05/13/2020

Somber Warnings Temper Hopes About a Fall Return to School

Normalcy seems like a dream - for now

School is out for an early summer for most U.S. kids — and discouraging signs about the spread of COVID-19 are starting to cloud hopes of a return to class in the fall.

Despite pressure from President Donald Trump for a swift resumption of lessons, forecasts of higher than expected death tolls and a stubborn plateau of infections are already threatening the 2020-21 academic year in the worst affected regions.

Since the return of kids to school will be one of the most tangible signs that the country is getting back to normal -- and will begin to make significant steps towards economic recovery -- the issue has a strong emotional as well as societal dimension.