Inc. coronavirus vaccine for children as young as 12 years old, while Moderna Inc said it planned to seek approval of its vaccine for children, as well.