March 2, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are tracking multiple variants of SARS CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19. A number of variants are circulating globally, and at least three of these have been documented as causing COVID-19 cases in the United States.

Viruses constantly change as they spread among humans and/or animals. We see this with the flu virus every year. Sometimes new variants appear and disappear quickly; other times, new variants appear and stay.

Several new variants of SARS CoV2 are more infectious, but it appears as though the vaccines are still effective against them. But how do these variants change the current recommendations for preventing the spread of SARS CoV2?

The presence of new variants does not change the strategies for preventing COVID-19. The SARS CoV2 variants are more infectious because the virus is more effective at attaching to the cell, not because the virus travels further through the air or goes through the mask more effectively.

The most important action is for communities, schools, and individuals to continue rigorously following the strategies CDC has been highlighting throughout the last year. These strategies include consistently wearing masks and ensuring that your mask fits properly, maintaining physical distancing, practicing good hand hygiene, and following isolation and quarantine protocols – and now also vaccination. Together, these strategies are essential to stopping COVID-19.

The ABC Science Collaborative aims to provide data to support school-specific decisions by sharing emerging science and providing an interpretation of what that means, especially as it relates to in-person learning.

Information about COVID-19 changes often and, therefore, it is important to emphasize that science-based recommendations are subject to change. Our 12 Principles for Safer Schools looks at what schools should do to stay prepared and updated as information changes.

Decisions about how to handle COVID-19 prevention in schools is ultimately the responsibility of each school or district and strategies and timing will vary from district to district. If you have specific questions about your school’s in-person learning plan, please contact your district or school leader.

Thank you for your role in protecting the health of your community.

For more information about the ABC Science Collaborative, visit our About Us page.