SC pediatricians say school reopening message was politicized. Here’s their stance

A group representing South Carolina pediatricians is clarifying its stance on school reopening, saying an earlier message had been tainted by politics.

The South Carolina chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is not saying students should return to school no matter how severe the coronavirus spread, the organization said in a statement. Reopening schools as traditional, five-day, in person classes is a goal every school should work toward, but that does not mean officials should do that in spite of advice from health officials on coronavirus, the statement said.

“Science should drive decision-making on safely reopening schools,” the statement said. “Public health agencies must make recommendations based on evidence, not politics.”

Earlier this month, the group issued an open letter calling on school districts to do all they can to ensure children can return to school. The pediatricians said “educators are crucial to children being monitored for their safety” and that the mental health of many children had deteriorated since the coronavirus closed schools in March.

In the statement issued Friday, the group does not mention by name S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster’s recommendations for schools to reopen with in-person classes five days per week with a virtual option. However, the statement said a school’s decision on how it reopens should be made by local officials, educators and parents.

“A one-size-fits-all approach is not appropriate for return to school decisions.”

In its earlier statement, the association was trying to highlight the academic, mental health and social consequences of students missing an in-person education. To minimize the spread, students’ in-person education should be prioritized above adults attending bars and people eating at indoor restaurants, the group said Friday.

McMaster has defended his recommendations, given at a press conference last week, saying he sought only to give parents the choice to have a fully in-person education.

And though McMaster’s recommendations are not mandatory, the guidance has been received as unnecessary political interference, Dr. Deborah Greenhouse, a Columbia pediatrician, told The State.

“Pediatricians don’t like having their statements politicized and that’s what has happened,” Greenhouse said.

This story was originally published July 24, 2020 at 2:37 PM.