LOS ANGELES: With the start of the US school year only weeks away, Marina Avalos still has no idea how or where her 7-year-old daughter will attend classes.
Despite evidence children are less vulnerable, the fear of classroom contagion is shared by many parents, who suspect younger pupils will particularly struggle to socially distance or wear uncomfortable masks for hours. Los Angeles, the nation's second-largest, has yet to decide on its classroom approach, although county health director Barbara Ferrer reportedly told education bosses to have"plans in place to continue distance learning for 100 per cent of the time".
"The little one definitely fell behind in knowledge and intellect - if this continues I am definitely concerned about how she will have the drive and motivation to catch up." If schools do not reopen in August, she is considering grouping with other parents to hire a tutor to provide in-person lessons to a small group.