Gov. Phil Murphy quadrupled down on his stance this week that he’s not ready to declare a statewide school closure. Despite surging COVID-19 cases nationwide, he is not alone in his thinking.
No state has ordered all schools to close this fall due to rising coronavirus cases, according to a 50 state tracking tool created by Education Week. And fewer than 10 states are operating with restrictions on in-person instruction, although New Mexico allowed only elementary schools to reopen in August.
Murphy’s wait-and-see approach, allowing schools to remain open until local health data dictates their closure, appears largely in line with the nation’s other governors.
“These numbers are lower than I believe anyone could have anticipated,” Murphy said Thursday of the 192 known COVID-19 cases tied to in-school transmission.
How long it can stay that way remains unclear.
The state reported 3,517 new coronavirus cases Thursday — the fourth time in six days the state added more than 3,000 positive tests. And some school districts that opened their buildings this fall — including Elizabeth Public Schools, which has invited back only teachers and some special education students — have been hit with waves of closures forced by COVID-19 transmission occurring outside of schools.
Educationally, it make sense to keep schools open as long as possible, said Stephanie Silvera, an epidemiologist and professor of public health at Montclair State University. Despite little evidence that New Jersey schools are a major source of outbreaks, they are ultimately at the mercy of their communities, she said.
“I think initially, yes, we can focus on local communities for these school shutdowns," Silvera said. "As we get further and deeper into the winter, I am just not sure it is a sustainable model.”
Murphy shot down a rumor that he would close all schools from late November until late January as a preventative measure with the holidays approaching. Other states are also trying to keep students in classrooms, despite the rising cases.
Connecticut’s top health and education officials advised school districts this week that they did not feel “arbitrary, date-based closures of school are warranted.” And Missouri Gov. Mike Parson loosened quarantine rules to allow students considered to be “close contacts” to continue attending in-person courses as long as they wear a mask.
In the absence of state directives, local leaders have been left to make difficult decisions.
“All the heat is on us, and it’s taking a toll on superintendents," said Robert Zywicki, superintendent of schools in Mount Olive Township, where two schools are temporarily closed and more than 40 teachers are quarantined.
Ultimately, how long schools can stay open during the second wave in New Jersey will be determined by the public’s priorities, Silvera said.
“I do think we are heading into having more things shut down again, whether that is restaurants or bars or gyms or schools," she said. "And at a certain point, we have to decide which of those is most important to be open. I don’t see them all being able to stay open.”
Murphy has already tightened restrictions on bars and restaurants, limiting the hours of operation for indoor service. The state has also temporarily banned interstate indoor sports for elementary, middle and high school students.
On Thursday, state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli called the recent spike in cases “a wake-up call.” And she issued a warning to anyone who wants to keep schools and businesses open.
“We need your help," Persichilli said. "If we continue on this trajectory, our state will return to the situation we were in last spring.”
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Adam Clark may be reached at aclark@njadvancemedia.com. Have a news tip or a story idea about New Jersey schools? Send it here.
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Murphy won’t close N.J. schools yet. He’s not alone in his decision. - NJ.com
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