RE-OPENING SCHOOLS: EXPERT TASK FORCE (ROSE)
Both the argument and the process for re-opening schools are multi-faceted and they cross a range of development stages. Childhood trauma damage looms in all directions. Historic decisions should be based on science and data, addressing many complex and competing risks.
Stunningly, to-date, the lack of a coordinated national response to Covid-19 has created broad inefficiency and ineffectiveness, maybe most notably in the “absent” plan for population-testing for the virus. That same laissez-faire approach to a national attack now threatens to disregard the growing data about the nation-wide dangers and trauma-inducing experiences of when and how to re-open schools.
School re-opening guidelines should be developed by experts, trauma-informed experts, across an array of domains; the leaders in knowledge and experience in their fields. The weighty, strategic decisions and their implementation approaches would be tackled most effectively with a multi-faceted team of, national or even international, authorities on the competing dangers, in open discussions and planning, as a cohesive group.
A “Re- Open Schools Experts” task force (ROSE task force) could demonstrate how our nation values children. Conversely a more cavalier approach could have states and districts competing again for scarce resources, and worse, lacking knowledge, making a patchwork of decisions on whim and hearsay and emotion.
