Economist Finds Schools Are Not Major COVID-19 Super-Spreaders, Advocates Data-Informed Reopening Strategies

Economist Emily Oster from Brown University has found that schools are not major contributors to COVID-19 spread, contrary to earlier fears. In an op-ed for The Atlantic, she highlighted that data collected from over 200,000 students and staff across 47 states indicates minimal infection rates—approximately 0.13% among students and 0.24% among staff during late September. For instance, Texas reported only 0.14% infection among its student population. While these numbers are not zero, Oster emphasizes that expecting zero cases is unrealistic, as infections can occur off-campus and are inherently possible. She advocates for data-driven decisions regarding school reopenings, stressing the importance of balancing health risks with the significant consequences of prolonged closures, especially for children. Oster calls for continued monitoring and encourages educational authorities to consider reopening strategies informed by current evidence, aiming to protect both public health and educational needs.