Doctor says school closures due to pandemic may have lasting impacts on children
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Dr. Sean T. O'Leary with Children's Hospital Colorado said the consequences of closing schools again greatly outweighs the side-effects that COVID-19 has on children.
O'Leary said the impacts of closing schools multiple times last year are still looming. Some of those impacts include depression, isolation, child abuse, and hunger.
"So many high school students that were on track to graduate are no longer on track," said O'Leary. "Many kids of all ages are just not showing up for school."
In southern Colorado, those shutdowns began as early as March 2020 and continued on into the fall of that year.
The majority of elementary schools are reopened now, with many middle schools and high schools operating on a hybrid model. Compared to how other illnesses are handled, Dr. O’Leary said the state has taken drastic measures
“It’s not fair to say it’s completely benign in children, but it is on par with other childhood infections we’re used to dealing with, like influenza. We don't keep children out of school if influenza is circulating,” said O'Leary.
The Colorado Department of Public Health has revised it’s quarantine guidelines for schools in 2021. In the event of a quarantine, staff and students would only have to be out for 10 days versus the usual 14. In January alone, six schools in southern Colorado have reported outbreaks.
Dr. O’Leary said we are making strides forward, but the damage is done.
“The tragedy in this country of all of these deaths, over 400,000 deaths in this country alone. In the end, this pandemic still may have had the greatest impact on children because of this lost potential of a year of being in school.”
O'Leary said he is confident in social distancing and mask-wearing measures, and as more people get their Covid-19 vaccine, schools will be able to remain open.
Middle and high school students in southern Colorado are expected to return to in-person learning within the next few weeks.
