Just as people started to think that the virus was starting to go away, there were over 2,500 Pennsylvania COVID-19 cases recorded on Tuesday, Oct. 27. This is the highest number of cases recorded in a single day since April. According to the Department of Health, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania has surpassed 208,000. This recent spike is vastly made up of cases from younger age groups. For this reason, and the fact that there has been a large number of covid cases within schools, many school districts have decided to transition into virtual learning for a short period of time.

The decision to go back to virtual learning is to try to stop the spread of the virus even more within the school. Some of the local school districts include Quaker Valley, West Mifflin, Moon Area, Mars and many more. Schools like Quaker Valley, North Catholic and Freedom have even recently shut down their sports programs temporarily due to COVID-19 cases within the sports teams. Quaker Valley shut down their entire sports programs for two weeks, while Freedom and North Catholic shut down just the sports teams directly affected. This goes to show how each school is taking a different approach to current situations.

According to Freedom Superintendent Dr. Jeffery Fuller, there is only one positive case of COVID-19 within the school district as of Nov. 2, and it is not a student. The low amount of cases could be  due to the fact that the school district has taken many precautionary measures with the elementary and middle school students learning in person. 

“We have been sure to send students home if any sign of symptoms are shown and we are trying to keep as far away as possible,” Fuller said.

Even though it is harder in a classroom to stay six feet apart, the school is trying to make it so that people are socially distancing in class. The school is also enforcing that masks must be worn at all times. 

“Our main goal is to try and keep the students in school as long and as much as possible, that is why we are making sure to follow these guidelines,” explained Fuller. He also expressed his proudness of the school for doing so well in these unforeseen times.  

“I can definitely agree with what some schools are doing. They should do what they think is best, but I am definitely glad we are going back,” freshman Chase Grable said.

“I do agree with the school’s decision to send us back. I think after so long of being at home, some social interactions will do us all some good,” sophomore Katrina Adams said.

However, there are still many concerns about returning to school. Due to having family members that are at a high risk of getting the virus, students, like Adams, hope that Freedom will make sure their school is very clean.

“I have many family members and friends that are at a much higher risk of getting very sick, so I would just hope that the school will continue to make sure the highly touched surfaces are kept as clean as possible,” Adams said.