Should we prepare for virtual schooling starting in January?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Making at least the first two weeks of January virtual would make sense. I know families at our school who plan to travel internationally and they are not changing their plans. Covid will get worse in Jan. February should be better hopefully

Why? When it's spreading in the community? And nothing else is closing?

Why do we need things to close to be careful? Our government is not going to fix this so people need to.

Why, indeed? Keep the schools open.

Follow the advice of experts to help keep our community and kids safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do people jump to closures?! Why can’t we try other things first. Here are some ideas: mandatory vax and boosters for everyone eligible; weekly testing (LAUSD has done this since August); no indoor sports (sorry but it’s a problem); close the bars.

Because mcps failed to hire enough substitute teachers despite the fact that they knew we don't have enough. Failure of leadership.

? there are shortages everywhere, not just in MD. I don't want schools to close, and we are vaxxed. But, MCPS' inability to hire more subs is not really their fault.

Also, many of the existing subs aren't coming back.

What Garbage. It is absolutely their fault. They overpay central office staff and underpay teachers and subs. Just because other areas have piss poor leadership doesn't mean they shouldn't also be accountable. Leaders make things happen. Losers let things happen to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do people jump to closures?! Why can’t we try other things first. Here are some ideas: mandatory vax and boosters for everyone eligible; weekly testing (LAUSD has done this since August); no indoor sports (sorry but it’s a problem); close the bars.

Because mcps failed to hire enough substitute teachers despite the fact that they knew we don't have enough. Failure of leadership.

? there are shortages everywhere, not just in MD. I don't want schools to close, and we are vaxxed. But, MCPS' inability to hire more subs is not really their fault.

Also, many of the existing subs aren't coming back.

It is absolutely MCPS’s fault if they don’t substantially increase sub pay. We got plenty of covid funds to be able to pay $300/day.

I don't think most people are going to risk their lives for $5 or $10.

Are you unaware of all the people that were working for less throughout the pandemic, including when things were much more dangerous before the vaccine was available?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do people jump to closures?! Why can’t we try other things first. Here are some ideas: mandatory vax and boosters for everyone eligible; weekly testing (LAUSD has done this since August); no indoor sports (sorry but it’s a problem); close the bars.

Because mcps failed to hire enough substitute teachers despite the fact that they knew we don't have enough. Failure of leadership.

? there are shortages everywhere, not just in MD. I don't want schools to close, and we are vaxxed. But, MCPS' inability to hire more subs is not really their fault.

Also, many of the existing subs aren't coming back.

What Garbage. It is absolutely their fault. They overpay central office staff and underpay teachers and subs. Just because other areas have piss poor leadership doesn't mean they shouldn't also be accountable. Leaders make things happen. Losers let things happen to them.

ok, so are the red states that also cannot attract more subs also at fault and have pisspoor leadership? Tell me which states with a large school district like MCPS don't have a substitute problem

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do people jump to closures?! Why can’t we try other things first. Here are some ideas: mandatory vax and boosters for everyone eligible; weekly testing (LAUSD has done this since August); no indoor sports (sorry but it’s a problem); close the bars.

Because mcps failed to hire enough substitute teachers despite the fact that they knew we don't have enough. Failure of leadership.

? there are shortages everywhere, not just in MD. I don't want schools to close, and we are vaxxed. But, MCPS' inability to hire more subs is not really their fault.

Also, many of the existing subs aren't coming back.

It is absolutely MCPS’s fault if they don’t substantially increase sub pay. We got plenty of covid funds to be able to pay $300/day.

I don't think most people are going to risk their lives for $5 or $10.

Are you unaware of all the people that were working for less throughout the pandemic, including when things were much more dangerous before the vaccine was available?

so you'd be fine with an uneducated store clerk stocker being a substitute teacher for your child? I guess teachers are just glorified babysitters to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do people jump to closures?! Why can’t we try other things first. Here are some ideas: mandatory vax and boosters for everyone eligible; weekly testing (LAUSD has done this since August); no indoor sports (sorry but it’s a problem); close the bars.

Because mcps failed to hire enough substitute teachers despite the fact that they knew we don't have enough. Failure of leadership.

? there are shortages everywhere, not just in MD. I don't want schools to close, and we are vaxxed. But, MCPS' inability to hire more subs is not really their fault.

Also, many of the existing subs aren't coming back.

It is absolutely MCPS’s fault if they don’t substantially increase sub pay. We got plenty of covid funds to be able to pay $300/day.

I don't think most people are going to risk their lives for $5 or $10.

Are you unaware of all the people that were working for less throughout the pandemic, including when things were much more dangerous before the vaccine was available?

so you'd be fine with an uneducated store clerk stocker being a substitute teacher for your child? I guess teachers are just glorified babysitters to you.

You think only uneducated store clerks need to work to pay the bills?

It really is amazing how out-of-touch some DCUMers are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am hoarding cash in case I have to move back to private. But I don’t think they will - MoCo says they will be DL only if the state orders it, and Hogan wants to be president so he won’t.

Now that my kids are vaccinated, I even expect fewer quarantines than fall. More absent kids but just 1-2 who are actually (mildly) ill.

If that were true, how do you explain universities switching to virtual where 99% students are vaccinated? That’s what doesn’t make sense to me.

Haven't read the entire thread but colleges have a lot of very old faculty, combined with a student body that is more equipped to handle digital learning than at the elementary and secondary levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do people jump to closures?! Why can’t we try other things first. Here are some ideas: mandatory vax and boosters for everyone eligible; weekly testing (LAUSD has done this since August); no indoor sports (sorry but it’s a problem); close the bars.

Because mcps failed to hire enough substitute teachers despite the fact that they knew we don't have enough. Failure of leadership.

? there are shortages everywhere, not just in MD. I don't want schools to close, and we are vaxxed. But, MCPS' inability to hire more subs is not really their fault.

Also, many of the existing subs aren't coming back.

It is absolutely MCPS’s fault if they don’t substantially increase sub pay. We got plenty of covid funds to be able to pay $300/day.

I don't think most people are going to risk their lives for $5 or $10.

Are you unaware of all the people that were working for less throughout the pandemic, including when things were much more dangerous before the vaccine was available?

Really? I thought schools were shutdown then or are you talking about someone other than teachers to justify your weak argument?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am hoarding cash in case I have to move back to private. But I don’t think they will - MoCo says they will be DL only if the state orders it, and Hogan wants to be president so he won’t.

Now that my kids are vaccinated, I even expect fewer quarantines than fall. More absent kids but just 1-2 who are actually (mildly) ill.

If that were true, how do you explain universities switching to virtual where 99% students are vaccinated? That’s what doesn’t make sense to me.

Haven't read the entire thread but colleges have a lot of very old faculty, combined with a student body that is more equipped to handle digital learning than at the elementary and secondary levels.

Interesting opinion but that really isn't true. Several of my kid's teachers aren't especially young and I don't see that my kids are very used to sitting in front of a screen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Making at least the first two weeks of January virtual would make sense. I know families at our school who plan to travel internationally and they are not changing their plans. Covid will get worse in Jan. February should be better hopefully

Why? When it's spreading in the community? And nothing else is closing?

Why do we need things to close to be careful? Our government is not going to fix this so people need to.

Why, indeed? Keep the schools open.

Follow the advice of experts to help keep our community and kids safe.

Ignore the stupid platitudes and anecdotes and do THIS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Making at least the first two weeks of January virtual would make sense. I know families at our school who plan to travel internationally and they are not changing their plans. Covid will get worse in Jan. February should be better hopefully

Why? When it's spreading in the community? And nothing else is closing?

Why do we need things to close to be careful? Our government is not going to fix this so people need to.

Why, indeed? Keep the schools open.

Follow the advice of experts to help keep our community and kids safe.

Ignore the stupid platitudes and anecdotes and do THIS.

But this isn’t helpful. Which expert?

[Anonymous]

There's also crickets right now from the CDC on omicron.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do people jump to closures?! Why can’t we try other things first. Here are some ideas: mandatory vax and boosters for everyone eligible; weekly testing (LAUSD has done this since August); no indoor sports (sorry but it’s a problem); close the bars.

Because mcps failed to hire enough substitute teachers despite the fact that they knew we don't have enough. Failure of leadership.

? there are shortages everywhere, not just in MD. I don't want schools to close, and we are vaxxed. But, MCPS' inability to hire more subs is not really their fault.

Also, many of the existing subs aren't coming back.

What Garbage. It is absolutely their fault. They overpay central office staff and underpay teachers and subs. Just because other areas have piss poor leadership doesn't mean they shouldn't also be accountable. Leaders make things happen. Losers let things happen to them.

Teachers are decently paid. It’s not just about money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's also crickets right now from the CDC on omicron.

We never followed the cdc guidelines on reopening, why start now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It is serious as it is highly contagious. How do you know those infected are not seriously sick? What will it take to get you to take Covid seriously? If you want schools to stay open, you need to be part of the solution.

I am part of the solution. Specifically:

1. I am vaccinated + boostered. So is every other person in my family who is eligible for vaccination + booster.
2. I have worn masks in indoor public places since the spring of 2020. So has every other person in my family.
3. I am contacting my elected officials to tell them that schools need to stay open, and I am asking everyone I know to do the same.

You forgot 4.

4. Get an education degree so I can teach in January when teachers are out sick with COVID.

There's no school without teachers.

It is unfortunate that McKnight unilaterally removed the vaccine requirement in MCPS instead of adding a booster requirement. Responsible teachers are not going to get sick in large numbers.

Not at all. I know of so many people who got their booster and now have Covid. On triple-vaccinated person is currently in the hospital.

It’s possible that boosters could make things more complicated, actually. Some are arguing that people should wait for an Omicron specific booster.

From the article:
“The question is, if you keep priming and boosting with a strain, which is basically to make an immune response against the ancestral strain, will that limit your ability then to make an immune response to a virus, which is very much different than the ancestral?” said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/omicron-variant-best-strategy-omicron-boost-original-vaccine-rcna7451

Very, very few experts think that is a credible risk. The overwhelming majority of experts say to get booster as soon as possible. Not only do they reduce severity in medically frail individuals, they significantly reduce the risk of infection in healthier individuals. Teachers could avoid getting sick and could go on working through any potential Omicron surge.

Not when the County has ridiculous quarantine rules! Our kids have to quarantine for close contacts even if they are vaccinated. Our athletes are 100% vaccinated and are still quarantining.

That’s not accurate. Fully vaccinated close contacts do not quarantine unless they have symptoms.

Not true at my Kursk’ elementary school.

Under 12 are not fully vaccinated.

My 10 year old is. Maybe some aren’t because they didn’t get the vaccine right away, but those who did are fully vaccinated now (more than 2 weeks Post-second shot).

I’d say most of my third graders have been getting vaccinated and many received dose number two over the past week or so. Others were saying they are going this week.