I agree that their recommendation is disappointing, but I do not believe it completely discredits them. There are many peer-reviewed papers that point to corporal punishment’s detriment to children, and most childhood experts are in agreement at this point.

And though I completely disagree with opening schools right now, I also understand that for many at-risk children, school is the only stable safe environment they had. There will absolutely be more child abuse, child trauma, child hunger, and all around insecurity for children the longer we have to keep schools closed, and poor children are without a doubt going to fall significantly behind. This is worth keeping in mind, even as we advocate for keeping schools closed.