Data today 7pm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But here’s the million dollar question.
Of all these sick kids, of the thousands of cases reported, how many kids are SICK? Any hospitalizations? Anyone with severe symptoms? Or are there thousands of kids with a cough and runny nose in which case let’s all just please move on.

You don't understand how small percentages of astronomically large numbers work.

And I'm not even talking about short-term effects on kids.

Any one individual is likely to be fine, in the near term. Collectively there will be tremendous damage. The worst outcomes will be borne by a small percentage of a HUGE group-- as much as 40% of the entire population.

But that's not even the biggest issue-- the biggest issue is-- what were you avoiding short-term virtual FOR?

Better education?
Better socialization?
Childcare?
Safety?

In-person won't be providing these more than virtual would for the vast majority of schools. And while, in theory, okay, fine, just shut down 60% of schools, then! That's more trouble than it's worth.

Enjoy, though.

This!!!!!!!

Last year when we debated going back at the end of the year, my son said he only wanted to go back for social reasons. When I said he'd have to mask, distance, have lunch in classrooms or facing in one direction in the cafeteria, he said forget it. That didn't sound like fun.

The social interaction that the "never closers" want is simply non existent right now. So is the learning.

Like it or not, lots of kids and teachers aren't coming to school (for Covid or fear of Covid). That really slows down learning so staying in person is not a win for anyone.

That’s simply not true. You’ve taken the exaggeration too far in order to push your policy of choice.

It's funny that they think we're unable to talk to our kids about what it's actually like at school. I talk to my daughter every day about who's there, who's missing, and what she did at school. She's getting all the socialization and education she always does. Her teachers are there. Her friends are there. Then I come here and people tell me that's not true. Crazy.

Yes! This is an alternate universe. My child has reported normal school days. They are happy, learning and emotionally stable. As are their friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But here’s the million dollar question.
Of all these sick kids, of the thousands of cases reported, how many kids are SICK? Any hospitalizations? Anyone with severe symptoms? Or are there thousands of kids with a cough and runny nose in which case let’s all just please move on.

You don't understand how small percentages of astronomically large numbers work.

And I'm not even talking about short-term effects on kids.

Any one individual is likely to be fine, in the near term. Collectively there will be tremendous damage. The worst outcomes will be borne by a small percentage of a HUGE group-- as much as 40% of the entire population.

But that's not even the biggest issue-- the biggest issue is-- what were you avoiding short-term virtual FOR?

Better education?
Better socialization?
Childcare?
Safety?

In-person won't be providing these more than virtual would for the vast majority of schools. And while, in theory, okay, fine, just shut down 60% of schools, then! That's more trouble than it's worth.

Enjoy, though.

This!!!!!!!

Last year when we debated going back at the end of the year, my son said he only wanted to go back for social reasons. When I said he'd have to mask, distance, have lunch in classrooms or facing in one direction in the cafeteria, he said forget it. That didn't sound like fun.

The social interaction that the "never closers" want is simply non existent right now. So is the learning.

Like it or not, lots of kids and teachers aren't coming to school (for Covid or fear of Covid). That really slows down learning so staying in person is not a win for anyone.

That’s simply not true. You’ve taken the exaggeration too far in order to push your policy of choice.

It's funny that they think we're unable to talk to our kids about what it's actually like at school. I talk to my daughter every day about who's there, who's missing, and what she did at school. She's getting all the socialization and education she always does. Her teachers are there. Her friends are there. Then I come here and people tell me that's not true. Crazy.

Yes! This is an alternate universe. My child has reported normal school days. They are happy, learning and emotionally stable. As are their friends.

PP upthread is the definition of gaslighting. It's also not clear if poster/similar actually has kids in school now or if they're keeping them home while creating this false narrative online.

[Anonymous]

This!!!!!!!

Last year when we debated going back at the end of the year, my son said he only wanted to go back for social reasons. When I said he'd have to mask, distance, have lunch in classrooms or facing in one direction in the cafeteria, he said forget it. That didn't sound like fun.

The social interaction that the "never closers" want is simply non existent right now. So is the learning.

Like it or not, lots of kids and teachers aren't coming to school (for Covid or fear of Covid). That really slows down learning so staying in person is not a win for anyone.

That’s simply not true. You’ve taken the exaggeration too far in order to push your policy of choice.

It's funny that they think we're unable to talk to our kids about what it's actually like at school. I talk to my daughter every day about who's there, who's missing, and what she did at school. She's getting all the socialization and education she always does. Her teachers are there. Her friends are there. Then I come here and people tell me that's not true. Crazy.

Yes! This is an alternate universe. My child has reported normal school days. They are happy, learning and emotionally stable. As are their friends.


PP upthread is the definition of gaslighting. It's also not clear if poster/similar actually has kids in school now or if they're keeping them home while creating this false narrative online.

+3 (or whatever). I'm neither a "never closer" nor a "DL forever" parent, but the description that PP paints of in-person school this year is entirely off the mark. Even this week, the MS and HS school days are pretty normal. Kids arrive by bus, go to classes, eat lunch either outside or in the cafeteria, go to more classes, socialize between bells, and take part in extracurricular activities. Until last week, after-school activities were entirely normal, with buses running them home after they finished band or ceramics club or play rehearsal.

If PP's child is happy and well-adjusted in VA, then I'm happy for them. However, if PP frightened their child into VA by describing some sort of hellscape where no one is allowed to speak and everyone eats lunch facing the wall, then eventually their child is going to learn they were lied to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But here’s the million dollar question.
Of all these sick kids, of the thousands of cases reported, how many kids are SICK? Any hospitalizations? Anyone with severe symptoms? Or are there thousands of kids with a cough and runny nose in which case let’s all just please move on.

You don't understand how small percentages of astronomically large numbers work.

And I'm not even talking about short-term effects on kids.

Any one individual is likely to be fine, in the near term. Collectively there will be tremendous damage. The worst outcomes will be borne by a small percentage of a HUGE group-- as much as 40% of the entire population.

But that's not even the biggest issue-- the biggest issue is-- what were you avoiding short-term virtual FOR?

Better education?
Better socialization?
Childcare?
Safety?

In-person won't be providing these more than virtual would for the vast majority of schools. And while, in theory, okay, fine, just shut down 60% of schools, then! That's more trouble than it's worth.

Enjoy, though.

This!!!!!!!

Last year when we debated going back at the end of the year, my son said he only wanted to go back for social reasons. When I said he'd have to mask, distance, have lunch in classrooms or facing in one direction in the cafeteria, he said forget it. That didn't sound like fun.

The social interaction that the "never closers" want is simply non existent right now. So is the learning.

Like it or not, lots of kids and teachers aren't coming to school (for Covid or fear of Covid). That really slows down learning so staying in person is not a win for anyone.

That’s simply not true. You’ve taken the exaggeration too far in order to push your policy of choice.

It's funny that they think we're unable to talk to our kids about what it's actually like at school. I talk to my daughter every day about who's there, who's missing, and what she did at school. She's getting all the socialization and education she always does. Her teachers are there. Her friends are there. Then I come here and people tell me that's not true. Crazy.

Yes! This is an alternate universe. My child has reported normal school days. They are happy, learning and emotionally stable. As are their friends.

I agree-- last year was weird. But this year has been basically normal except for masks. (If anything, it has been *too* normal during the Omicron peak because kids are eating lunch normally, maskless, they're not in pods, they have normal PE, etc.) I'd personally be happy if schools closed for a couple of weeks til we are past the Maryland peak. But the reason I'm still sending my kid in each day is that it's her best socialization outlet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This!!!!!!!

Last year when we debated going back at the end of the year, my son said he only wanted to go back for social reasons. When I said he'd have to mask, distance, have lunch in classrooms or facing in one direction in the cafeteria, he said forget it. That didn't sound like fun.

The social interaction that the "never closers" want is simply non existent right now. So is the learning.

Like it or not, lots of kids and teachers aren't coming to school (for Covid or fear of Covid). That really slows down learning so staying in person is not a win for anyone.

That’s simply not true. You’ve taken the exaggeration too far in order to push your policy of choice.

It's funny that they think we're unable to talk to our kids about what it's actually like at school. I talk to my daughter every day about who's there, who's missing, and what she did at school. She's getting all the socialization and education she always does. Her teachers are there. Her friends are there. Then I come here and people tell me that's not true. Crazy.

Yes! This is an alternate universe. My child has reported normal school days. They are happy, learning and emotionally stable. As are their friends.


PP upthread is the definition of gaslighting. It's also not clear if poster/similar actually has kids in school now or if they're keeping them home while creating this false narrative online.

+3 (or whatever). I'm neither a "never closer" nor a "DL forever" parent, but the description that PP paints of in-person school this year is entirely off the mark. Even this week, the MS and HS school days are pretty normal. Kids arrive by bus, go to classes, eat lunch either outside or in the cafeteria, go to more classes, socialize between bells, and take part in extracurricular activities. Until last week, after-school activities were entirely normal, with buses running them home after they finished band or ceramics club or play rehearsal.

If PP's child is happy and well-adjusted in VA, then I'm happy for them. However, if PP frightened their child into VA by describing some sort of hellscape where no one is allowed to speak and everyone eats lunch facing the wall, then eventually their child is going to learn they were lied to.

Poster upthread is definitely keeping her kid home. I mean she talked the kid out of returning last school year. And now she's falsely painting a narrative to do the same for everybody.

[Anonymous]

All of you with healthy, thriving kids... you do realize there's a whole county out there, right? Many kids are not having the experience you describe. You're also not describing the experience of those-- even at your pristine, unnamed schools (please name them in that thread!)-- who are at home, quarantined, etc.

And, of course, your own kids might be in either of the same buckets soon.

Of course, they may never be!

Sure. Of course.



Note that I am not the/a PP who would make any broad pronouncements-- except to say things like "many" or "on average."

But this is DCUM, where every day, I see comments that are completely out of touch with the reality of anyone not in their situation.

"I don't understand why virtual would be better for working class POC? It seems to me that the only way in which they differ from me is that they have to work more and can't afford stuff?"

"Poor schools probably don't have much COVID."

CTFO

My kid's school has absences in the 25-50% range per class. I KNOW that is not the case at every school-- although at some schools, many more teachers are out than at hers. Even schools that feel normal-ish now, who never go over 20% absences, will be at least somewhat behind as teachers catch up kids who were out with COVID or exposed, quarantined and in a different class, etc. That's at a minimum.

As of this moment, kids have been in school for ~3.6 days since break. Surely conditions will only improve, right?

Like I said, none of this matters, because maybe (really!) you'll never have to deal with any of this! Good for you, you've earned it, by making the right choices!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of you with healthy, thriving kids... you do realize there's a whole county out there, right? Many kids are not having the experience you describe. You're also not describing the experience of those-- even at your pristine, unnamed schools (please name them in that thread!)-- who are at home, quarantined, etc.

And, of course, your own kids might be in either of the same buckets soon.

Of course, they may never be!

Sure. Of course.



Note that I am not the/a PP who would make any broad pronouncements-- except to say things like "many" or "on average."

But this is DCUM, where every day, I see comments that are completely out of touch with the reality of anyone not in their situation.

"I don't understand why virtual would be better for working class POC? It seems to me that the only way in which they differ from me is that they have to work more and can't afford stuff?"

"Poor schools probably don't have much COVID."

CTFO

My kid's school has absences in the 25-50% range per class. I KNOW that is not the case at every school-- although at some schools, many more teachers are out than at hers. Even schools that feel normal-ish now, who never go over 20% absences, will be at least somewhat behind as teachers catch up kids who were out with COVID or exposed, quarantined and in a different class, etc. That's at a minimum.

As of this moment, kids have been in school for ~3.6 days since break. Surely conditions will only improve, right?

Like I said, none of this matters, because maybe (really!) you'll never have to deal with any of this! Good for you, you've earned it, by making the right choices!

And my kid's class is almost totally there and would be having 50% absences if we went virtually, based on my experience with quarantine virtual earlier this year. Advocating for them to be in school, where they can learn, get meals, and socialize is very much "caring about other people." Lay off the guilt trip BS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of you with healthy, thriving kids... you do realize there's a whole county out there, right? Many kids are not having the experience you describe. You're also not describing the experience of those-- even at your pristine, unnamed schools (please name them in that thread!)-- who are at home, quarantined, etc.

And, of course, your own kids might be in either of the same buckets soon.

Of course, they may never be!

Sure. Of course.



Note that I am not the/a PP who would make any broad pronouncements-- except to say things like "many" or "on average."

But this is DCUM, where every day, I see comments that are completely out of touch with the reality of anyone not in their situation.

"I don't understand why virtual would be better for working class POC? It seems to me that the only way in which they differ from me is that they have to work more and can't afford stuff?"

"Poor schools probably don't have much COVID."

CTFO

My kid's school has absences in the 25-50% range per class. I KNOW that is not the case at every school-- although at some schools, many more teachers are out than at hers. Even schools that feel normal-ish now, who never go over 20% absences, will be at least somewhat behind as teachers catch up kids who were out with COVID or exposed, quarantined and in a different class, etc. That's at a minimum.

As of this moment, kids have been in school for ~3.6 days since break. Surely conditions will only improve, right?

Like I said, none of this matters, because maybe (really!) you'll never have to deal with any of this! Good for you, you've earned it, by making the right choices!

What is actually wrong with you.
Those of us with functional schools don’t have some crazed belief that it will always be so. We’re just saying it’s working fine right now and we don’t want to go to virtual for the whole county. If YOUR SCHOOL is in a mess, then it should probably go virtual. Advocate for that. I have one kid in a school that is doing ok, although cases are rising. But classes are normal and staff is there and why on earth should it be virtual right away because another school is struggling? How does that help anything? How does that mean we don’t care about the rest of the county? I have another kid in virtual. It is depressing but fine, although it does seem that his school could easily be in person right now. But whatever. That’s what had to happen to keep things rolling. We’re dealing best we can.

You are the selfish one, who can’t bear to believe that some kids will have normal school experiences while others will have to struggle or adapt. It just sounds like you won’t be happy until everyone is equally miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But here’s the million dollar question.
Of all these sick kids, of the thousands of cases reported, how many kids are SICK? Any hospitalizations? Anyone with severe symptoms? Or are there thousands of kids with a cough and runny nose in which case let’s all just please move on.

You don't understand how small percentages of astronomically large numbers work.

And I'm not even talking about short-term effects on kids.

Any one individual is likely to be fine, in the near term. Collectively there will be tremendous damage. The worst outcomes will be borne by a small percentage of a HUGE group-- as much as 40% of the entire population.

But that's not even the biggest issue-- the biggest issue is-- what were you avoiding short-term virtual FOR?

Better education?
Better socialization?
Childcare?
Safety?

In-person won't be providing these more than virtual would for the vast majority of schools. And while, in theory, okay, fine, just shut down 60% of schools, then! That's more trouble than it's worth.

Enjoy, though.

This!!!!!!!

Last year when we debated going back at the end of the year, my son said he only wanted to go back for social reasons. When I said he'd have to mask, distance, have lunch in classrooms or facing in one direction in the cafeteria, he said forget it. That didn't sound like fun.

The social interaction that the "never closers" want is simply non existent right now. So is the learning.

Like it or not, lots of kids and teachers aren't coming to school (for Covid or fear of Covid). That really slows down learning so staying in person is not a win for anyone.

That’s simply not true. You’ve taken the exaggeration too far in order to push your policy of choice.

It's funny that they think we're unable to talk to our kids about what it's actually like at school. I talk to my daughter every day about who's there, who's missing, and what she did at school. She's getting all the socialization and education she always does. Her teachers are there. Her friends are there. Then I come here and people tell me that's not true. Crazy.

Yes! This is an alternate universe. My child has reported normal school days. They are happy, learning and emotionally stable. As are their friends.

Same for us. And they are learning and thriving. Yes, there have been positive cases but the school has dealt with these very effectively. They certainly aren’t putting kids in the APR for a subject or any of the scenarios described on this forum.

People, if you want to keep your kids home, please do. Some of us want and need in-person education. My 2nd grader spent the first two years of her elementary school life staring at a zoom screen for 7 hours a day. No more!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of you with healthy, thriving kids... you do realize there's a whole county out there, right? Many kids are not having the experience you describe. You're also not describing the experience of those-- even at your pristine, unnamed schools (please name them in that thread!)-- who are at home, quarantined, etc.

And, of course, your own kids might be in either of the same buckets soon.

Of course, they may never be!

Sure. Of course.



Note that I am not the/a PP who would make any broad pronouncements-- except to say things like "many" or "on average."

But this is DCUM, where every day, I see comments that are completely out of touch with the reality of anyone not in their situation.

"I don't understand why virtual would be better for working class POC? It seems to me that the only way in which they differ from me is that they have to work more and can't afford stuff?"

"Poor schools probably don't have much COVID."

CTFO

My kid's school has absences in the 25-50% range per class. I KNOW that is not the case at every school-- although at some schools, many more teachers are out than at hers. Even schools that feel normal-ish now, who never go over 20% absences, will be at least somewhat behind as teachers catch up kids who were out with COVID or exposed, quarantined and in a different class, etc. That's at a minimum.

As of this moment, kids have been in school for ~3.6 days since break. Surely conditions will only improve, right?

Like I said, none of this matters, because maybe (really!) you'll never have to deal with any of this! Good for you, you've earned it, by making the right choices!

And my kid's class is almost totally there and would be having 50% absences if we went virtually, based on my experience with quarantine virtual earlier this year. Advocating for them to be in school, where they can learn, get meals, and socialize is very much "caring about other people." Lay off the guilt trip BS

+1. And caring for other people means not demanding everyone goes virtual, FFS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of you with healthy, thriving kids... you do realize there's a whole county out there, right? Many kids are not having the experience you describe. You're also not describing the experience of those-- even at your pristine, unnamed schools (please name them in that thread!)-- who are at home, quarantined, etc.

And, of course, your own kids might be in either of the same buckets soon.

Of course, they may never be!

Sure. Of course.



Note that I am not the/a PP who would make any broad pronouncements-- except to say things like "many" or "on average."

But this is DCUM, where every day, I see comments that are completely out of touch with the reality of anyone not in their situation.

"I don't understand why virtual would be better for working class POC? It seems to me that the only way in which they differ from me is that they have to work more and can't afford stuff?"

"Poor schools probably don't have much COVID."

CTFO

My kid's school has absences in the 25-50% range per class. I KNOW that is not the case at every school-- although at some schools, many more teachers are out than at hers. Even schools that feel normal-ish now, who never go over 20% absences, will be at least somewhat behind as teachers catch up kids who were out with COVID or exposed, quarantined and in a different class, etc. That's at a minimum.

As of this moment, kids have been in school for ~3.6 days since break. Surely conditions will only improve, right?

Like I said, none of this matters, because maybe (really!) you'll never have to deal with any of this! Good for you, you've earned it, by making the right choices!

What is actually wrong with you.
Those of us with functional schools don’t have some crazed belief that it will always be so. We’re just saying it’s working fine right now and we don’t want to go to virtual for the whole county. If YOUR SCHOOL is in a mess, then it should probably go virtual. Advocate for that. I have one kid in a school that is doing ok, although cases are rising. But classes are normal and staff is there and why on earth should it be virtual right away because another school is struggling? How does that help anything? How does that mean we don’t care about the rest of the county? I have another kid in virtual. It is depressing but fine, although it does seem that his school could easily be in person right now. But whatever. That’s what had to happen to keep things rolling. We’re dealing best we can.

You are the selfish one, who can’t bear to believe that some kids will have normal school experiences while others will have to struggle or adapt. It just sounds like you won’t be happy until everyone is equally miserable.

This is true. Our school is one of the one closed, and I don't wish this on anyone else in the county! My (neurotypical, gifted, straight A) kid is basically having PTSD in front of our eyes right now with virtual and its a challenge to comfort them. Yes, we were unlucky, but I still would want most kids to have the option to attend school in person. I do think that the rest of Jan should basically function as pass/fail, asynchronous on Canvas, etc., for everyone who needs it though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of you with healthy, thriving kids... you do realize there's a whole county out there, right? Many kids are not having the experience you describe. You're also not describing the experience of those-- even at your pristine, unnamed schools (please name them in that thread!)-- who are at home, quarantined, etc.

And, of course, your own kids might be in either of the same buckets soon.

Of course, they may never be!

Sure. Of course.



Note that I am not the/a PP who would make any broad pronouncements-- except to say things like "many" or "on average."

But this is DCUM, where every day, I see comments that are completely out of touch with the reality of anyone not in their situation.

"I don't understand why virtual would be better for working class POC? It seems to me that the only way in which they differ from me is that they have to work more and can't afford stuff?"

"Poor schools probably don't have much COVID."

CTFO

My kid's school has absences in the 25-50% range per class. I KNOW that is not the case at every school-- although at some schools, many more teachers are out than at hers. Even schools that feel normal-ish now, who never go over 20% absences, will be at least somewhat behind as teachers catch up kids who were out with COVID or exposed, quarantined and in a different class, etc. That's at a minimum.

As of this moment, kids have been in school for ~3.6 days since break. Surely conditions will only improve, right?

Like I said, none of this matters, because maybe (really!) you'll never have to deal with any of this! Good for you, you've earned it, by making the right choices!

When are you going to start caring about somebody besides yourself?

[Anonymous]

“My (neurotypical, gifted, straight A) kid is basically having PTSD in front of our eyes right now with virtual and its a challenge to comfort them.”

PP, could you talk a little bit more about this? Does your dc miss the socializing? Worry about instruction or grades? Have flashbacks to a year of distance learning? Worry that they won’t get to go back in person? Freak out about covid? Something else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“My (neurotypical, gifted, straight A) kid is basically having PTSD in front of our eyes right now with virtual and its a challenge to comfort them.”

PP, could you talk a little bit more about this? Does your dc miss the socializing? Worry about instruction or grades? Have flashbacks to a year of distance learning? Worry that they won’t get to go back in person? Freak out about covid? Something else?

She doesn't worry about grades - she's able to keep up, and I work from home; if she needs help I'm available. But she doesn't need much help. Also, our teachers have been prepared and present.
She does not freak out about covid. Parent is a physician and DD knows a fair amount. She is careful (wears an kn95, only hangs out with friends outside) but not obsessively so.
It is the socialization that is impacting her (impacting us all, really). She doesn't even want to logon most mornings - she just finds it mind-numbingly boring. I coax her with pep-talks and snacks. It's hard to see someone's love of learning just be slowly destroyed. And if it's this bad for us (educated with the ability to help her academically and emotionally), you have to wonder how hard it is for many others.
And yes, she's worried that there will be no end in sight with this. That her whole adolescence will be marked by periods of quarantine and VL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“My (neurotypical, gifted, straight A) kid is basically having PTSD in front of our eyes right now with virtual and its a challenge to comfort them.”

PP, could you talk a little bit more about this? Does your dc miss the socializing? Worry about instruction or grades? Have flashbacks to a year of distance learning? Worry that they won’t get to go back in person? Freak out about covid? Something else?

She doesn't worry about grades - she's able to keep up, and I work from home; if she needs help I'm available. But she doesn't need much help. Also, our teachers have been prepared and present.
She does not freak out about covid. Parent is a physician and DD knows a fair amount. She is careful (wears an kn95, only hangs out with friends outside) but not obsessively so.
It is the socialization that is impacting her (impacting us all, really). She doesn't even want to logon most mornings - she just finds it mind-numbingly boring. I coax her with pep-talks and snacks. It's hard to see someone's love of learning just be slowly destroyed. And if it's this bad for us (educated with the ability to help her academically and emotionally), you have to wonder how hard it is for many others.
And yes, she's worried that there will be no end in sight with this. That her whole adolescence will be marked by periods of quarantine and VL.

DP -- I don't mean to be snarky, but describing this as PTSD seems inaccurate.