Omicron Variant is Severely Impacting Schools Nationwide

Schools  are struggling to manage the rise in Coronavirus cases throughout the U.S..Health and safety concerns, lack of resources and increased absences have caused calls for virtual schooling from parents, staff and teachers across the country. 

Omicron, a variant of the Coronavirus,has surged rapidly throughout the U.S. since it first emerged in December 2021. Omicron has proven to cause less severe disease than the Delta variant. However the vaccine has also been proven to be less effective at stopping the infection compared to other COVID-19 variants. “Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody,” said Chief Medical advisor to the President of the United States, Dr. Anthony Fauci during a CNN interview.

Chicago public schools went through a days-long battle between the city and teachers union. Schools were closed for five days while the city and teachers came to an agreement. The district was adamant on not returning to virtual schooling, believing it is not in the best interest of students’ education. Ultimately they came to an agreement and students returned to school January 12th with expanded COVID-19 testing, KN95 masks provided and incentives to attract substitute teachers. As well as the agreement that if 30% of teachers are absent for two days in a row or if 40% of students are in quarantine at a particular school, those buildings will close for at least five days. 

Cleveland Ohio public schools had a week of virtual learning in early January due to a surge in cases. Charles County public schools in Maryland, Reading Pennsylvania school district and multiple New Jersey school districts have also gone virtual for a week or more in January due to the rising COVID-19 cases within their schools.

77% of school principals and district leaders have reported having difficulties finding enough substitutes to cover teacher absences according to a survey done by EdWeek Research Center. Some school officials have attributed the lack of substitutes to the worry of exposure to COVID-19. In addition to substitute shortages, lack of bus drivers has been a prevalent issue within school districts. January 4th the U.S. department of transportation announced  that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is allowing states the option of waiving the portion of the commercial driver’s license skills test that requires applicants to identify the “under the hood” engine components. “By allowing states to focus on the testing requirements that are critical to safety, we will get additional, qualified drivers behind the wheel to get kids to school safely,” Transportation Secratary Pete Butigieg said. 

Amid the rise in COVID-19 cases, lack of staff and safety concerns students are walking out in cities across the country protesting the in-person learning conditions within schools. Montgomery County Public Schools had student-led walkouts within many schools in the county, pleading for MCPS schools to go temporarily virtual, provide remote options and increased COVID-19 testing. “We are tired, exhausted, and frustrated.” said Chicago Public Schools’ Radical Youth Alliance in a letter of demands to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, CEO of Chicago Public Schools Pedro Martinez and Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady. 

Written by Elizabeth Mehler of Thomas S. Wootton High School

Photo by Arjun Rao of Poolesville High School