This study looks across the two largest counties in Arizona and finds that schools without masking mandates in July and August 2021 were 3.7 times more likely to have COVID-19 outbreaks.

This research summary of 11 studies reveals that early learning programs are not associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection when providers follow proper mitigation measures.

In this study of over 50,000 U.S. child care programs, there was no association between exposure to child care and COVID-19. Findings should be interpreted within the context of the mitigation strategies—including small group sizes, cohorting, frequent handwashing and disinfection, symptom screening, and social distancing.

This article synthesizes several studies to emphasize that there is little evidence of schools contributing to increased community transmission. The authors recommend restricting indoor dining and indoor sports when cases are high in order to reduce community spread and keep schools open.

This brief compiles information on health and safety guidelines—focusing on attendance, social distancing, hygiene, and cleaning—employed by five countries (China, Denmark, Norway, Singapore, and Taiwan) when they reopened schools in spring 2020.

This study of 335 schools in 6 states found that pooled PCR (nose swab) routine testing reduced in-school transmission as long as schools had considerable support, including detailed operational guidance, resources, and community buy-in.

This article, which is frequently updated, provides the latest information on vaccination rates by state, race, and ethnicity.

This FAQ states that individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 should still sign up for the vaccine, as re-infection is possible. It also makes clear that the vaccine cannot make individuals sick or alter their DNA.

This CDC study documents breakthrough infections among a cluster of fully vaccinated adults in Massachusetts attending Fourth of July festivities. Of those who had breakthrough infections, four (1.2%) were hospitalized; two of the four had underlying medical conditions.

This study of 85 San Francisco community learning hubs, which were established to facilitate remote learning during building closures, found that multiple mitigation policies prevented most COVID-19 infection.

This study, conducted from December 2020 through January 2021 in an Atlanta, GA, school district, found that indoor sports carried the highest risk of spreading COVID-19, followed by staff meetings or lunches. It also found that staff were more likely than students to contract COVID-19 in school.

This article highlights strategies used by other countries, including underwriting the costs of testing, tracing, and physical distancing as well as opening gradually, beginning with elementary grades. Where these investments have not occurred, schools have had to close due to outbreaks.

This study finds that 40% of surveyed Black families and more than 25% of Latino/a families have expressed hesitation about sending their children back to school in the fall, significantly higher proportions than White families. The authors conclude that schools need to continue communicating and consistently reaching out to families about local school safety precautions, virus caseloads, and vaccination rates among teachers and students.