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639 Operating Schools During COVID-19: CDC Guidelines
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639 Operating Schools During COVID-19: CDC Guidelines

Schools Support the Whole Child

K-12 school administrators may consider strategies to:

  • Reinforce use of masks (refer to Guidance for K-12 School Administrators on the Use of Masks in Schools for more information). Masks are not personal protective equipment and should not be worn instead of respiratory protection when respirators are required.
Group of children standing socially distanced in a grassy field. All of the children are wearing masks.
Implement social distancing measures and cohorting.
  • Implement social distancing measures and cohorting.
  • Institute flexible leave policies. Ensure that policies encourage sick employees to stay at home without fear of retaliation.
  • Minimize elevator use, wherever possible, and encourage the use of stairs. Review CDC's Considerations for Schools, FAQ for School Administrators on Reopening Schools, and COVID-19 Employer Information for Office Buildings for information related to safely using elevators during the pandemic.

Protecting Staff at Higher Risk

Man with finger in the air stands next to a bookcase and white board.
Consider strategies for protecting staff at higher risk for severe illness.

Consider strategies for protecting staff at higher risk for severe illness.

  • Offer options for staff at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 (e.g., telework, virtual teaching opportunities, modified job responsibilities, or temporary reassignment to different job responsibilities). Administrators may also consider extending these options to staff with a household member at a higher risk of severe illness if exposed to COVID-19.
  • Investigate reasonable accommodations that could offer protection to an individual whose disability puts them at greater risk from COVID-19. Some accommodations may meet an employee's needs temporarily without causing undue hardship on the employer. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has established guidelines regarding Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The guidance enables employers to take steps to protect teachers and staff, consistent with CDC guidance.
  • Consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law, put in place policies to protect the privacy of people at higher risk for severe illness due to underlying medical conditions.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

2-4. What is a potential strategy for protecting staff at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness?

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