Providing a Safe Environment for all to Learn
The pandemic has a longer-lasting impact than many people realize. Numerous racial and ethnic minority groups have been exposed to long-standing health and social inequities, increasing their risk of death from COVID-19. The virus disproportionately affects American Indian/Alaska Native people, Black people, and Hispanic people; these disparities have also been evident among children.
Children from all backgrounds might experience educational disadvantages if they lack access to in-person education, especially in low-resource countries. In some cases, students with these needs are less likely to have the technology needed for virtual learning. They will also rely more on school-provided services such as school meal programs, special education, counseling, and after-school programs. In addition, if schools are closed to in-person instruction, some parents and caregivers may not have the privilege to stay home to provide childcare and assist with virtual learning.
The COVID-19 outbreak has unfortunately left certain racial/ethnic groups at risk for a disproportionately high incidence of disease or serious related complications. Even among school-aged children, these health disparities are evident, suggesting that in-person instruction might pose a greater risk for COVID-19 to disproportionately affected populations.
Because of these reasons, health equity considerations regarding in-person instruction are an integral part of this complex decision-making process. School administrators, public health officials, and companies like WeShield can work together to assist schools in planning and implementing comprehensive prevention strategies. By engaging community partners to advocate for health equity, we can enable in-person learning in schools that serve racially and ethnically disadvantaged students.
For schools to adequately slow the spread of COVID-19 in the school and the community, they must receive the resources and technical assistance necessary. WeShield recognizes that the role of schools in promoting education and health equity for groups disproportionately affected by COVID-19 cannot remain overlooked. Therefore, we stand committed to providing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies to help keep our schools open and safe.
Join WeShield as we navigate the newest CDC operational strategy through phased prevention. As a leading distributor of personal protective equipment and medical supplies, we remain dedicated to providing the essential items needed to stay safe and giving the public critical Covid-19 updates. Stay tuned for our next article, where we cover more of the CDC’s proposed prevention strategies in schools.