Because of the Omicron variant, schools across America are shutting down for weeks as cases rise. 

The Omicron variant emerged in December, and is another form of the Covid-19 virus. In the Portland public school district eleven schools have closed, six of which are set to return to in person school on Jan. 24th. 

Others like George Middle School and Kellogg Middle School, will not return until Feb. 1st.

“The rapid rise in COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant has contributed to a dramatic rise in absences of students and staff at Ockley Green.  The ability to fully staff and safely operate our schools is a key factor that has resulted in the difficult decision to temporarily transition Ockley Green to distance learning,” said the Portland public school district in a letter to the families of those affected by the shut down. 

Schools in the Lake Oswego school district have not shut down, leaving attending students with various opinions.

“No, we shouldn’t shut down until at least the end of finals. We need to get over the pandemic sooner rather than later, and now is the best time to do that,” said junior, Jason Tongue.

“[shutting down] would be kinda stupid, but it would also be kinda nice if it was just for like three weeks,” said junior Noah Bastion.

The CDC has not changed the recommended precautions to keep Coronavirus under control in schools even with the new variant, including masks, vaccines and testing.

“CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status,” said the CDC.