CDC has enforced new distancing guidelines concerning the teachers and students in the classroom setting. However, the teachers union American Federation of Teachers is skeptical about the agency's new idea. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a new guideline adjusting the original six feet physical distance into three feet for students.

The new distancing guidelines follow the effort of the Biden administration in reopening schools. President Joe Biden has included this project in his American plan, wherein the education sector will receive a budget for reoperation or in-person classes.

Teachers Union on New Distancing Guidelines

The teachers union argued that the science reinforcing the agency's decision on the sudden shift of distancing guidelines is not for everyone. U.S. News and World Report noted that the unique challenges most of the urban school districts face were not taken into account.

The new distancing guidelines of CDC states that elementary schools should maintain at least 3 feet of physical distancing. On the other hand, middle school and high school should maintain at least 3 feet physical distancing if they are in an area with low, moderate, or substantial community transmission. If in case a middle school or high school is in an area where community transmission is high, the physical distancing shall remain six feet.

"We are not convinced that the evidence supports changing physical distancing requirements at this time," said AFT president Randi Weingarten in a letter addressed to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.

Weingarten noted that their concern is that the studies do not identify the "baseline mitigation strategies" that are needed to support the three feet social distancing. "They [studies] were not conducted in our nation's highest density, and least resourced schools," said Weingarten adding that these schools have poor ventilation as well as crowding and structural challenges.

The six feet rule in social distancing has been the baseline and consistent prevention practice during the pandemic, quoted an Education Week report. However, policymakers even educators have pointed out that the traditional distance has made it a challenge to reopen the schools for all their students.

"Weakening one layer of layered mitigation demands that other layers must be strengthened," Weingertan continues. Weingarten also urged the agency to strengthen the adherence of the schools to other mitigation strategies.

New Distancing Guidelines

Apart from the new social distancing guidelines for students, the CDC also highlighted its role for educators and the activities that will be done in the classroom.

Six feet distance must be observed between the educators and students. Moreover, the same distance should also be observed when there are activities in the class such as singing, shouting, band, or sports and exercise. Such activities are recommended to be moved in an open area or well-ventilated spaces. Six feet distance must also be implemented when an individual is eating because masks are not required to be worn when doing that activity.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky noted that she has already spoken with the teachers union. Walensky added the educators know that they need to follow science and design guidelines, such as distancing guidelines based on that science. "They have been very respectful of that," said Walensky.

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