Here is why we should close schools now.

[Anonymous]

Great idea!! My kids don't go to school means that I don't go to work. If I don't go to work, I don't get paid. If I don't get paid, my kids will no longer have a roof over their head. They may not be able to go back to school once it opens back up because who knows where we'll be...

[Anonymous]

They should close. It is a proven method to reducing pandemic transmissions. It is a real way to curb the spread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the kids safety, parents and community alike

Regardless of low mortality and mild manifestation of coronavirus in children, there are many children with underlying condition that will be in the high risk group.

Also considering demographics reality most of middle and high schoolers have parents and grandparents in 60+ group that is now in CDC stay home for preventive measures recommendation group.
These parents and grandparents live together with kids often in one household, many has lots of other risk factors at this age. Continued possible exposure of kids at schools put their caregivers at extreme risk for contraction and complications and possible death.
Kids can bring it home.

New CDC guidance says older adults should 'stay at home as much as possible' due to coronavirus
Early data suggests older people are twice as likely to have serious illness from the novel coronavirus, according to the CDC.

This ought to be top of mind for people over 60, and those with underlying health problems, such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, or compromised immune systems," Schaffner added. "The single most important thing you can do to avoid the virus is reduce your face to face contact with people."

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/06/health/coronavirus-older-people-social-distancing/index.html

I completely agree!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For basically 95% of people it is a cold. Relax.

Agree.
It is less lethal than the flu. Do we close schools when there is the flu? No.

Is there evidence for COVID-19 being less lethal than influenza? I have seen the opposite and am curious as to the source of your assertion.

“Doctors and scientists are working on estimating the mortality rate of COVID-19, but at present, it is thought to be higher than that of most strains of the flu.”

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-disease-2019-vs-the-flu

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no confidence that only closing schools will do anything significant. Yes kids spread germs, but unless a whole area is shut down, the virus will just continue through the adults.

No. There is actual public health data on this. It works. It is a good way to reduce rates of transmission. This is one of the tools public health officials have and should use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For basically 95% of people it is a cold. Relax.

Agree.
It is less lethal than the flu. Do we close schools when there is the flu? No.

It's much more lethal than the flu.

No, it’s more contagious than flu, not more lethal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What?! There are many kids who only eat at school. There are many families who can’t afford child care or can’t stay at home.

THIS. OP and the other PPs are clearly privileged folks that will not be impacted by school closures. Likely stay at home or work from home parents. Most of us are not so privileged. My DD's school has a 25% FARMs rate. A lot of kids get sent home with a bag of food on Friday afternoon to help them get through the weekend. This would be devastating for those children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What?! There are many kids who only eat at school. There are many families who can’t afford child care or can’t stay at home.

so what do they do during the summer?

Like DC and many other local districts, MCPS offers meals to everyone 18 and under who shows up in person at select sites M-F during limited hours. There’s no request for ID or proof of need. It’s generally drama free, but crowded. Crowding during an epidemic isn’t a good idea. Also, kids often have to travel to these sites. That means mixing with seniors on public transportation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For basically 95% of people it is a cold. Relax.

Agree.
It is less lethal than the flu. Do we close schools when there is the flu? No.

It's much more lethal than the flu.

No, it’s more contagious than flu, not more lethal.

It is both. At best, it has a CFR that is a multiple of 3 of influenza. And worst, it is 20-30x more lethal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What?! There are many kids who only eat at school. There are many families who can’t afford child care or can’t stay at home.

Curious. What do they do in the summer for meals?

In Fairfax County, this: https://www.fcps.edu/event/feeds-food-every-child-eat-during-summer-program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great idea!! My kids don't go to school means that I don't go to work. If I don't go to work, I don't get paid. If I don't get paid, my kids will no longer have a roof over their head. They may not be able to go back to school once it opens back up because who knows where we'll be...

So explain to me so I understand. Your kids are all too young to stay home alone, you don't have sick leave, you don't have telework, and you don't have a spouse to share these burdens? You don't have a family member to help babysit?

I am also a single mom and have been since my youngest was 1 and have no family in this area so I relate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For basically 95% of people it is a cold. Relax.

it is a sad, sad day to me to see that China values the lives of its citizens more that we do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What?! There are many kids who only eat at school. There are many families who can’t afford child care or can’t stay at home.

Curious. What do they do in the summer for meals?

That's a good question. I never even thought about that and I'm a teacher!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For basically 95% of people it is a cold. Relax.

it is a sad, sad day to me to see that China values the lives of its citizens more that we do.

You’re dreaming if you believe the Chinese Communists values its people. Or do you mean ECONOMIC value?

[Anonymous]

Disagree