The debate on the role of school closures as a mitigation strategy against the spread of Covid-19 is gaining relevance due to emerging variants in Europe. According to WHO, decisions on schools "should be guided by a risk-based approach". However, risk evaluation requires sound methods, transparent data and careful consideration of the context at the local level. We review a recent study by Gandini et al., on the role of school opening as a driver of the second COVID-19 wave in Italy, which concluded that there was no connection between school openings/closures and SARS-CoV-2 incidence. infections. This analysis has been widely commented in Italian media as conclusive proof that "schools are safe". However the study presents severe oversights and careless interpretation of data.
@article{arxiv.2105.06374,
title = {School reopening should be guided by solid evidence and mitigation measures against Covid-19},
author = {R. Battiston and F. Carinci and A. Ferretti and R. Iuppa and G. Lattanzi and D. Menasce and S. Merler and M. Mezzetto and R. Potestio and G. Salina and C. Spinella and S. Tonini and L. Tubiana and Y. Velegrakis and R. De Vogli},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2105.06374},
year = {2021}
}