With the Omicron variant of Covid-19 emerging recently and spiking in cases over winter break, MCPS has been forced to make difficult and often controversial decisions. Although there were significant failures in how MCPS communicated to teachers, students, and parents, the best option is to keep schools open in-person unless a lack of staff necessitates schools to close for a week or two until there is again a sufficient number of teachers in their classrooms.

Originally, MCPS decided that if 5-percent of a school’s population tested positive for Covid-19, then the school would be evaluated and likely transition to virtual education for 14 days. This 5-percent threshold, which originally was advertised as indicative of a necessary closure, has been abandoned after receiving community backlash, new guidance from the Maryland Department of Health, and the majority of schools going over this mark. Instead, the county plans to analyze each school on a case by case basis to decide about closures.

For the 5-percent threshold, MCPS used a color system in which red indicated over 5-percent, yellow indicated between 3- and 5-percent, and green indicated under 3-percent. As red typically implies stop, this system caused panic, leading the community to assume a school would close immediately upon reaching the threshold. Despite MCPS’ communication blunders, their decision to eliminate the 5-percent rule was appropriate.

A primary reason for a shift to online school would be a shortage of teachers, bus drivers, and other staff. However, the percentage of the student body with Covid-19 is less impactful, as these students are staying home and learning asynchronously. The CDC has also stated that a temporary closure is unlikely to have a significant impact on the spread of Covid-19. As many recent studies indicate that the Omicron variant is extremely contagious but does not have severe symptoms for vaccinated and boosted children and adolescents, the most effective strategy for addressing this current spread is to let it run its course.

Of course, it is vital to recognize that there is danger to immuno-compromised students, elderly staff, and at-risk relatives of staff and students, but temporarily closing school is not going to protect these groups when the transmission is as great in the community as in the schools. It is necessary to continue promoting the use of vaccines, boosters, social distancing, masks, and other Covid-conscious practices to ensure the health of those vulnerable to Omicron.

Instead of shutting down schools, MCPS needs to put in more effort to decrease the spread of the virus. With the recent changes to the CDC’s guidelines on quarantining, many students have expressed confusion about how long to quarantine. Should they quarantine for 10 days after they test positive, 10 days after their symptoms start, or five days? MCPS needs to make its expectations clear, release guidelines for quarantining, and advertise them to every school in the country so there is no confusion or excuse for students to return to school and further spread the virus before their proper quarantining period has ended.

The county’s recent distribution of rapid tests for students and staff to test themselves at home, the requirement of a negative test to return to extracurricular activities, and the promise of providing more effective masks are steps in the right direction, but these simple measures are not enough. Not only encouraging students to get vaccinated, but requiring vaccines for extracurricular activities in addition to sports is a way the county can continue fighting Omicron. Despite the ongoing spike of Covid-19, the detriments of prolonged school closures outweigh the benefits, and the ideal strategy for MCPS at this point is to maintain their current decision and continue efforts to stop the virus’ spread.