Parents— Act Now to Prevent Daycare/PreK closures

[Anonymous]

Parents of school-aged kids have been much more politically active during than the pandemic than parents of prek kids. And it shows- child care and PreK kids have had the harshest covid restrictions, and the fewest options for avoiding or limiting quarantines.

We’re going to be in a world of hurt if parents of younger kids don’t step up to demand changes like adopting the shortened quarantine periods the CDC just announced, allowing rapid at-home tests to break quarantine, and implementing test-to-stay. Daycare and preschools don’t care about making these changes themselves- they get paid either way. We need state and county health departments to make these changes in their guidance, and that will only happen with political pressure.

Get to work, parents!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents of school-aged kids have been much more politically active during than the pandemic than parents of prek kids. And it shows- child care and PreK kids have had the harshest covid restrictions, and the fewest options for avoiding or limiting quarantines.

We’re going to be in a world of hurt if parents of younger kids don’t step up to demand changes like adopting the shortened quarantine periods the CDC just announced, allowing rapid at-home tests to break quarantine, and implementing test-to-stay. Daycare and preschools don’t care about making these changes themselves- they get paid either way. We need state and county health departments to make these changes in their guidance, and that will only happen with political pressure.

Get to work, parents!

Yes, stand up against those greedy daycares! Demand your socialist government dismantle any safety regulations they might have! After all, isn't what the government is for? Tearing itself apart? It's why you collect YOUR government paycheck, after all!

[Anonymous]

Can you just join one of the ten or so threads already on this and related topics? This one is probably your best bet: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1024207.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you just join one of the ten or so threads already on this and related topics? This one is probably your best bet: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1024207.page

Unfortunately the change.org petition in that thread blends introducing test-to-stay/reducing quarantines with dropping masks. This is a strategic mistake as masks are a political issue and it is clear from the comments on the petition some looneys have signed it. We really need some effort just focused on changing the quarantine rules to be more sensible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you just join one of the ten or so threads already on this and related topics? This one is probably your best bet: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1024207.page

Unfortunately the change.org petition in that thread blends introducing test-to-stay/reducing quarantines with dropping masks. This is a strategic mistake as masks are a political issue and it is clear from the comments on the petition some looneys have signed it. We really need some effort just focused on changing the quarantine rules to be more sensible.

Oh JFC. Can you not think independently without lumping in everyone who agrees with something together? Do you really think masking 2 year olds has ever made sense?

[Anonymous]

Can I be honest that I really resent that we have to "act now"?

You are talking to a group of people who are so f-in tired from raising infants and young toddlers during a pandemic. I literally have no free time. I've signed the petition. I'm going to email leaders after I have hopefully sent my child back to daycare (but who knows if our center will be open). But just once in this pandemic it would be nice if our elected leaders would do their job here instead of putting it all on parents (let's be honest, mostly moms).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can I be honest that I really resent that we have to "act now"?

You are talking to a group of people who are so f-in tired from raising infants and young toddlers during a pandemic. I literally have no free time. I've signed the petition. I'm going to email leaders after I have hopefully sent my child back to daycare (but who knows if our center will be open). But just once in this pandemic it would be nice if our elected leaders would do their job here instead of putting it all on parents (let's be honest, mostly moms).

Also, I find it irritating that the OP credits the political activism of school age kids for the way things are the way they are. Note, daycares mostly repopen by June, while schools were virtual for nearly the whole year. Of course school age parents were up in arms telling the public school districts, which are paid for by taxes and a public has right to an education, to figure out a plan.

I don't disagree with OP, though, we do need to contact state & county health departments to encourage them to change the guideance. And in the mean time, we need to buckle up for a wild 2 months and do our best to support each other - because I don't think it is going to happen in time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents of school-aged kids have been much more politically active during than the pandemic than parents of prek kids. And it shows- child care and PreK kids have had the harshest covid restrictions, and the fewest options for avoiding or limiting quarantines.

We’re going to be in a world of hurt if parents of younger kids don’t step up to demand changes like adopting the shortened quarantine periods the CDC just announced, allowing rapid at-home tests to break quarantine, and implementing test-to-stay. Daycare and preschools don’t care about making these changes themselves- they get paid either way. We need state and county health departments to make these changes in their guidance, and that will only happen with political pressure.

Get to work, parents!

Ridiculous. The majority of child care programs have been open and serving children (with longer hours and lower pay than public sector teachers) for the entire pandemic. Your blame is in the wrong place.

[Anonymous]

You sound widely irresponsible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents of school-aged kids have been much more politically active during than the pandemic than parents of prek kids. And it shows- child care and PreK kids have had the harshest covid restrictions, and the fewest options for avoiding or limiting quarantines.

We’re going to be in a world of hurt if parents of younger kids don’t step up to demand changes like adopting the shortened quarantine periods the CDC just announced, allowing rapid at-home tests to break quarantine, and implementing test-to-stay. Daycare and preschools don’t care about making these changes themselves- they get paid either way. We need state and county health departments to make these changes in their guidance, and that will only happen with political pressure.

Get to work, parents!

Wtf. What a jerk thing to say about the providers who’ve been working tirelessly through rough conditions all pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of school-aged kids have been much more politically active during than the pandemic than parents of prek kids. And it shows- child care and PreK kids have had the harshest covid restrictions, and the fewest options for avoiding or limiting quarantines.

We’re going to be in a world of hurt if parents of younger kids don’t step up to demand changes like adopting the shortened quarantine periods the CDC just announced, allowing rapid at-home tests to break quarantine, and implementing test-to-stay. Daycare and preschools don’t care about making these changes themselves- they get paid either way. We need state and county health departments to make these changes in their guidance, and that will only happen with political pressure.

Get to work, parents!

Wtf. What a jerk thing to say about the providers who’ve been working tirelessly through rough conditions all pandemic.

+1 What they care about is being able to continue to operate safely, pay their workers, and not lose their licenses.
- Daycare mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of school-aged kids have been much more politically active during than the pandemic than parents of prek kids. And it shows- child care and PreK kids have had the harshest covid restrictions, and the fewest options for avoiding or limiting quarantines.

We’re going to be in a world of hurt if parents of younger kids don’t step up to demand changes like adopting the shortened quarantine periods the CDC just announced, allowing rapid at-home tests to break quarantine, and implementing test-to-stay. Daycare and preschools don’t care about making these changes themselves- they get paid either way. We need state and county health departments to make these changes in their guidance, and that will only happen with political pressure.

Get to work, parents!

Wtf. What a jerk thing to say about the providers who’ve been working tirelessly through rough conditions all pandemic.

It wasn’t intended to be a slight against daycares. My point is that you shouldn’t expect child care centers and preschools to lobby for better isolation and quarantine policies. They have no incentive to. That pressure is going to have to come from parents. Do you disagree with that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of school-aged kids have been much more politically active during than the pandemic than parents of prek kids. And it shows- child care and PreK kids have had the harshest covid restrictions, and the fewest options for avoiding or limiting quarantines.

We’re going to be in a world of hurt if parents of younger kids don’t step up to demand changes like adopting the shortened quarantine periods the CDC just announced, allowing rapid at-home tests to break quarantine, and implementing test-to-stay. Daycare and preschools don’t care about making these changes themselves- they get paid either way. We need state and county health departments to make these changes in their guidance, and that will only happen with political pressure.

Get to work, parents!

Ridiculous. The majority of child care programs have been open and serving children (with longer hours and lower pay than public sector teachers) for the entire pandemic. Your blame is in the wrong place.

Do you think I was trying to blame the daycares? That wasn’t what I meant at all. I’m blaming the county and state health departments that aren’t giving them better policies and guidelines to follow.

[Anonymous]

PP is right. Please do get involved and spread the word. Of course advocate only for whatever parts you agree with, but bear in mind that optional masking is allowed in Northern Virginia. It is nothing radical.

DC daycare advocacy guide: https://tinyurl.com/57sapzjy

Montgomery County daycare advocacy guide: https://tinyurl.com/yd2jr5pu

Petition: https://chng.it/vTzRTQKGHf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can I be honest that I really resent that we have to "act now"?

You are talking to a group of people who are so f-in tired from raising infants and young toddlers during a pandemic. I literally have no free time. I've signed the petition. I'm going to email leaders after I have hopefully sent my child back to daycare (but who knows if our center will be open). But just once in this pandemic it would be nice if our elected leaders would do their job here instead of putting it all on parents (let's be honest, mostly moms).

Also, I find it irritating that the OP credits the political activism of school age kids for the way things are the way they are. Note, daycares mostly repopen by June, while schools were virtual for nearly the whole year. Of course school age parents were up in arms telling the public school districts, which are paid for by taxes and a public has right to an education, to figure out a plan.

I don't disagree with OP, though, we do need to contact state & county health departments to encourage them to change the guideance. And in the mean time, we need to buckle up for a wild 2 months and do our best to support each other - because I don't think it is going to happen in time.

I agree with next two months will be rough. Even with strong support from the state and county I think most of the pain over the next month is unavoidable, They’re going to prioritize tests for K-12, not preK. My worry is more that if we don’t work to get changes to isolation and quarantine policies then we’re going to be dealing with this until at least the fall. With political pressure to revise isolation/quarantine policies, we're in trouble until the pediatric vaccine is available.