NC Schools Should Return To In-Person Learning: Gov. Cooper

CHARLOTTE, NC — Citing stabilizing numbers of new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper issued a call Tuesday for schools across the state to return to in-person learning in classrooms.

While Cooper stressed that the decision ultimately is that of local school boards, many in the state criticized his comments without prioritizing teachers in the state's vaccination plan at a time when more virulent strains of the coronavirus are emerging in the state.

"At least 90 of our 115 school districts are providing in-person instruction for some or all of their students. What’s new is that research done right here in North Carolina tells us in-person learning is working and that students can be in classrooms safely with the right safety protocols," Cooper said at a news conference Tuesday.

"Students should still have the option of remote learning this school if that is best for them," Cooper added. "And teachers who are at risk should be providing that remote instruction. But students who are ready to return to the classrooms should have that chance."

Cooper's comments come as the state reported nearly 3,000 new COVID-19 virus cases Tuesday, increasing the state's tally of known cases to more than 764,000. As of Tuesday, at least 2,741 patients were hospitalized for coronavirus-related illness, marking the lowest number of hospitalizations in the state in more than a month. At least 9,409 deaths in the state are attributed to the coronavirus, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

The ongoing pandemic is exacerbating pressures on North Carolina schools, according to the state's top educator. "Even before the COVID crisis, the majority of our students were already behind in reading and math proficiency," Catherine Truitt, superintendent of public instruction, said Tuesday. "Imagine what has happened after nearly a year of remote learning."

Strong prevention measures, such as strict social distancing and frequent hand-washing, are pivotal in returning children to classrooms, DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said. "Children, particularly younger children, continue to be less likely to get and spread COVID-19 than adults," Cohen said. "When children do get COVID-19, most have very mild illness" and rarely develop severe symptoms," she added.

"Even with the thousands of students and teachers attending school in person across the state, we have seen few COVID-19 clusters in our public schools," Cohen said.

As of Tuesday, there were 843 active COVID-19 cases including at least 26 clusters in state child care facilities, and at least 1,160 cases and 51 clusters reported in K-12 schools. DHHS defines a cluster as five or more related cases.

The move to resume classes without prompt vaccination of educators drew sharp criticism from the state's largest public school employee advocacy organization.

“We, as [North Carolina Association of Educators] have said since the start of this pandemic that educators are eager to return to in-person instruction when it can be done safely. However, without the widespread vaccination of educators and strictly enforced social distancing, it is impossible for many schools to open safely, and for the schools that have been open, they need help,” NCAE President Tamika Walker Kelly said in a statement. “If Governor Cooper feels so strongly about resuming in-person instruction quickly, then he should support educators and immediately bring the full weight of his office to bear to get all educators vaccinated by the end of this month, just as 25 other states have been able to do."

Decisions meant to protect students and teachers should be made by local school boards and based upon local conditions, Kelly said.

"Particularly in light of the emerging and increasingly virulent strains of COVID, it is more critical than ever to have a flexible approach that can be adapted to whatever situation next emerges," Kelly said.

The decision to return to the classroom should remain a local one, Cooper said. "The State Board of Education, and I and others believe that it's important to have this local control. I believe that many, if not all, of the school boards will look very carefully at this and will make the decision going forward to get students back into the classroom."

The call for in-person instruction, however, is not expected to fast-track vaccinations for educators. Teachers are included in Group 3, which includes front-line essential workers.

"We want to get vaccinations to the entire population as quickly and as equitably as possible," Cooper said. "Teachers are in the group of essential workers, and they are up next in the priority."

North Carolina is currently vaccinating Group 2, which includes anyone 65 and older.

"I encourage everyone to be patient," Cohen said of the state's current vaccination effort. "The most important thing to remember about our vaccines right now is we do not have enough supply to reach everyone right now."

SEE ALSO:

• More Than 1K Iredell Students Quarantined, Isolated Due To COVID
• 5 Things To Know About Getting Vaccinated In North Carolina
  
• North Carolina Will See Increase In COVID-19 Vaccine Doses