Chinanews.com, September 30. According to the US "World Journal" report, the physical classes of public schools in New York City will be fully resumed this week. Pre-kindergarten to fifth grade and pre-kindergarten to eighth grade schools will resume classes today. Middle and high schools will also be held in October local time Classes will resume on the 1st, and 500,000 students are expected to return to campus.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said that although the city’s single-day COVID-19 positive rate rebounded to more than 3%, the seven-day average positive rate was only 1.38%, which did not exceed the 3% warning line, so the resumption of public schools will continue.
From next week, the city government will launch random testing activities in its public schools throughout the city, urging students to participate actively and expand the testing volume.
Bai Sihao said that the quality of physical education is the highest, and he is very happy that faculty, staff and students can overcome difficulties and resume classes.
Education Director Richard Carranza said that the Education Bureau will pay close attention to the epidemic and put the health of students and teachers first.
The New York City Council previously stated that public schools will suspend classes if the city's positive rate exceeds 3%.
Bai Sihao clarified that the 3% here refers to the 7-day average positive rate, not the single-day positive rate.
At present, the city’s seven-day average positive rate is 1.38%. Although it has risen, it is still below the 3% warning line. Therefore, public schools will resume classes as usual.
He said that the current rebound of the epidemic is still limited to 9 communities in Brooklyn and Queens. Although the seven-day average positive rate in these communities has exceeded 3%, the city government will not close public schools in these communities. The city's indicators are determined.
He also said that current data show that there are no cases of infection in public schools in these communities, and most public school students are not from communities where the epidemic has rebounded, so the current risk is low.
Bai Sihao said that the municipal government will carry out monthly random testing activities in public schools in the city from next week. He appealed to students to sign up, but they must show their parents' consent letter.
The test is safe, free, and convenient. It does not use uncomfortable nasal sampling, but takes samples from the throat.
In addition, the city government previously launched the "Learning Bridges" project, which plans to provide free nursing services to 100,000 students in need, and take online classes under the supervision of adults in nursing centers to help parents who need to return to work resolve their worries.
(He Zhaoyu)