Middle School Editorial: Should schools reopen in the fall?

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the entire nation to shut down, and schools are no exception. Many students are learning online, using Zoom and other methods to continue to receive an education during the pandemic. Unfortunately, other students are unable to learn for the time being because of many different issues. Already, we are talking about closing schools in the fall if we do not fully resolve the virus in time. With so many issues with online schooling arising now, should we risk the pandemic stretching even longer in exchange for quality education?

For one thing, WiFi is necessary to be able to learn at home. Students with limited internet are forced to miss meetings and are unable to load assignments. Internet access is restricted in 14 percent of households with young children. Although there seem to be temporary solutions such as workbooks and take-home packets delivered by teachers, these are not effective enough to be continued in the fall.

Along with limited internet as an issue, isolation can take a toll on students. After a long period of feeling lonely, which many students are experiencing now, mental health can decline. Because people can no longer interact with each other, depression and anxiety are on the rise due to coronavirus and quarantine. Generally speaking, online school often does not meet a person’s social or emotional needs.

Because we want to resolve the COVID-19 pandemic, we must all do our part to self-isolate. If we do so, we may be able to open the schools in the fall. We should not go back to school in the fall, though, if we do not quarantine and the situation is not resolved.