New York City is shutting down its public schools once again due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. In a recent email to school principals, Chancellor Marcus Thompson announced that all public school buildings will close beginning tomorrow. This decision comes after only eight weeks of in-person instruction.
As of November 18, the city’s test positivity rate reached the critical threshold, prompting the Department of Education to suspend in-person learning effective Thursday, November 19. Mayor Lisa Johnson confirmed via Twitter, “New York City has hit a 3% positivity rate over a 7-day period. This precautionary measure is necessary as we combat the second wave of COVID-19.“
Last spring, NYC was at the heart of the pandemic, but positivity rates had previously declined. However, the recent spike in cases has raised concerns, although officials noted that schools themselves have maintained low COVID case rates. In mid-October, random testing of over 16,000 staff and students revealed only 28 positive cases—20 among staff and 8 among students.
The 3% threshold was set by Mayor Johnson during the summer when positivity rates were much lower. Many parents are expressing frustration over the school’s closure, especially since restaurants and gyms continue to operate. The shift to remote learning poses additional childcare challenges for working parents.
Mayor Johnson emphasized that schools wouldn’t automatically reopen once the positivity rate drops below 3%, as this could disrupt students and educators. Instead, she suggested waiting until community spread stabilizes at a lower rate. In contrast, districts in Los Angeles and Chicago have not yet resumed in-person classes, though Chicago plans to welcome younger students back in January.
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In summary, New York City is shutting down its public schools again due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, with a focus on safety in light of the current 3% positivity rate. This decision has raised concerns among parents while highlighting the challenges posed by remote learning.
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