Minnesota schools still waiting for decision on school year's start

Time is ticking for Minnesota school districts and the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minnesota Department of Health on Sunday reported 737 new COVID-19 cases in the state with four additional deaths. Infectious disease expert Dr. Michael Osterholm was on with Dave Lee during the WCCO Morning News on Monday.

"It was just a matter of time before we saw cases increase again once we had society return to what is perceived as normal activity," Dr. Osterholm said. "This virus is going to continue to be transmitted when people get together in groups and indoors."

The increasing cases could be a hindrance for schools and those hoping students can attend class in-person instead of online this fall.

"We all recognize that one of the most important gifts we have in our society are kids and their education is absolutely critical," he said. "That has to be seen by one of the most imporant things we can do. Surely it's more important than bars and restaurants in terms of transmission."

Dr. Osterholm told Lee that increased community transmission across the country is going to make it hard to open schools in the next two to three weeks. 

"Fortunately in Minnesota we are still further down in the list of states in terms of transmission, but I worry that we're slowly starting to creep up."

Still, as no official announcement has been made by Governor Tim Walz on his plans for education this fall, Dr. Osterholm believes it could be a difficult fall not only in Minnesota, but in the United States if kids are home from school and the demand for daycare continues to rise.

"I really, strongly, believe that these decisions need to be made at the school level," he said. "I think every school district in this country is in the best position to know what they can and can't do. I have faith in the superintendents and the teachers that they want to be in the classroom. I think it'd be a mistake to have an edict come down from on high about what to do."

The impending decision has become a point of contention between lawmakers in St. Paul.

Based on the survey from the MN Department of Education, it’s pretty obvious parents want their kids in the classroom this fall. #mnleg pic.twitter.com/XiE5ePuS3Q

Gov. Walz has said previously that he plans to release a decision on schools by the end of July.