CDC releases guidelines for re-opening schools. Does anyone recognize this country anymore? Here are some rules the kids and staff must abide by in order to attend school next year (if it opens). • Steps 1 and 2 o Ensure that classes include the same group of children each day and that the same child care providers remain with the same group each day, if possible.  o Restrict mixing between groups. o Cancel all field trips, inter-group events, and extracurricular activities (Step 1). o Limit gatherings, events, and extracurricular activities to those that can maintain social distancing, support proper hand hygiene, and restrict attendance of those from higher transmission areas (Step 2; Note: restricting attendance from those in Step 1 areas). o Restrict nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving other groups at the same time. o Space out seating and bedding (head-to-toe positioning) to six feet apart if possible. o Close communal use spaces, such as game rooms or dining halls, if possible; if this is not possible, stagger use and disinfect in between uses. o If a cafeteria or group dining room is typically used, serve meals in classrooms instead. Put each child’s meal on a plate, to limit the use of shared serving utensils and ensure the safety of children with food allergies. o Stagger arrival and drop-off times or put in place other protocols to limit direct contact with parents as much as possible. Here is another section on masks: • Teach and reinforce use of face coverings among all staff. Face coverings may be challenging for students (especially younger students) to wear in all-day settings such as school. Face coverings should be worn by staff and encouraged in students (particularly older students) if feasible and are most essential in times when physical distancing is difficult. Information should be provided to staff and students on proper use, removal, and washing of cloth face coverings. Face coverings are not recommended for babies or children under the age of 2, or for anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the covering without assistance. Cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected (many people carry COVID-19 but do not have symptoms). Cloth face coverings are not surgical masks, respirators, or personal protective equipment. • Avoid sharing electronic devices, toys, books, and other games or learning aids. • Keep each child’s belongings separated from others’ and in individually labeled containers, cubbies, or areas and taken home each day and cleaned, if possible. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/php/CDC-Activities-Initiatives-for-COVID-19-Response.pdf