Some NJ Schools Opened while Some Continued Distance Learning: Dr. Stephanie Silvera Weighs In
Posted in: College News and Events, Public Health
Some New Jersey school districts are reconsidering plans to start in-person classes amid a worrying second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, while others press on with plans to bring students and staff back into classrooms.
Dr. Stephanie Silvera, Professor in the Public Health Department, weighs in on this for the Burlington County Times. “It’s hard to say whether the current reported number of cases traced to schools — fewer than 100 — is a sign of success because of incomplete data,” Dr. Silvera noted.
Going forward, the number of in-person learners could grow as more schools open their doors and some families decide to switch from remote to in-person learning, Silvera said.
“The more people you come into contact with, the more you see a spread,” she said.
“The risk is different by county,” Silvera said. “Essex, Hudson, Morris and Union have infection rates above 1.3%. Hunterdon and Cape May are significantly lower than 1. You still have to be mindful, but you do need to talk about this as a local issue and not just a statewide issue.”