Pandemic school closures could create a drag on the economy for years

Pandemic school closures could create a drag on the economy for years

Jay Horton, 6, attends virtual first grade on the first day of school at the Horton familys home in Arlington, Virginia on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

Newly confirmed Education Secretary Miguel Cardona will have his hands full as he navigates the perilous journey to reopening schools that have been largely shuttered for a year during the Covid pandemic.

"We have many great examples of schools throughout the country that were able to reopen safely and do so while following mitigation strategies," Cardona said at his confirmation hearing last month.

Most states are offering at least part-time in-person learning, according to Education Week, with states like Texas, Iowa and Florida fully open for parents who want it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidelines for reopening that include masking, social distancing, testing and contact tracing. And President Joe Biden's Covid relief bill aims to provide funding for things like protective gear, smaller classes and upgrading ventilation systems.

Still, many teachers' unions have pushed back, angling first to get teachers to the front of the line for vaccination. Biden said Tuesday he wants all teachers to receive at least one shot by the end of this month.

As the controversy over how and when