Flu Closes More NYC Schools

CNNHealth is reporting that an additional 31 schools in NYC have been closed due to outbreaks of influenza like illness or ILI. This is in addition to the 11 schools closed last week. CNN also notes that most of the schools will re-open shortly. Read the story HERE.

Is closing schools the best way to deal with an infectious disease? My answer is; not by itself, closure of schools will not stop the spread of disease. In order for this theory to work we have to close other public venues...shopping centers, recreation centers, and make sure people stay away from each other. In other words, closure of schools is only part of a reasonable social distancing plan. Social distancing is the practice of keeping people out of public groups and avoiding close contact. Social distancing is not synonymous with isolation or quarantine. Both of those words are charged with negative connotation.

The point is that closing schools creates several logistical issues and may not provide any benefit. Consider the impact on single parent or double-income households and the problems caused by keeping kids out of school. If you're going to close the schools, do as much as possible to keep those students apart.

If we're not able to keep students apart when schools are closed due to spread of disease, what will we do when the time comes that we actually need to impose social distancing, isolation or quarantine?