FCPS Masking Update

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone think the sharp decline in new COVID cases in Fairfax County could provide an off-ramp, face saving rationale for FCPS to lift the mask mandate? I did a Google search on Fairfax County COVID and a graph came up that showed the 7 day case average coming down from ~2500 per day in mid January to 131 per day currently.

I was going to respond "not by March 1 but then checked the numbers. I see this:
Case Rate per 100k 50.89
I think that number needs to be at 49.9 or below for 7 days to be mask free per FCPS's previous communication. Looks like we will get don to moderate (if I am looking at the right number) but it won't have time to stay there for 7 days by March 1, obviously.

But encouraging to see we are close.

Or am I looking at the wrong thing?

They are so dumb - as of right now - I believe it has to be moderate for all of NOVA and not the county we are in - Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone think the sharp decline in new COVID cases in Fairfax County could provide an off-ramp, face saving rationale for FCPS to lift the mask mandate? I did a Google search on Fairfax County COVID and a graph came up that showed the 7 day case average coming down from ~2500 per day in mid January to 131 per day currently.

I was going to respond "not by March 1 but then checked the numbers. I see this:
Case Rate per 100k 50.89
I think that number needs to be at 49.9 or below for 7 days to be mask free per FCPS's previous communication. Looks like we will get don to moderate (if I am looking at the right number) but it won't have time to stay there for 7 days by March 1, obviously.

But encouraging to see we are close.

Or am I looking at the wrong thing?

But these metrics were just made up in the first place so what difference does it really make

It''s just surreal that these arbitrary CDC guidelines have taken on such importance in some parts of the country. Generally no one pays any attention to various CDC guidelines and there is very little about COVID-19 that the CDC has gotten right over the entire pandemic.

These numbers are just an extension of the argument. The reality is most people are living their lives like normal and masks in everyday life are pretty meaningless and optional. Many probably have their kids hanging out with friends and playing sports but then cling to masks in Schools strictly because the other ‘side’ wants to do away with them.

People who are concerned with Covid can wear N95s and take 4 vaccines if need be. Now it’s about power and tribalism. Not science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is still confusing. Some think FCPS can require them after mar 1 until their desired metrics are reached. Pretty sure that’s not the case.

This came up as a discussion in the staff lounge during lunch today. Nobody was quite sure what the plan is come March 1. We talked about the law, the superintendent's letter, "Moderate", and we just aren't clear.

My spouse is also a teacher and she said she asked her principal about March 1. He said he wasn't sure, but was hoping to get more information soon.

I believe they can still have a mask mandate, but parents can opt out of it. It's possible the law could give them the ability to require parents to formally opt out by submitting a form, but no other schools are doing this and it would be hard for teachers to enforce. It seems they will just go with opting out means not wearing a mask. Currently there is a federal mask mandate for buses, so it would be nice if they send some clarification on that before 3/1.

A mandate/rule that people can choose not to follow seems pretty pointless. I'd prefer they start referring to it as a guideline or suggestion. Some people will be masks off regardless of what is happening and will stay masks off even during a future spike because they think we never should have had masks. Some people see our numbers are down and feel it is currently safe or will soon be safe but would mask again in a future spike. Some people want masks until numbers are even lower or until a <5 vaccine is out. Some may have an immunocompromised kid or family member and never feel mask free is safe.

Having talked to a lot of parents, I believe the largest portion is in the "Some people recognize our numbers are down and feel it is currently safe or will soon be safe but would mask again in a future spike" group. This group, and the school as a whole, would likely benefit from FCPS maintaining some communication about when masks are requested/suggested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is still confusing. Some think FCPS can require them after mar 1 until their desired metrics are reached. Pretty sure that’s not the case.

This came up as a discussion in the staff lounge during lunch today. Nobody was quite sure what the plan is come March 1. We talked about the law, the superintendent's letter, "Moderate", and we just aren't clear.

My spouse is also a teacher and she said she asked her principal about March 1. He said he wasn't sure, but was hoping to get more information soon.

I believe they can still have a mask mandate, but parents can opt out of it. It's possible the law could give them the ability to require parents to formally opt out by submitting a form, but no other schools are doing this and it would be hard for teachers to enforce. It seems they will just go with opting out means not wearing a mask. Currently there is a federal mask mandate for buses, so it would be nice if they send some clarification on that before 3/1.

A mandate/rule that people can choose not to follow seems pretty pointless. I'd prefer they start referring to it as a guideline or suggestion. Some people will be masks off regardless of what is happening and will stay masks off even during a future spike because they think we never should have had masks. Some people see our numbers are down and feel it is currently safe or will soon be safe but would mask again in a future spike. Some people want masks until numbers are even lower or until a <5 vaccine is out. Some may have an immunocompromised kid or family member and never feel mask free is safe.

Having talked to a lot of parents, I believe the largest portion is in the "Some people recognize our numbers are down and feel it is currently safe or will soon be safe but would mask again in a future spike" group. This group, and the school as a whole, would likely benefit from FCPS maintaining some communication about when masks are requested/suggested.

Is this true? I keep seeing the bus claim on here, but it's certainly not happening in the majority of US states. Should the FBI be raiding Florida school buses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone think the sharp decline in new COVID cases in Fairfax County could provide an off-ramp, face saving rationale for FCPS to lift the mask mandate? I did a Google search on Fairfax County COVID and a graph came up that showed the 7 day case average coming down from ~2500 per day in mid January to 131 per day currently.

I was going to respond "not by March 1 but then checked the numbers. I see this:
Case Rate per 100k 50.89
I think that number needs to be at 49.9 or below for 7 days to be mask free per FCPS's previous communication. Looks like we will get don to moderate (if I am looking at the right number) but it won't have time to stay there for 7 days by March 1, obviously.

But encouraging to see we are close.

Or am I looking at the wrong thing?

I think we need to be at under 50 cases per week (per 100K), so that means we need to be at 7 cases or less per day (per 100K).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone think the sharp decline in new COVID cases in Fairfax County could provide an off-ramp, face saving rationale for FCPS to lift the mask mandate? I did a Google search on Fairfax County COVID and a graph came up that showed the 7 day case average coming down from ~2500 per day in mid January to 131 per day currently.

I was going to respond "not by March 1 but then checked the numbers. I see this:
Case Rate per 100k 50.89
I think that number needs to be at 49.9 or below for 7 days to be mask free per FCPS's previous communication. Looks like we will get don to moderate (if I am looking at the right number) but it won't have time to stay there for 7 days by March 1, obviously.

But encouraging to see we are close.

Or am I looking at the wrong thing?

But these metrics were just made up in the first place so what difference does it really make

It''s just surreal that these arbitrary CDC guidelines have taken on such importance in some parts of the country. Generally no one pays any attention to various CDC guidelines and there is very little about COVID-19 that the CDC has gotten right over the entire pandemic.

These numbers are just an extension of the argument. The reality is most people are living their lives like normal and masks in everyday life are pretty meaningless and optional. Many probably have their kids hanging out with friends and playing sports but then cling to masks in Schools strictly because the other ‘side’ wants to do away with them.

People who are concerned with Covid can wear N95s and take 4 vaccines if need be. Now it’s about power and tribalism. Not science.

It's sad that we are holding our kids hostage over political differences and political hacks like Brabrand are willing to go to the wall for it. What possible difference on COVID-19 is forcing kids to poorly wear cloth masks making? Especially as you are saying in every other aspect of life we are proceeding near normal without masks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is still confusing. Some think FCPS can require them after mar 1 until their desired metrics are reached. Pretty sure that’s not the case.

This came up as a discussion in the staff lounge during lunch today. Nobody was quite sure what the plan is come March 1. We talked about the law, the superintendent's letter, "Moderate", and we just aren't clear.

My spouse is also a teacher and she said she asked her principal about March 1. He said he wasn't sure, but was hoping to get more information soon.

I believe they can still have a mask mandate, but parents can opt out of it. It's possible the law could give them the ability to require parents to formally opt out by submitting a form, but no other schools are doing this and it would be hard for teachers to enforce. It seems they will just go with opting out means not wearing a mask. Currently there is a federal mask mandate for buses, so it would be nice if they send some clarification on that before 3/1.

A mandate/rule that people can choose not to follow seems pretty pointless. I'd prefer they start referring to it as a guideline or suggestion. Some people will be masks off regardless of what is happening and will stay masks off even during a future spike because they think we never should have had masks. Some people see our numbers are down and feel it is currently safe or will soon be safe but would mask again in a future spike. Some people want masks until numbers are even lower or until a <5 vaccine is out. Some may have an immunocompromised kid or family member and never feel mask free is safe.

Having talked to a lot of parents, I believe the largest portion is in the "Some people recognize our numbers are down and feel it is currently safe or will soon be safe but would mask again in a future spike" group. This group, and the school as a whole, would likely benefit from FCPS maintaining some communication about when masks are requested/suggested.

Is this true? I keep seeing the bus claim on here, but it's certainly not happening in the majority of US states. Should the FBI be raiding Florida school buses?

I don't know but hopefully it will help the bus driver shortage. Won't need so many buses if kids can't ride them due to wanting to be maskless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone think the sharp decline in new COVID cases in Fairfax County could provide an off-ramp, face saving rationale for FCPS to lift the mask mandate? I did a Google search on Fairfax County COVID and a graph came up that showed the 7 day case average coming down from ~2500 per day in mid January to 131 per day currently.

I was going to respond "not by March 1 but then checked the numbers. I see this:
Case Rate per 100k 50.89
I think that number needs to be at 49.9 or below for 7 days to be mask free per FCPS's previous communication. Looks like we will get don to moderate (if I am looking at the right number) but it won't have time to stay there for 7 days by March 1, obviously.

But encouraging to see we are close.

Or am I looking at the wrong thing?

I think we need to be at under 50 cases per week (per 100K), so that means we need to be at 7 cases or less per day (per 100K).

People hoping we will get to moderate and unmask are out of touch with the numbers from the past year.

we have to disregard CDC metrics or we will be masked in School forever. Unless we go to school in July.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is still confusing. Some think FCPS can require them after mar 1 until their desired metrics are reached. Pretty sure that’s not the case.

This came up as a discussion in the staff lounge during lunch today. Nobody was quite sure what the plan is come March 1. We talked about the law, the superintendent's letter, "Moderate", and we just aren't clear.

My spouse is also a teacher and she said she asked her principal about March 1. He said he wasn't sure, but was hoping to get more information soon.

I believe they can still have a mask mandate, but parents can opt out of it. It's possible the law could give them the ability to require parents to formally opt out by submitting a form, but no other schools are doing this and it would be hard for teachers to enforce. It seems they will just go with opting out means not wearing a mask. Currently there is a federal mask mandate for buses, so it would be nice if they send some clarification on that before 3/1.

A mandate/rule that people can choose not to follow seems pretty pointless. I'd prefer they start referring to it as a guideline or suggestion. Some people will be masks off regardless of what is happening and will stay masks off even during a future spike because they think we never should have had masks. Some people see our numbers are down and feel it is currently safe or will soon be safe but would mask again in a future spike. Some people want masks until numbers are even lower or until a <5 vaccine is out. Some may have an immunocompromised kid or family member and never feel mask free is safe.

Having talked to a lot of parents, I believe the largest portion is in the "Some people recognize our numbers are down and feel it is currently safe or will soon be safe but would mask again in a future spike" group. This group, and the school as a whole, would likely benefit from FCPS maintaining some communication about when masks are requested/suggested.

Is this true? I keep seeing the bus claim on here, but it's certainly not happening in the majority of US states. Should the FBI be raiding Florida school buses?

https://wtop.com/virginia/2022/02/new-virginia-law-makes-masking-in-schools-optional-but-still-required-on-school-buses/

It probably isn't being enforced and I would bet it is soon removed anyway. However unless we are told otherwise, anyone planning to opt out of masks on 3/1 should have their kid not ride the bus or tell their kid to wear a mask on the bus.

[Anonymous]

Today's 7 day ave is .......12

We could hover in the 8-12 zone for a long time.

Test positivity is 5%

Yes, masks are required on transportation like buses and airplanes. I agree with that.

But it's time to make masking optional in school.

[Anonymous]

My kids are coming home saying that teachers are telling them they don’t have to mask on March 1st. It sounds to me like it no longer depends on the metrics. FCPS has read the writing on the walls.

[Anonymous]

At first I thought the poorly-worded email was just setting the stage for a lawsuit. Now I'm starting to think not having more robust planning/communication is just them being predictably petty about it. They're trying to set up a dynamic whereby their stupid metrics are the rule and any student that follows the law is an outlier to be shunned/pitied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are coming home saying that teachers are telling them they don’t have to mask on March 1st. It sounds to me like it no longer depends on the metrics. FCPS has read the writing on the walls.

I told my own kids the same. I don’t want to cause issues for them and I really thought that was the case. Hopefully FCPS sends out clarification by then. They will wear masks in school if they are still required but want to take them off asap. And yes, I know they will still be required on the bus.

[Anonymous]

Well, my high school kid and a bunch of his friends said they are not wearing masks starting March 1st. He said most of the kids he knows that are only acquittances are going to stop wearing them too, so I don't think there will be peer pressure to keep them on - at least not at his high school. All of these high schoolers haven't been wearing masks at sports and/or get togethers outside of school since last summer so I don't see much difference stopping it at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is still confusing. Some think FCPS can require them after mar 1 until their desired metrics are reached. Pretty sure that’s not the case.

This came up as a discussion in the staff lounge during lunch today. Nobody was quite sure what the plan is come March 1. We talked about the law, the superintendent's letter, "Moderate", and we just aren't clear.

My spouse is also a teacher and she said she asked her principal about March 1. He said he wasn't sure, but was hoping to get more information soon.

This is totally unacceptable. I’m a parent and my kids are going maskless on March 1.

Hope you are ready to step up and teach if teachers quit.

This time we're serious! No, really...

Many have quit and resigned. Perhaps, more importantly, would-be teachers are changing academic and career plans because they see how many people crap on teachers. Where have you been?

Yes, the pandemic has caused many unexpected changes. I will never go back to the office and I don’t love it. But I am not stamping my feet and quitting. Teachers need to stop being babies. Another unexpected result is the many young adults who are voting Republican because they see who is looking out for them. Hint. It isn’t the Democrats.

Yeah. data doesn't bear out your little racist Tucker Carlson Jr nephews a s neices in your family but ok

Have you even looked at the recent election results?