Safety tips for attending school during COVID-19

Date Updated: 08/14/2024

As with other illnesses that spread from person to person, COVID-19 outbreaks can happen in schools. There are ways your child's school can help prevent or stop infections. And there are ways you can help your family avoid getting sick.

Kids have about the same chance as adults of catching the virus that causes COVID-19. How often kids keep their germs to themselves is not clear. But there's at least some risk of a child bringing COVID-19 home from school and passing it to family members.

The good news is that schools and families can take actions to protect students' health, both every day and during illness outbreaks.

COVID-19 vaccines

In the U.S., everyone age 6 months and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines helps prevent serious COVID-19 illness, the need for hospital care due to COVID-19 and death from COVID-19. That's true for both adults and children.

To make sure all children have the chance to get a COVID-19 vaccine, your school may host a vaccine clinic. Or the school might send information on where to get a vaccine.

Airflow

The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads on the breath of people who are infected. When you're outside, the natural airflow makes it less likely the virus a person breathes out will infect you.

When you're inside, or in a vehicle, keeping fresh air moving into the space lowers the amount of germs in the air.

Opening windows can help, along with using fans to pull outside air into rooms. If you're in spaces where you can't open windows or if your outside air quality is bad, using an air purifier may be an option.

Hand-washing

Hand-washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds can help stop the spread of germs at home and in school. For kids and adults who tend to hurry, keep washing until you sing the entire "Happy Birthday" song twice, which takes about 20 seconds.

Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water aren't available.

Have your child cover the mouth and nose with an elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Then throw the tissue in the trash and wash the hands right away. Remind your child to avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth.

Schools can make hand-washing easier by making sure all the supplies are ready for use.

Also, schools can build in time for kids and staff to wash hands. It's time well spent before eating, after going to the bathroom, or after coughing, sneezing or blowing the nose.

Wearing face masks

Face masks can protect you from breathing in germs. Face masks also can protect others from breathing in your germs if you're sick.

Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth, fits your face without gaps, and is comfortable for you to wear all day.

When the germs that cause COVID-19 are spreading in your area, masks can lower the risk of infection. But some people may choose to wear masks at other times.

Schools can support masking in a few ways.

Teach students and staff about why people may choose to wear a face mask.
Accommodate people who can't wear masks due to a disability.
Provide access to clear masks that allow for lip reading.

Don't place a face mask on a child younger than age 2 or a person with a disability who can't safely wear a mask. It can be hard to find a mask that fits a child's face so be prepared to try more than one if needed.

Some masks may have instructions on how to make them fit without gaps. And you may need to teach your child how to put the mask on or take it off correctly.

When the COVID-19 virus spread is high

Getting a vaccine, having good airflow and following good hygiene habits such as washing hands are basic steps to protect from infection. Wearing a face mask also may be part of your typical response.

But other actions may be needed during an outbreak of COVID-19. If the level of illness in the community is high, other steps can help manage the risk of getting sick.

Schools and health agencies may communicate actions parents and caregivers can expect schools to take during this time.
Schools may ask parents to look for certain symptoms.
Schools may change the policy for when a person who is ill can come back to school. Some schools may test people who don't have symptoms to screen for COVID-19.
Schools may put teachers and kids into separate groups, called cohorting. That way even if people in one group get sick, those in other groups may not.
Schools may change where classes are held, focus on being outside or increase space between kids within the classroom.

What to do if your child has COVID-19

Your child's school likely has a policy about illness and school attendance, but in general, there are some symptoms that are best managed at home. This includes fever, vomiting and loose stools, also called diarrhea. People with these symptoms are likely able to spread whatever germ they have.

If your child has COVID-19, talk to your child's healthcare professional. Most children recover quickly without serious illness.

Also, contact the school. Make sure you understand the school's policy on when your child can return to school.

Once your child is feeling better, the policy for getting back in the classroom may be clarified by the school. But generally, people can get back to their daily activities if the following are true.

They haven't had a fever for 24 hours without taking medicine for fever.
Respiratory symptoms are getting better.
They can eat and drink without throwing up.
Stools are back to what are typical.

Preventing illness in schools

No one can avoid all germs, but there are ways to help lower the risk of illness.

Teaching good hygiene helps keep your child from missing school due to illness and helps keep your family safe from germs that could travel home.

Another option may be to get involved at your child's school. Learn about the school's policies on how to manage illnesses so you understand the risks and how to lessen them.