After spending a relatively normal fall semester in much of the United States, Covid 19 made itself clear in school districts across the country on Monday. The majority of public schools in the United States, including the public school in New York City, the country's largest administrative district, appeared to be functioning as planned this week. However, the prevalence of  highly contagious variants of Omicron has led to an increase in the number of educational disabilities, along with a lack of workforce and testing. Detroit, Milwaukee, Cleveland and Newark are one of the district areas where schools have announced that they will switch to distance learning in the following days and weeks. 

Many schools have not been provided adequate tests for coronavirus, and school staff are infected with the virus and other illnesses, while possibly having to care for sick family members. Building closures are concentrated, at least for now, in areas such as the northeastern and upper Midwest,  where democratic politicians and powerful teachers' unions are taking a more cautious approach to running schools during a pandemic. 

Unions, politicians, and educators all want the school to stay open. However, there are concerns that Omicron could drive more counties to closure, at least temporarily.The Metropolitan School System has postponed reopening until after vacations are provided. They’ve switched to distance learning due to the Covid 19 outbreak and staff shortages. Part of the announcement was suddenly made as schools struggled to address the rapidly changing situation.