Fauci: COVID-19 vaccine won’t be ready by start of school year – WISN Milwaukee

The country's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Tuesday warned of suffering, death and deeper economic damage if state and local officials lift stay-at-home orders too quickly. Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in Wisconsin"In this case, that the idea of having treatments available or a vaccine to facilitate the reentry of students into the fall term would be something that would be a bit of a bridge too far," he said. "Even at the top speed we're going, we don't see a vaccine playing in the ability of individuals to get back to school this term."Universities such as Marquette, UW-Milwaukee and every suburban school district are coming up with plans to reopen or to stay closed.For many families, the new normal for school is students online at their kitchen table."The virtual learning does not replicate what schools, in my opinion, were able to offer in their bricks and mortar schools several months ago, said Mike Thompson of the state Department of Public Instruction. But now with news that a COID-19 vaccine won't be ready by the fall, educators are preparing Plan B. After moving 1,600 classes online, the president of Milwaukee Area Technical College said they're preparing for worst case scenarios."If we do offer anything on campus, it will be with every precaution that we can possibly take ensure their safety and health," MATC President Vicki Martin said. "We're listening to what the experts are saying, Waukesha Schools Superintendent Todd Gray said.Gray is optimistic, but he said he's realistic."I just cant imagine having to go another couple of months into the school year on a virtual basis. I don't think that will happen. I mean, we're prepared for anything, but I think that would be a tremendous hardship on students and parents," Gray said.The state predicts the fall could be a combination of in-person and online."Are we gonna have to look at staggered schedules, having less kids in a classroom? They have to plan. How are we gonna transport kids? There's not a shortage of issues. We're creating a framework, a template of what those issues are and how districts can walk through the planning process," Thompson said. Milwaukee Public Schools is also considering several options, which could include online and in-person.It's ultimately up to the state Department of Health, whether schools reopen or stay closed.Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISNGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

The country's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Tuesday warned of suffering, death and deeper economic damage if state and local officials lift stay-at-home orders too quickly.

Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in Wisconsin

"In this case, that the idea of having treatments available or a vaccine to facilitate the reentry of students into the fall term would be something that would be a bit of a bridge too far," he said. "Even at the top speed we're going, we don't see a vaccine playing in the ability of individuals to get back to school this term."

Universities such as Marquette, UW-Milwaukee and every suburban school district are coming up with plans to reopen or to stay closed.

For many families, the new normal for school is students online at their kitchen table.

"The virtual learning does not replicate what schools, in my opinion, were able to offer in their bricks and mortar schools several months ago, said Mike Thompson of the state Department of Public Instruction.

But now with news that a COID-19 vaccine won't be ready by the fall, educators are preparing Plan B.

After moving 1,600 classes online, the president of Milwaukee Area Technical College said they're preparing for worst case scenarios.

"If we do offer anything on campus, it will be with every precaution that we can possibly take ensure their safety and health," MATC President Vicki Martin said.

"We're listening to what the experts are saying, Waukesha Schools Superintendent Todd Gray said.

Gray is optimistic, but he said he's realistic.

"I just cant imagine having to go another couple of months into the school year on a virtual basis. I don't think that will happen. I mean, we're prepared for anything, but I think that would be a tremendous hardship on students and parents," Gray said.

The state predicts the fall could be a combination of in-person and online.

"Are we gonna have to look at staggered schedules, having less kids in a classroom? They have to plan. How are we gonna transport kids? There's not a shortage of issues. We're creating a framework, a template of what those issues are and how districts can walk through the planning process," Thompson said.

Milwaukee Public Schools is also considering several options, which could include online and in-person.

It's ultimately up to the state Department of Health, whether schools reopen or stay closed.

Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISN

Get breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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Fauci: COVID-19 vaccine won't be ready by start of school year - WISN Milwaukee