BUFFALO (WBEN) - Local superintendents have been saying for weeks that the avenue to get more kids back into classrooms this year is to reduce the state-mandated social distancing requirement between students from six feet to three feet.
A recently published study conducted in Massachusetts is now offering hope to parents who want their kids back in the classroom sooner rather than later. The study examined 251 school districts and their social distancing policies to find out whether three feet of distancing versus six feet of distancing actually makes that much of a difference in regard to transmission.
"What they found is that there's no significant difference in terms of transmission in children, staff and faculty, and teachers where they were either three feet or six feet," said Dr. Stephen Turkovich, chief medical officers at Oishei Children's Hospital. "Now we have the evidence to prove that is a safe social distance for kids in schools, again, as long as you're masking - that is the key."
There is some confusion on social distancing because there are varying guidelines depending on the health organization you look to. Turkovich explained that the WHO has a one meter distancing guideline. The American Academy of Pediatrics, however, suggests six feet is the ideal distance, but six feet shouldn't be the bar to prevent in-person learning, meaning three feet should be acceptable.
While Turkovich said the study also looked at faculty and staff, Dr. John Sellick, professor of medicine at UB, noted that this does not mean all places should now be allowed to reopen to 100% capacity, and he even said high school kids may still need to keep more distance than younger ones.
"This would only be for the youngest children, and this probably does not apply at the high school or the college level," said Sellick. "Nobody ever really knew that six feet was absolutely certain," Sellick continued.
On with CNN this weekend, Dr. Anthony Fauci was asked about the Massachusetts study, and he suggested there could be a change in the CDC's guidelines in the near future.
"The CDC is very well aware that data are accumulating, making it look more like three feet are okay under certain circumstances," said Fauci. "They're analyzing that, and I can assure you, within a reasonable period of time, quite reasonable, they will be giving guidelines according to the data that they have."
