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Infectious disease experts have huge concerns regarding K-12 students that are heading back to the classroom today. This is after the holidays the Omicron Variant does rage across the East Coast region.

Infectious Disease Expert Says In-Person Classes

Michael Siegel is one of those epidemiologists, who, in fact, urged a local school district. It would be to delay in-person classes for a couple of weeks. Then let the Corona Virus surge pass. Moreover, the Omicron cases have continued to spike, the Tufts researcher is warning that the students are returning to school. Therefore, it would be “disastrous” for the community. In fact, it is already packing hospitals.

Vector for Virus

This is because of the extraordinarily contagious variant, then students would be a vector for the virus. It could, in fact, lead to family members and then others getting sick, he did say.

Also, they are concerned because of the number of cases, it will then it will be just a straight line which is upwards. Then it is not going to come down for at least another two weeks,” Siegel said.

Infectious Diseases: Humanitarian Disaster

“Therefore, we are looking at a literal humanitarian disaster because the hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts, are not really equipping to deal with this number of patients,” he said. “Plus, our health care system is not going to be able to handle it.”

Dashboard Tracing Hospital

Massachusetts is on a “sustainable” path as the COVID-19 cases continue to spike to record-breaking levels. This is regarding a dashboard tracking hospital capacity. Also, there are 20,000 cases that are reporting on the last two days of the year. Plus the COVID-19 hospitalizations approach 2,000 patients.

Students Belong in the Classroom

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Carona did emphasize that students do belong in the classroom.

“Also, we can do it safely,” Cardona said. “Also, we do have better tools than we have in the past to get it done. Therefore, we do know what works, and I believe even with Omicron. The default should be in-person learning for all students across the country.