MCPS Community COVID update

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Unless my kid is exhibiting symptoms, my kid going to school. At this point, it's no worse than the flu, and we should treat it as such.

It is no worse than influenza except for when it is worse than influenza.

For the vast vast majority of people, it is not worse than the flu.

If you didn't quarantine for 5 days after being exposed to the flu but had no symptoms, then you don't need to with covid.

Every year, some people die from complications from the flu, yet we didn't force kids to quarantine for just being exposed.

I get that we needed to quarantine when covid first hit because we didn't know enough about the virus, and also we did not have a vax, but we do now, and it's no worse than the flu.

Except for the people for whom it is worse than influenza.

C’mon. You know we’re talking about the vast vast majority of people. Why do you keep saying that?

I guess you don’t drive either. Because driving is relatively safe - most people don’t die in an accident. I know I know - except for the people who have died in a car accident

Do you use seatbelts? Airbags? Drive the speed limit? Obey traffic lights? Use car seats? Layered mitigation does wonders. We are g doing the same for covid

Part of layered mitigation, for covid, is staying home when you're sick, to reduce the possibilities of infecting other people with an infectious disease. Masks are another part of layered mitigation, especially in health care settings.

High-quality masks are used as personal protective equipment to protect staff from acquiring illnesses from patients known to have highly infectious diseases.

There wasn’t universal masking in health care settings before covid, and there isn’t now. If you’re worried, wear a mask to protect yourself— just like doctors and nurses who did so while directly treating unmasked patients with covid.

There's a lot more now, and it really ought to be standard, just like gloves are standard in health care settings. As you know, masks are more effective when everyone is wearing a mask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless my kid is exhibiting symptoms, my kid going to school. At this point, it's no worse than the flu, and we should treat it as such.

It is no worse than influenza except for when it is worse than influenza.

For the vast vast majority of people, it is not worse than the flu.

If you didn't quarantine for 5 days after being exposed to the flu but had no symptoms, then you don't need to with covid.

Every year, some people die from complications from the flu, yet we didn't force kids to quarantine for just being exposed.

I get that we needed to quarantine when covid first hit because we didn't know enough about the virus, and also we did not have a vax, but we do now, and it's no worse than the flu.

Except for the people for whom it is worse than influenza.

C’mon. You know we’re talking about the vast vast majority of people. Why do you keep saying that?

I guess you don’t drive either. Because driving is relatively safe - most people don’t die in an accident. I know I know - except for the people who have died in a car accident

Do you use seatbelts? Airbags? Drive the speed limit? Obey traffic lights? Use car seats? Layered mitigation does wonders. We are g doing the same for covid

Part of layered mitigation, for covid, is staying home when you're sick, to reduce the possibilities of infecting other people with an infectious disease. Masks are another part of layered mitigation, especially in health care settings.

High-quality masks are used as personal protective equipment to protect staff from acquiring illnesses from patients known to have highly infectious diseases.

There wasn’t universal masking in health care settings before covid, and there isn’t now. If you’re worried, wear a mask to protect yourself— just like doctors and nurses who did so while directly treating unmasked patients with covid.

There's a lot more now, and it really ought to be standard, just like gloves are standard in health care settings. As you know, masks are more effective when everyone is wearing a mask.

Gloves aren’t standard in every health care setting or interaction. And there certainly isn't universal "gloving" for providers and patients. Like masks, gloves are primarily personal protective equipment to protect health care workers from acquiring infections from bodily fluids.

Are masks more effective at preventing transmissions when everyone wears them? Intuitively you would expect so, but there really isn't good data demonstrating a practical effect at reducing transmissions in real-world settings. Even if we assume there is a benefit, we very regularly make choices that are less than the best available protection. Did you install a five-point harness in your car for yourself, or do you continue to use a three-point seat belt?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless my kid is exhibiting symptoms, my kid going to school. At this point, it's no worse than the flu, and we should treat it as such.

It is no worse than influenza except for when it is worse than influenza.

For the vast vast majority of people, it is not worse than the flu.

If you didn't quarantine for 5 days after being exposed to the flu but had no symptoms, then you don't need to with covid.

Every year, some people die from complications from the flu, yet we didn't force kids to quarantine for just being exposed.

I get that we needed to quarantine when covid first hit because we didn't know enough about the virus, and also we did not have a vax, but we do now, and it's no worse than the flu.

Except for the people for whom it is worse than influenza.

C’mon. You know we’re talking about the vast vast majority of people. Why do you keep saying that?

I guess you don’t drive either. Because driving is relatively safe - most people don’t die in an accident. I know I know - except for the people who have died in a car accident

Do you use seatbelts? Airbags? Drive the speed limit? Obey traffic lights? Use car seats? Layered mitigation does wonders. We are g doing the same for covid

Part of layered mitigation, for covid, is staying home when you're sick, to reduce the possibilities of infecting other people with an infectious disease. Masks are another part of layered mitigation, especially in health care settings.

High-quality masks are used as personal protective equipment to protect staff from acquiring illnesses from patients known to have highly infectious diseases.

There wasn’t universal masking in health care settings before covid, and there isn’t now. If you’re worried, wear a mask to protect yourself— just like doctors and nurses who did so while directly treating unmasked patients with covid.

There's a lot more now, and it really ought to be standard, just like gloves are standard in health care settings. As you know, masks are more effective when everyone is wearing a mask.

Gloves aren’t standard in every health care setting or interaction. And there certainly isn't universal "gloving" for providers and patients. Like masks, gloves are primarily personal protective equipment to protect health care workers from acquiring infections from bodily fluids.

Are masks more effective at preventing transmissions when everyone wears them? Intuitively you would expect so, but there really isn't good data demonstrating a practical effect at reducing transmissions in real-world settings. Even if we assume there is a benefit, we very regularly make choices that are less than the best available protection. Did you install a five-point harness in your car for yourself, or do you continue to use a three-point seat belt?

I'm really, really tired of the argument that we should accept easily-mitigable risks in health care, on grounds that we accept uniquely (compared to other wealthy countries) high risks in driving.

At the basis of all of these arguments against masks, in limited settings, to prevent transmission of communicable things, is: "I don't wanna wear a mask." Which, ok, you don't wanna wear a mask. So say so. Don't dress it up. We know that masks would work, if people would wear them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2023-2024/Community-message-20230906.html

This is a nice sentiment, but we can’t all stay home when we are sick. I am an MCPS employee and I need my sick days for doctor’s visits for myself and children.

Our society only supports certain professions staying home when we don’t feel well. Do they really think all of the teachers and kids with a stuffy nose and cough are going to stay home for over a week until they feel better? Lots of people COVID Meg but walking around sick.

This is a little dramatic. If you are a 10 month employee, you could schedule many of those appointments during summer break. Even if you’re not, school gets out earlier in the afternoon than many other jobs, and you can schedule appointments in the late afternoon. Or you children’s other parent, if there is one, could take them to some of their appointments. I get that sometimes it’s unavoidable to schedule outside school hours, but if you’re organized, you can minimize the impact to your sick day allocation.

You are assuming I’m in perfect health and only need to see a doctor once a year. I am in my 40’s with a history of skin cancer and arthritis. I see a dermatologist as often as my dentist, a Rheumetologist and podiatrist every 3 months. my kids also have specialists they need to see more than once a year. And I’m at the whim of these providers having a schedule that matches mine. Many offices are now closed on Fridays or federal holidays. Doctors can cancel appointments last minute like it’s no big deal. Heaven forbid I need to call a medical office during the school year! No cell service and no time during the day except lunch when most medical offices are closed for at least an hour. Keep shaming teachers and see where it gets you!

Your kids Dad can handle that or your spouse can handle calls for you. Never seen a doctors office closed Friday and they should be closed Federal Holidays. Dentists closed one day a week, yes, but never doctors.

Maybe you should just MYOB and send your kids with masks if you’re afraid of Covid (or any other virus). Just a thought, I doubt anonymously shaming anonymous teachers in DCUM will do anything for your cause.

If you are sending in your kids sick or the teacher is sick and it impacts my family, then yes, it is my business. So, you don't want to miss a week of work or school, yet you are ok subjecting other families to missing a week of school and work without any concern to others. It's sad that people are parenting their kids this way. Kids cannot count on their parents to be there when they need them nor are taught proper behavior for the community good. And, yes, we still mask. But, one person masking only helps so much especially when colds and flu are on surfaces.

It sounds like public school isn’t a good fit for your family.

And, what would be a better option?

Virtual academy? Or private schools with Covid policies that align with your preferences?

There are no privates with Covid policies. You don’t think we considered that.

Yet, despite nearly everyone disagreeing with you, you haven’t considered that you’re just wrong?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless my kid is exhibiting symptoms, my kid going to school. At this point, it's no worse than the flu, and we should treat it as such.

It is no worse than influenza except for when it is worse than influenza.

For the vast vast majority of people, it is not worse than the flu.

If you didn't quarantine for 5 days after being exposed to the flu but had no symptoms, then you don't need to with covid.

Every year, some people die from complications from the flu, yet we didn't force kids to quarantine for just being exposed.

I get that we needed to quarantine when covid first hit because we didn't know enough about the virus, and also we did not have a vax, but we do now, and it's no worse than the flu.

Way more people die of covid than flu. Stop parroting unhelpful talking points

Look at the recent covid death rate and compare it to influenza deaths in winter months.

Before covid, did you lock yourself down in the winter? Wear masks? Or did you instead go Christmas shopping and attend holiday parties?

1. More people die of covid than influenza
2. Influenza is seasonal covid is not yet seasonal
3. Who said anything about locking down? We are discussing staying home when ill. And yes I was cautious in flu months. That’s what a double lung transplant due to LAM does to you

The US has been at or below 100 covid deaths/day for several months now. Influenza killed about 28,000 during the 2018-19 flu season, which wasn't a particularly bad year. Nearly all of those deaths are over a 3 month period in the winter. That comes out to about 300 influenza deaths per day.

Influenza is more deadly in a typical winter than covid is right now.

You're comparing annual rates for covid to seasonal rates for seasonal influenza. Bad comparison. Estimates of covid deaths in the US in 2022 are on the order of 250,000, compared to the number you provided of 28,000 flu deaths in 2018-2019.

Shhhhh don’t let those pesky denominators get in the way of keyboard pseudo epidemiologists

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless my kid is exhibiting symptoms, my kid going to school. At this point, it's no worse than the flu, and we should treat it as such.

It is no worse than influenza except for when it is worse than influenza.

For the vast vast majority of people, it is not worse than the flu.

If you didn't quarantine for 5 days after being exposed to the flu but had no symptoms, then you don't need to with covid.

Every year, some people die from complications from the flu, yet we didn't force kids to quarantine for just being exposed.

I get that we needed to quarantine when covid first hit because we didn't know enough about the virus, and also we did not have a vax, but we do now, and it's no worse than the flu.

Except for the people for whom it is worse than influenza.

C’mon. You know we’re talking about the vast vast majority of people. Why do you keep saying that?

I guess you don’t drive either. Because driving is relatively safe - most people don’t die in an accident. I know I know - except for the people who have died in a car accident

Do you use seatbelts? Airbags? Drive the speed limit? Obey traffic lights? Use car seats? Layered mitigation does wonders. We are g doing the same for covid

Part of layered mitigation, for covid, is staying home when you're sick, to reduce the possibilities of infecting other people with an infectious disease. Masks are another part of layered mitigation, especially in health care settings.

High-quality masks are used as personal protective equipment to protect staff from acquiring illnesses from patients known to have highly infectious diseases.

There wasn’t universal masking in health care settings before covid, and there isn’t now. If you’re worried, wear a mask to protect yourself— just like doctors and nurses who did so while directly treating unmasked patients with covid.

There's a lot more now, and it really ought to be standard, just like gloves are standard in health care settings. As you know, masks are more effective when everyone is wearing a mask.

Gloves aren’t standard in every health care setting or interaction. And there certainly isn't universal "gloving" for providers and patients. Like masks, gloves are primarily personal protective equipment to protect health care workers from acquiring infections from bodily fluids.

Are masks more effective at preventing transmissions when everyone wears them? Intuitively you would expect so, but there really isn't good data demonstrating a practical effect at reducing transmissions in real-world settings. Even if we assume there is a benefit, we very regularly make choices that are less than the best available protection. Did you install a five-point harness in your car for yourself, or do you continue to use a three-point seat belt?

I'm really, really tired of the argument that we should accept easily-mitigable risks in health care, on grounds that we accept uniquely (compared to other wealthy countries) high risks in driving.

At the basis of all of these arguments against masks, in limited settings, to prevent transmission of communicable things, is: "I don't wanna wear a mask." Which, ok, you don't wanna wear a mask. So say so. Don't dress it up. We know that masks would work, if people would wear them.

no we do not know that masks would work in a classroom of kindergarteners. nobody is going to put 5 year olds in fit-tested n95s that stay on 100% of the day. and we also know that covering up kindergarteners and their teacher’s faces has repercussions on learning and socializing. and we also know that covid is low risk now. ignoring all this and insisting that “masks work!!!” is idiotic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless my kid is exhibiting symptoms, my kid going to school. At this point, it's no worse than the flu, and we should treat it as such.

It is no worse than influenza except for when it is worse than influenza.

For the vast vast majority of people, it is not worse than the flu.

If you didn't quarantine for 5 days after being exposed to the flu but had no symptoms, then you don't need to with covid.

Every year, some people die from complications from the flu, yet we didn't force kids to quarantine for just being exposed.

I get that we needed to quarantine when covid first hit because we didn't know enough about the virus, and also we did not have a vax, but we do now, and it's no worse than the flu.

Except for the people for whom it is worse than influenza.

C’mon. You know we’re talking about the vast vast majority of people. Why do you keep saying that?

I guess you don’t drive either. Because driving is relatively safe - most people don’t die in an accident. I know I know - except for the people who have died in a car accident

Do you use seatbelts? Airbags? Drive the speed limit? Obey traffic lights? Use car seats? Layered mitigation does wonders. We are g doing the same for covid

Part of layered mitigation, for covid, is staying home when you're sick, to reduce the possibilities of infecting other people with an infectious disease. Masks are another part of layered mitigation, especially in health care settings.

High-quality masks are used as personal protective equipment to protect staff from acquiring illnesses from patients known to have highly infectious diseases.

There wasn’t universal masking in health care settings before covid, and there isn’t now. If you’re worried, wear a mask to protect yourself— just like doctors and nurses who did so while directly treating unmasked patients with covid.

There's a lot more now, and it really ought to be standard, just like gloves are standard in health care settings. As you know, masks are more effective when everyone is wearing a mask.

Gloves aren’t standard in every health care setting or interaction. And there certainly isn't universal "gloving" for providers and patients. Like masks, gloves are primarily personal protective equipment to protect health care workers from acquiring infections from bodily fluids.

Are masks more effective at preventing transmissions when everyone wears them? Intuitively you would expect so, but there really isn't good data demonstrating a practical effect at reducing transmissions in real-world settings. Even if we assume there is a benefit, we very regularly make choices that are less than the best available protection. Did you install a five-point harness in your car for yourself, or do you continue to use a three-point seat belt?

I'm really, really tired of the argument that we should accept easily-mitigable risks in health care, on grounds that we accept uniquely (compared to other wealthy countries) high risks in driving.

At the basis of all of these arguments against masks, in limited settings, to prevent transmission of communicable things, is: "I don't wanna wear a mask." Which, ok, you don't wanna wear a mask. So say so. Don't dress it up. We know that masks would work, if people would wear them.

no we do not know that masks would work in a classroom of kindergarteners. nobody is going to put 5 year olds in fit-tested n95s that stay on 100% of the day. and we also know that covering up kindergarteners and their teacher’s faces has repercussions on learning and socializing. and we also know that covid is low risk now. ignoring all this and insisting that “masks work!!!” is idiotic.

Protecting the health of your community is never idiotic.

Failing to protect each other is idiotic.

No one knows the long term impact of covid on 5 year olds. Failing to protect them now is idiotic, cruel, inhumane and barbaric.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless my kid is exhibiting symptoms, my kid going to school. At this point, it's no worse than the flu, and we should treat it as such.

It is no worse than influenza except for when it is worse than influenza.

For the vast vast majority of people, it is not worse than the flu.

If you didn't quarantine for 5 days after being exposed to the flu but had no symptoms, then you don't need to with covid.

Every year, some people die from complications from the flu, yet we didn't force kids to quarantine for just being exposed.

I get that we needed to quarantine when covid first hit because we didn't know enough about the virus, and also we did not have a vax, but we do now, and it's no worse than the flu.

Except for the people for whom it is worse than influenza.

C’mon. You know we’re talking about the vast vast majority of people. Why do you keep saying that?

I guess you don’t drive either. Because driving is relatively safe - most people don’t die in an accident. I know I know - except for the people who have died in a car accident

Do you use seatbelts? Airbags? Drive the speed limit? Obey traffic lights? Use car seats? Layered mitigation does wonders. We are g doing the same for covid

Part of layered mitigation, for covid, is staying home when you're sick, to reduce the possibilities of infecting other people with an infectious disease. Masks are another part of layered mitigation, especially in health care settings.

High-quality masks are used as personal protective equipment to protect staff from acquiring illnesses from patients known to have highly infectious diseases.

There wasn’t universal masking in health care settings before covid, and there isn’t now. If you’re worried, wear a mask to protect yourself— just like doctors and nurses who did so while directly treating unmasked patients with covid.

There's a lot more now, and it really ought to be standard, just like gloves are standard in health care settings. As you know, masks are more effective when everyone is wearing a mask.

Gloves aren’t standard in every health care setting or interaction. And there certainly isn't universal "gloving" for providers and patients. Like masks, gloves are primarily personal protective equipment to protect health care workers from acquiring infections from bodily fluids.

Are masks more effective at preventing transmissions when everyone wears them? Intuitively you would expect so, but there really isn't good data demonstrating a practical effect at reducing transmissions in real-world settings. Even if we assume there is a benefit, we very regularly make choices that are less than the best available protection. Did you install a five-point harness in your car for yourself, or do you continue to use a three-point seat belt?

I'm really, really tired of the argument that we should accept easily-mitigable risks in health care, on grounds that we accept uniquely (compared to other wealthy countries) high risks in driving.

At the basis of all of these arguments against masks, in limited settings, to prevent transmission of communicable things, is: "I don't wanna wear a mask." Which, ok, you don't wanna wear a mask. So say so. Don't dress it up. We know that masks would work, if people would wear them.

no we do not know that masks would work in a classroom of kindergarteners. nobody is going to put 5 year olds in fit-tested n95s that stay on 100% of the day. and we also know that covering up kindergarteners and their teacher’s faces has repercussions on learning and socializing. and we also know that covid is low risk now. ignoring all this and insisting that “masks work!!!” is idiotic.

This particular discussion was actually about masks in other settings, for example health care. And, as you say, kindergartners are not the most reliable wearers of masks, and unreliable mask-wearing reduces the effectiveness of masks. So, what are you arguing about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless my kid is exhibiting symptoms, my kid going to school. At this point, it's no worse than the flu, and we should treat it as such.

It is no worse than influenza except for when it is worse than influenza.

For the vast vast majority of people, it is not worse than the flu.

If you didn't quarantine for 5 days after being exposed to the flu but had no symptoms, then you don't need to with covid.

Every year, some people die from complications from the flu, yet we didn't force kids to quarantine for just being exposed.

I get that we needed to quarantine when covid first hit because we didn't know enough about the virus, and also we did not have a vax, but we do now, and it's no worse than the flu.

Except for the people for whom it is worse than influenza.

C’mon. You know we’re talking about the vast vast majority of people. Why do you keep saying that?

I guess you don’t drive either. Because driving is relatively safe - most people don’t die in an accident. I know I know - except for the people who have died in a car accident

Do you use seatbelts? Airbags? Drive the speed limit? Obey traffic lights? Use car seats? Layered mitigation does wonders. We are g doing the same for covid

Part of layered mitigation, for covid, is staying home when you're sick, to reduce the possibilities of infecting other people with an infectious disease. Masks are another part of layered mitigation, especially in health care settings.

High-quality masks are used as personal protective equipment to protect staff from acquiring illnesses from patients known to have highly infectious diseases.

There wasn’t universal masking in health care settings before covid, and there isn’t now. If you’re worried, wear a mask to protect yourself— just like doctors and nurses who did so while directly treating unmasked patients with covid.

There's a lot more now, and it really ought to be standard, just like gloves are standard in health care settings. As you know, masks are more effective when everyone is wearing a mask.

Gloves aren’t standard in every health care setting or interaction. And there certainly isn't universal "gloving" for providers and patients. Like masks, gloves are primarily personal protective equipment to protect health care workers from acquiring infections from bodily fluids.

Are masks more effective at preventing transmissions when everyone wears them? Intuitively you would expect so, but there really isn't good data demonstrating a practical effect at reducing transmissions in real-world settings. Even if we assume there is a benefit, we very regularly make choices that are less than the best available protection. Did you install a five-point harness in your car for yourself, or do you continue to use a three-point seat belt?

I'm really, really tired of the argument that we should accept easily-mitigable risks in health care, on grounds that we accept uniquely (compared to other wealthy countries) high risks in driving.

At the basis of all of these arguments against masks, in limited settings, to prevent transmission of communicable things, is: "I don't wanna wear a mask." Which, ok, you don't wanna wear a mask. So say so. Don't dress it up. We know that masks would work, if people would wear them.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless my kid is exhibiting symptoms, my kid going to school. At this point, it's no worse than the flu, and we should treat it as such.

It is no worse than influenza except for when it is worse than influenza.

For the vast vast majority of people, it is not worse than the flu.

If you didn't quarantine for 5 days after being exposed to the flu but had no symptoms, then you don't need to with covid.

Every year, some people die from complications from the flu, yet we didn't force kids to quarantine for just being exposed.

I get that we needed to quarantine when covid first hit because we didn't know enough about the virus, and also we did not have a vax, but we do now, and it's no worse than the flu.

Way more people die of covid than flu. Stop parroting unhelpful talking points

Look at the recent covid death rate and compare it to influenza deaths in winter months.

Before covid, did you lock yourself down in the winter? Wear masks? Or did you instead go Christmas shopping and attend holiday parties?

1. More people die of covid than influenza
2. Influenza is seasonal covid is not yet seasonal
3. Who said anything about locking down? We are discussing staying home when ill. And yes I was cautious in flu months. That’s what a double lung transplant due to LAM does to you

The US has been at or below 100 covid deaths/day for several months now. Influenza killed about 28,000 during the 2018-19 flu season, which wasn't a particularly bad year. Nearly all of those deaths are over a 3 month period in the winter. That comes out to about 300 influenza deaths per day.

Influenza is more deadly in a typical winter than covid is right now.

You're comparing annual rates for covid to seasonal rates for seasonal influenza. Bad comparison. Estimates of covid deaths in the US in 2022 are on the order of 250,000, compared to the number you provided of 28,000 flu deaths in 2018-2019.

While there might be one poster is that is proposing broad, permanent universal masking, there are a few others that are attempting the justify masking based on a belief or perception that *currently* COVID poses a significant risk. But, again, if you compare the *current* situation with COVID to the typical situation with influenza in the winter, the current situation looks fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2023-2024/Community-message-20230906.html

This is a nice sentiment, but we can’t all stay home when we are sick. I am an MCPS employee and I need my sick days for doctor’s visits for myself and children.

Our society only supports certain professions staying home when we don’t feel well. Do they really think all of the teachers and kids with a stuffy nose and cough are going to stay home for over a week until they feel better? Lots of people COVID Meg but walking around sick.

This is a little dramatic. If you are a 10 month employee, you could schedule many of those appointments during summer break. Even if you’re not, school gets out earlier in the afternoon than many other jobs, and you can schedule appointments in the late afternoon. Or you children’s other parent, if there is one, could take them to some of their appointments. I get that sometimes it’s unavoidable to schedule outside school hours, but if you’re organized, you can minimize the impact to your sick day allocation.

You are assuming I’m in perfect health and only need to see a doctor once a year. I am in my 40’s with a history of skin cancer and arthritis. I see a dermatologist as often as my dentist, a Rheumetologist and podiatrist every 3 months. my kids also have specialists they need to see more than once a year. And I’m at the whim of these providers having a schedule that matches mine. Many offices are now closed on Fridays or federal holidays. Doctors can cancel appointments last minute like it’s no big deal. Heaven forbid I need to call a medical office during the school year! No cell service and no time during the day except lunch when most medical offices are closed for at least an hour. Keep shaming teachers and see where it gets you!

Your kids Dad can handle that or your spouse can handle calls for you. Never seen a doctors office closed Friday and they should be closed Federal Holidays. Dentists closed one day a week, yes, but never doctors.

Maybe you should just MYOB and send your kids with masks if you’re afraid of Covid (or any other virus). Just a thought, I doubt anonymously shaming anonymous teachers in DCUM will do anything for your cause.

If you are sending in your kids sick or the teacher is sick and it impacts my family, then yes, it is my business. So, you don't want to miss a week of work or school, yet you are ok subjecting other families to missing a week of school and work without any concern to others. It's sad that people are parenting their kids this way. Kids cannot count on their parents to be there when they need them nor are taught proper behavior for the community good. And, yes, we still mask. But, one person masking only helps so much especially when colds and flu are on surfaces.

It sounds like public school isn’t a good fit for your family.

And, what would be a better option?

Virtual academy? Or private schools with Covid policies that align with your preferences?

There are no privates with Covid policies. You don’t think we considered that.

Yes, most of society has moved on in the last 3 years. I know a few people that have been extremely happy with the VA.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Unless my kid is exhibiting symptoms, my kid going to school. At this point, it's no worse than the flu, and we should treat it as such.

It is no worse than influenza except for when it is worse than influenza.

For the vast vast majority of people, it is not worse than the flu.

If you didn't quarantine for 5 days after being exposed to the flu but had no symptoms, then you don't need to with covid.

Every year, some people die from complications from the flu, yet we didn't force kids to quarantine for just being exposed.

I get that we needed to quarantine when covid first hit because we didn't know enough about the virus, and also we did not have a vax, but we do now, and it's no worse than the flu.

Way more people die of covid than flu. Stop parroting unhelpful talking points

Look at the recent covid death rate and compare it to influenza deaths in winter months.

Before covid, did you lock yourself down in the winter? Wear masks? Or did you instead go Christmas shopping and attend holiday parties?

1. More people die of covid than influenza
2. Influenza is seasonal covid is not yet seasonal
3. Who said anything about locking down? We are discussing staying home when ill. And yes I was cautious in flu months. That’s what a double lung transplant due to LAM does to you

The US has been at or below 100 covid deaths/day for several months now. Influenza killed about 28,000 during the 2018-19 flu season, which wasn't a particularly bad year. Nearly all of those deaths are over a 3 month period in the winter. That comes out to about 300 influenza deaths per day.

Influenza is more deadly in a typical winter than covid is right now.

You're comparing annual rates for covid to seasonal rates for seasonal influenza. Bad comparison. Estimates of covid deaths in the US in 2022 are on the order of 250,000, compared to the number you provided of 28,000 flu deaths in 2018-2019.

While there might be one poster is that is proposing broad, permanent universal masking, there are a few others that are attempting the justify masking based on a belief or perception that *currently* COVID poses a significant risk. But, again, if you compare the *current* situation with COVID to the typical situation with influenza in the winter, the current situation looks fine.

Hey, what if the same actions that reduce the risks of transmitting COVID also reduced the risks of transmitting seasonal influenza? That would be a win-win.

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Anonymous wrote:Unless my kid is exhibiting symptoms, my kid going to school. At this point, it's no worse than the flu, and we should treat it as such.

It is no worse than influenza except for when it is worse than influenza.

For the vast vast majority of people, it is not worse than the flu.

If you didn't quarantine for 5 days after being exposed to the flu but had no symptoms, then you don't need to with covid.

Every year, some people die from complications from the flu, yet we didn't force kids to quarantine for just being exposed.

I get that we needed to quarantine when covid first hit because we didn't know enough about the virus, and also we did not have a vax, but we do now, and it's no worse than the flu.

Except for the people for whom it is worse than influenza.

C’mon. You know we’re talking about the vast vast majority of people. Why do you keep saying that?

I guess you don’t drive either. Because driving is relatively safe - most people don’t die in an accident. I know I know - except for the people who have died in a car accident

Do you use seatbelts? Airbags? Drive the speed limit? Obey traffic lights? Use car seats? Layered mitigation does wonders. We are g doing the same for covid

Part of layered mitigation, for covid, is staying home when you're sick, to reduce the possibilities of infecting other people with an infectious disease. Masks are another part of layered mitigation, especially in health care settings.

High-quality masks are used as personal protective equipment to protect staff from acquiring illnesses from patients known to have highly infectious diseases.

There wasn’t universal masking in health care settings before covid, and there isn’t now. If you’re worried, wear a mask to protect yourself— just like doctors and nurses who did so while directly treating unmasked patients with covid.

There's a lot more now, and it really ought to be standard, just like gloves are standard in health care settings. As you know, masks are more effective when everyone is wearing a mask.

Gloves aren’t standard in every health care setting or interaction. And there certainly isn't universal "gloving" for providers and patients. Like masks, gloves are primarily personal protective equipment to protect health care workers from acquiring infections from bodily fluids.

Are masks more effective at preventing transmissions when everyone wears them? Intuitively you would expect so, but there really isn't good data demonstrating a practical effect at reducing transmissions in real-world settings. Even if we assume there is a benefit, we very regularly make choices that are less than the best available protection. Did you install a five-point harness in your car for yourself, or do you continue to use a three-point seat belt?

I'm really, really tired of the argument that we should accept easily-mitigable risks in health care, on grounds that we accept uniquely (compared to other wealthy countries) high risks in driving.

At the basis of all of these arguments against masks, in limited settings, to prevent transmission of communicable things, is: "I don't wanna wear a mask." Which, ok, you don't wanna wear a mask. So say so. Don't dress it up. We know that masks would work, if people would wear them.

no we do not know that masks would work in a classroom of kindergarteners. nobody is going to put 5 year olds in fit-tested n95s that stay on 100% of the day. and we also know that covering up kindergarteners and their teacher’s faces has repercussions on learning and socializing. and we also know that covid is low risk now. ignoring all this and insisting that “masks work!!!” is idiotic.

Protecting the health of your community is never idiotic.

Failing to protect each other is idiotic.

No one knows the long term impact of covid on 5 year olds. Failing to protect them now is idiotic, cruel, inhumane and barbaric.

If you want to protect your 5yo from Covid at the expense of everything else, you have choices. Use them. Don’t attempt to impose your choices on everyone else though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is off the rails. It’s so disappointing that people are so callous about the health of others.

Teachers, I support you and think you deserve more leave. However, I hope you can find a way to stay home for 5 days rather than spread COVID to immune compromised kids and adults who may be sharing the building. Is it possible to take leave without pay?

Parents, part of being a parent is knowing kids get sick and you need to be there for them. It’s inconvenient and a hardship but it goes with the territory. Split time off with your spouse or co-parent. See if you can work from home (most people seem to still be doing that). If your child is in MS or HS, let them stay home alone. Please, do not send sick kids to school whether with COVID or anything else. It causes a domino effect where multiple classmates get ill and now you’ve just put fellow parents in the position you complained about.

Flu, COVID, stomach bugs - sick kids belong at home. COVID isn’t as dangerous as it once was but it is still dangerous to a segment of the community. And really it’s just common courtesy.

Absolutely, if your kid is exhibiting symptoms, they should stay at home.

But, if they were exposed with no symptoms, they should not have to stay at home. They don't stay at home just because they were exposed to the flu but have no symptoms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone realizes flu stay at home recommendation is only 24 hours after no fever regardless of symptoms, right?

yep, that's what we plan on doing.