The school system in New York City - the largest in the United States - plans to return students to the classroom in September through a combination of in-person tutoring and online education.
The city's education department said it will provide appropriate personal protective equipment for students and staff, and most of them will be required to wear masks indoors.
And in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott's office said protective equipment had been distributed to schools, which included more than 59 million masks, more than 500,000 face shields, nearly 2,199,000 liters of hand sanitizer and tens of thousands of thermometers.
Protective equipment
Many US states and counties have also expressed efforts to provide personal protective equipment, but some teachers are concerned about when and what types of such equipment will arrive.
Writers Kate King and Caitlin McCabe said in their report - published by the American "Wall Street Journal" (WSJ) newspaper - that teachers are in the process of storing face masks, to protect themselves and their students from the Corona virus, with some American schools opening their doors.
Many states and educational institutions say they will provide personal protective equipment to those who need it, but some teachers say they have not received anything yet, and do not know what kind of protective supplies will be or when.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (a US official body) stressed the need to use face masks when inside and when it is difficult to maintain the recommended distance, and it is also suggested that schools be keen on continuous cleaning, washing hands or sterilizing them regularly.
A report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine in America in mid-July supports the principle of reopening schools full-time, especially for young students and those with special needs.
Schools have recommended providing surgical masks to teachers and staff, as well as creating places for washing hands or providing sterilizers.
The report also suggests reorganizing the classroom to enhance social distancing, and improve cleaning and ventilation techniques.
The researchers found that the widespread use of masks could be an integral part of helping prevent the spread of the virus, based on the experience of some schools that reopened their doors abroad.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that teachers, staff and students should be careful to wear face masks made of cloth whenever possible, because they help reduce the spread of the virus, and may provide some protection for the wearer.
In turn, Anthony Fauci, the chief infectious disease expert in the United States, said during a recent hypothetical discussion with the Teachers Union that in addition to the mask, teachers can consider wearing goggles or face shield.
Face shield
Face shields can significantly reduce short-term exposure to larger aerosol particles, but are less effective against smaller particles that researchers believe can remain buoyant in the air for longer and can be inhaled due to the gaps between the condom and the face.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend face shields for daily activities or as an alternative to masks, noting that there is no evidence of their effectiveness in limiting the spread of the virus.
Researchers believe that the most effective masks are multilayer masks that comfortably fit the shape of the face, and researchers are also increasingly looking into the possibility that some readily available masks could provide personal protection as well.