APS- 95% in person for the fall

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait. Are people COMPLAINING that kids are wearing masks in the fall?

You can’t be serious.

Agree- it’s never enough for these folks.

Yes. APE is going to advocate for removing masks next. Just you watch.

Which is crazy because I have yet to hear a kid complain about masks in schools and I work in several different classes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not surprised.

Even the nuttiest nutters I know are sending kids back.

My concern is that, since their kids are back, those folks will push for unreasonable measures that are inconsistent with APS providing actual education.

"unreasonable measures?"

What do you consider unreasonable?

On in person days my K-2 kid is on her iPad about 80-90% of the day. Either teachers are

-- delivering classes virtually because they are afraid of exposure despite being classified as "in person" with no health issues,
--"team teaching" so one teacher is teaching 30+ kids in two classrooms at the same time so each teacher only has to prep and teach half as much,
--teaching in person, but the room is set up so awkwardly that kids can't see the whiteboard, or
-- playing a prerecorded video of themselves teaching instead of actually teaching in person, despite being physically present in the classroom.

All of this is happening daily. It all needs to stop.

That stinks. My K kid does a lot of work on paper on in person days. The ipad comes home at 90% charge. From what he says, he just uses it for Dreambox and Lexia during choice time and maybe for his art special, not sure if she comes in person. I know PE is in person in the gym because I heard all about the little crab scooter things. They are as close to "real" school as possible.

Update - came home today with 99% charge on the ipad and told me the art teacher comes and teaches in the room. Somehow I'm still surprised how different the experience is in different schools operating under the same district-wide guidance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait. Are people COMPLAINING that kids are wearing masks in the fall?

You can’t be serious.

Agree- it’s never enough for these folks.

Yes. APE is going to advocate for removing masks next. Just you watch.

YES PLEASE!! Rates are already very low, and will be much lower by the fall. Every adult in schools should be vaccinated by then. Why do kids need to wear masks indefinitely? The risks of kids getting and spreading Covid is incredibly small. I am so over the masks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait. Are people COMPLAINING that kids are wearing masks in the fall?

You can’t be serious.

Agree- it’s never enough for these folks.

Yes. APE is going to advocate for removing masks next. Just you watch.

YES PLEASE!! Rates are already very low, and will be much lower by the fall. Every adult in schools should be vaccinated by then. Why do kids need to wear masks indefinitely? The risks of kids getting and spreading Covid is incredibly small. I am so over the masks.

Yes it's clear many people are over the masks but that's not a reason to take them off. I'll take them off when the CDC says to take them off, not when APE says it. APE has been saying the risks are small even during the surge. Not a credible source.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not surprised at all.

Though I really thought it would be more like 98% going in person.

It does highlight the disparity along racial lines. Some important information there to figure out what if anything APS can do to help minority families feel safer about sending their children back in-person.

APS, principals, others at the school, sped teachers have been calling families — and calling multiple times asking why remaining virtual and do they have any questions. At some point, there’s only so much they can do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not surprised.

Even the nuttiest nutters I know are sending kids back.

My concern is that, since their kids are back, those folks will push for unreasonable measures that are inconsistent with APS providing actual education.

"unreasonable measures?"

What do you consider unreasonable?

On in person days my K-2 kid is on her iPad about 80-90% of the day. Either teachers are

-- delivering classes virtually because they are afraid of exposure despite being classified as "in person" with no health issues,
--"team teaching" so one teacher is teaching 30+ kids in two classrooms at the same time so each teacher only has to prep and teach half as much,
--teaching in person, but the room is set up so awkwardly that kids can't see the whiteboard, or
-- playing a prerecorded video of themselves teaching instead of actually teaching in person, despite being physically present in the classroom.

All of this is happening daily. It all needs to stop.

That stinks. My K kid does a lot of work on paper on in person days. The ipad comes home at 90% charge. From what he says, he just uses it for Dreambox and Lexia during choice time and maybe for his art special, not sure if she comes in person. I know PE is in person in the gym because I heard all about the little crab scooter things. They are as close to "real" school as possible.

Update - came home today with 99% charge on the ipad and told me the art teacher comes and teaches in the room. Somehow I'm still surprised how different the experience is in different schools operating under the same district-wide guidance.

The internet was down for a large portion of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not surprised.

Even the nuttiest nutters I know are sending kids back.

My concern is that, since their kids are back, those folks will push for unreasonable measures that are inconsistent with APS providing actual education.

"unreasonable measures?"

What do you consider unreasonable?

On in person days my K-2 kid is on her iPad about 80-90% of the day. Either teachers are

-- delivering classes virtually because they are afraid of exposure despite being classified as "in person" with no health issues,
--"team teaching" so one teacher is teaching 30+ kids in two classrooms at the same time so each teacher only has to prep and teach half as much,
--teaching in person, but the room is set up so awkwardly that kids can't see the whiteboard, or
-- playing a prerecorded video of themselves teaching instead of actually teaching in person, despite being physically present in the classroom.

All of this is happening daily. It all needs to stop.

That stinks. My K kid does a lot of work on paper on in person days. The ipad comes home at 90% charge. From what he says, he just uses it for Dreambox and Lexia during choice time and maybe for his art special, not sure if she comes in person. I know PE is in person in the gym because I heard all about the little crab scooter things. They are as close to "real" school as possible.

Update - came home today with 99% charge on the ipad and told me the art teacher comes and teaches in the room. Somehow I'm still surprised how different the experience is in different schools operating under the same district-wide guidance.

The internet was down for a large portion of the day.

We got an email it was back up at 9:19 and the school day starts at 9:00. I don't think that's it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait. Are people COMPLAINING that kids are wearing masks in the fall?

You can’t be serious.

No. I am in the APE facebook group and have NOT seen that. There are complaints about kids wearing masks outside for summer camp and at recess which I wholeheartedly agree! My pediatrician is also very mad about it and is hopeful CDC updates it's guidance soon because it makes NO SENSE!!! But yes, we need kids in masks in school until they are vaccinated.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:Not surprised.

Even the nuttiest nutters I know are sending kids back.

My concern is that, since their kids are back, those folks will push for unreasonable measures that are inconsistent with APS providing actual education.

"unreasonable measures?"

What do you consider unreasonable?

Not that PP, but--fixating on a certain amount of distance/capacity (6', 3') when we might be seeing a tiny number of COVID cases by then. I expect most MS and HS kids to be vaccinated by the start of the next school year, but I also think people will push to mandate that kids get vaccinated which I think is a bad call. (If we're heading in that direction--we should start by mandating that teachers get flu shots!!!! There is WAY more data around this and it would benefit the kids!) I also think a subset of APS parents are letting the perfect be the enemy of the good by obsessing over stuff like outdoor lunches, HVAC, and such. They have made some tweaks and improvements--I would prefer that they ALWAYS allow older kids some flexibility around where they choose to eat--but I think it's overkill to spend the next 4 months harping on the same stuff. Use that energy to do vaccine outreach!

My elementary school originally said that there would be no written work done on in person days (it would still be all on the ipad) due to the need to avoid touching contaminated surfaces/disinfecting. They walked that back -- in fact my youngest doesn't even use her ipad on in person days -- but that would be unreasonable and inconsistent with providing education. Masks, reasonable distancing during lunch, etc, all sounds good to me.

My ES kid is still on an iPad basically all day during in person days and they just removed the Plexiglass box from around the desks. We are not follow the science here. I am fine with masks in the fall if they are needed, but we don't make kids/adults wear masks during a regular flu season. Many of the precautions we're taking now are fine and I fully accept and even embrace them. I fill out the Qualtrics thing 7 days a week, we wear masks indoors, no indoor play dates, etc etc etc. But if we are at a point where we're seeing, say, a couple of COVID cases a week in Arlington, are we still going to maintain the same level of precautions? Even for kids who are fully vaccinated (as all MS and HS kids will have the option to be by then)? I'm just saying that it doesn't seem worth it to me to keep debating things now when we can't anticipate what August looks like. APS has already said they'll follow CDC and VDH guidance--if mask mandates are lifted by late August, are APS parents going to flip out if APS doesn't override and maintain them? Experience tells me that yes, they will.

People generally are not asymptomatic when they get the flu and stay home or are sent home. LOTS of people - LOTS and LOTS of kids - can be asymptomatic but have AND SPREAD COVID. This is why masks are used for COVID and not for the freekin flu.

Masks are used for Covid right now, and that makes sense. However, there will come a time when the masks are unnecessary. Will it be fall? Probably not. Once there is a readily available pediatric vaccine for all kids, you're going to have a hard time justifying their continued use.

APS has said we will be masked in the fall.

APS has said that they will follow VDH and CDC recommendations. If those recommendations change by late August, it may mean kids are not wearing masks this fall unless APS decides to step outside of CDC/VDH guidance.

No one in elementary will be vaccinated. 100% ES kids will be in masks, not only to protect themselves, but the adults in the buildings.

Every adult in the building is already eligible to be vaccinated. If they choose not to, then that is their choice. But why does a 4 year old wear a mask to protect a vaccinated adult?

They can still get Covid, period. This debate is tired. The main reason we will mask kids is to protect them.

Vaccinated people can still get COVID, yes. Kids can and do get COVID. I am agreeing with you. HOWEVER, my question was an honest question. The virus attaches to ACE receptors in the respiratory tract. These are receptors that develop with age. This is why younger kids have ~1/2 the chance of contracting COVID as older kids and adults. Vaccines are VERY effective. They reduce the risk of contracting COVID dramatically and they drive the risks of serious illness, death, hospitalization to near-zero. SO--if we are collectively at a point in late August where we are seeing local rates of a case or 2 per week, does it still seem reasonable to make kids wear masks? It is an honest question and something I think people should consider now, lest we have #OneAPS demanding that everyone wear a mask even if CDC/VDH say they are not needed.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not surprised.

Even the nuttiest nutters I know are sending kids back.

My concern is that, since their kids are back, those folks will push for unreasonable measures that are inconsistent with APS providing actual education.

"unreasonable measures?"

What do you consider unreasonable?

Not that PP, but--fixating on a certain amount of distance/capacity (6', 3') when we might be seeing a tiny number of COVID cases by then. I expect most MS and HS kids to be vaccinated by the start of the next school year, but I also think people will push to mandate that kids get vaccinated which I think is a bad call. (If we're heading in that direction--we should start by mandating that teachers get flu shots!!!! There is WAY more data around this and it would benefit the kids!) I also think a subset of APS parents are letting the perfect be the enemy of the good by obsessing over stuff like outdoor lunches, HVAC, and such. They have made some tweaks and improvements--I would prefer that they ALWAYS allow older kids some flexibility around where they choose to eat--but I think it's overkill to spend the next 4 months harping on the same stuff. Use that energy to do vaccine outreach!

My elementary school originally said that there would be no written work done on in person days (it would still be all on the ipad) due to the need to avoid touching contaminated surfaces/disinfecting. They walked that back -- in fact my youngest doesn't even use her ipad on in person days -- but that would be unreasonable and inconsistent with providing education. Masks, reasonable distancing during lunch, etc, all sounds good to me.

My ES kid is still on an iPad basically all day during in person days and they just removed the Plexiglass box from around the desks. We are not follow the science here. I am fine with masks in the fall if they are needed, but we don't make kids/adults wear masks during a regular flu season. Many of the precautions we're taking now are fine and I fully accept and even embrace them. I fill out the Qualtrics thing 7 days a week, we wear masks indoors, no indoor play dates, etc etc etc. But if we are at a point where we're seeing, say, a couple of COVID cases a week in Arlington, are we still going to maintain the same level of precautions? Even for kids who are fully vaccinated (as all MS and HS kids will have the option to be by then)? I'm just saying that it doesn't seem worth it to me to keep debating things now when we can't anticipate what August looks like. APS has already said they'll follow CDC and VDH guidance--if mask mandates are lifted by late August, are APS parents going to flip out if APS doesn't override and maintain them? Experience tells me that yes, they will.

People generally are not asymptomatic when they get the flu and stay home or are sent home. LOTS of people - LOTS and LOTS of kids - can be asymptomatic but have AND SPREAD COVID. This is why masks are used for COVID and not for the freekin flu.

Masks are used for Covid right now, and that makes sense. However, there will come a time when the masks are unnecessary. Will it be fall? Probably not. Once there is a readily available pediatric vaccine for all kids, you're going to have a hard time justifying their continued use.

APS has said we will be masked in the fall.

APS has said that they will follow VDH and CDC recommendations. If those recommendations change by late August, it may mean kids are not wearing masks this fall unless APS decides to step outside of CDC/VDH guidance.

No one in elementary will be vaccinated. 100% ES kids will be in masks, not only to protect themselves, but the adults in the buildings.

Every adult in the building is already eligible to be vaccinated. If they choose not to, then that is their choice. But why does a 4 year old wear a mask to protect a vaccinated adult?

They can still get Covid, period. This debate is tired. The main reason we will mask kids is to protect them.

Vaccinated people can still get COVID, yes. Kids can and do get COVID. I am agreeing with you. HOWEVER, my question was an honest question. The virus attaches to ACE receptors in the respiratory tract. These are receptors that develop with age. This is why younger kids have ~1/2 the chance of contracting COVID as older kids and adults. Vaccines are VERY effective. They reduce the risk of contracting COVID dramatically and they drive the risks of serious illness, death, hospitalization to near-zero. SO--if we are collectively at a point in late August where we are seeing local rates of a case or 2 per week, does it still seem reasonable to make kids wear masks? It is an honest question and something I think people should consider now, lest we have #OneAPS demanding that everyone wear a mask even if CDC/VDH say they are not needed.

Vaccinations are slowing down already. I don't think we will get that low. As a teacher I plan on wearing one all of next year because I want fewer illnesses in general. I don't particularly care if my elementary students wear them but I don't think it's a bad idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not surprised.

Even the nuttiest nutters I know are sending kids back.

My concern is that, since their kids are back, those folks will push for unreasonable measures that are inconsistent with APS providing actual education.

"unreasonable measures?"

What do you consider unreasonable?

Not that PP, but--fixating on a certain amount of distance/capacity (6', 3') when we might be seeing a tiny number of COVID cases by then. I expect most MS and HS kids to be vaccinated by the start of the next school year, but I also think people will push to mandate that kids get vaccinated which I think is a bad call. (If we're heading in that direction--we should start by mandating that teachers get flu shots!!!! There is WAY more data around this and it would benefit the kids!) I also think a subset of APS parents are letting the perfect be the enemy of the good by obsessing over stuff like outdoor lunches, HVAC, and such. They have made some tweaks and improvements--I would prefer that they ALWAYS allow older kids some flexibility around where they choose to eat--but I think it's overkill to spend the next 4 months harping on the same stuff. Use that energy to do vaccine outreach!

My elementary school originally said that there would be no written work done on in person days (it would still be all on the ipad) due to the need to avoid touching contaminated surfaces/disinfecting. They walked that back -- in fact my youngest doesn't even use her ipad on in person days -- but that would be unreasonable and inconsistent with providing education. Masks, reasonable distancing during lunch, etc, all sounds good to me.

My ES kid is still on an iPad basically all day during in person days and they just removed the Plexiglass box from around the desks. We are not follow the science here. I am fine with masks in the fall if they are needed, but we don't make kids/adults wear masks during a regular flu season. Many of the precautions we're taking now are fine and I fully accept and even embrace them. I fill out the Qualtrics thing 7 days a week, we wear masks indoors, no indoor play dates, etc etc etc. But if we are at a point where we're seeing, say, a couple of COVID cases a week in Arlington, are we still going to maintain the same level of precautions? Even for kids who are fully vaccinated (as all MS and HS kids will have the option to be by then)? I'm just saying that it doesn't seem worth it to me to keep debating things now when we can't anticipate what August looks like. APS has already said they'll follow CDC and VDH guidance--if mask mandates are lifted by late August, are APS parents going to flip out if APS doesn't override and maintain them? Experience tells me that yes, they will.

People generally are not asymptomatic when they get the flu and stay home or are sent home. LOTS of people - LOTS and LOTS of kids - can be asymptomatic but have AND SPREAD COVID. This is why masks are used for COVID and not for the freekin flu.

This is just not true. Kids are *not* "generally asymptomatic" when they have COVID, though their symptoms may be mild (loss of smell, for example). But if you are basing this on serology studies, or studies on asymptomatic transmission, please make sure you are looking at reputable data. Serology studies have been widely criticized and studies have shown that asymptomatic spread of COVID is not the common scenario that was suspected/feared over a year ago. Does it happen? Yes. Just like fomite transmission happens, just like there are cases of outdoor transmission. But it is not common. Kids are being screened every single day for ANY symptoms and APS has indicated they are going to keep doing that. Again, if we are talking about a scenario in which there are a couple of cases of COVID per week--as I said--is it worth making everyone wear a mask indoors?

I didn't say kids with COVID are generally asymptomatic. I said people with the flu are NOT generally asymptomatic; but many with COVID are asymptomatic. And I wasn't taking a stance on whether masks should continue to be worn in the fall, or even now. I'm just tired of people referencing the flu when arguing for something about COVID. They are different situations.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not surprised.

Even the nuttiest nutters I know are sending kids back.

My concern is that, since their kids are back, those folks will push for unreasonable measures that are inconsistent with APS providing actual education.

"unreasonable measures?"

What do you consider unreasonable?

Not that PP, but--fixating on a certain amount of distance/capacity (6', 3') when we might be seeing a tiny number of COVID cases by then. I expect most MS and HS kids to be vaccinated by the start of the next school year, but I also think people will push to mandate that kids get vaccinated which I think is a bad call. (If we're heading in that direction--we should start by mandating that teachers get flu shots!!!! There is WAY more data around this and it would benefit the kids!) I also think a subset of APS parents are letting the perfect be the enemy of the good by obsessing over stuff like outdoor lunches, HVAC, and such. They have made some tweaks and improvements--I would prefer that they ALWAYS allow older kids some flexibility around where they choose to eat--but I think it's overkill to spend the next 4 months harping on the same stuff. Use that energy to do vaccine outreach!

My elementary school originally said that there would be no written work done on in person days (it would still be all on the ipad) due to the need to avoid touching contaminated surfaces/disinfecting. They walked that back -- in fact my youngest doesn't even use her ipad on in person days -- but that would be unreasonable and inconsistent with providing education. Masks, reasonable distancing during lunch, etc, all sounds good to me.

My ES kid is still on an iPad basically all day during in person days and they just removed the Plexiglass box from around the desks. We are not follow the science here. I am fine with masks in the fall if they are needed, but we don't make kids/adults wear masks during a regular flu season. Many of the precautions we're taking now are fine and I fully accept and even embrace them. I fill out the Qualtrics thing 7 days a week, we wear masks indoors, no indoor play dates, etc etc etc. But if we are at a point where we're seeing, say, a couple of COVID cases a week in Arlington, are we still going to maintain the same level of precautions? Even for kids who are fully vaccinated (as all MS and HS kids will have the option to be by then)? I'm just saying that it doesn't seem worth it to me to keep debating things now when we can't anticipate what August looks like. APS has already said they'll follow CDC and VDH guidance--if mask mandates are lifted by late August, are APS parents going to flip out if APS doesn't override and maintain them? Experience tells me that yes, they will.

People generally are not asymptomatic when they get the flu and stay home or are sent home. LOTS of people - LOTS and LOTS of kids - can be asymptomatic but have AND SPREAD COVID. This is why masks are used for COVID and not for the freekin flu.

Masks are used for Covid right now, and that makes sense. However, there will come a time when the masks are unnecessary. Will it be fall? Probably not. Once there is a readily available pediatric vaccine for all kids, you're going to have a hard time justifying their continued use.

APS has said we will be masked in the fall.

APS has said that they will follow VDH and CDC recommendations. If those recommendations change by late August, it may mean kids are not wearing masks this fall unless APS decides to step outside of CDC/VDH guidance.

No one in elementary will be vaccinated. 100% ES kids will be in masks, not only to protect themselves, but the adults in the buildings.

Every adult in the building is already eligible to be vaccinated. If they choose not to, then that is their choice. But why does a 4 year old wear a mask to protect a vaccinated adult?

They can still get Covid, period. This debate is tired. The main reason we will mask kids is to protect them.

Vaccinated people can still get COVID, yes. Kids can and do get COVID. I am agreeing with you. HOWEVER, my question was an honest question. The virus attaches to ACE receptors in the respiratory tract. These are receptors that develop with age. This is why younger kids have ~1/2 the chance of contracting COVID as older kids and adults. Vaccines are VERY effective. They reduce the risk of contracting COVID dramatically and they drive the risks of serious illness, death, hospitalization to near-zero. SO--if we are collectively at a point in late August where we are seeing local rates of a case or 2 per week, does it still seem reasonable to make kids wear masks? It is an honest question and something I think people should consider now, lest we have #OneAPS demanding that everyone wear a mask even if CDC/VDH say they are not needed.

I think there are multiple people in this chain. Nevertheless, my opinion is that we can't make that determination right now. We should be planning safety precautions according to what we know today and when mid-late August comes around, we'll see what the actual vaccination rates in Arlington are and what the CDC guidelines are at that time. If those local rates of 2 cases per week are not in anyway connected to the schools, then it's less likely to need to continue requiring masks. Personally, I think a flexible plan/process would be worth devising so that individual schools can react quickly should a positive case arise within it. However, it only takes one positive case without precautions in place to turn into a pandemic - hopefully this society has at least learned that this past year - so I can also say that it wouldn't be entirely unreasonable to continue requiring masks if vaccination rates are insufficient or there are regular positive cases in the schools, even if it is one or two a week.

[Anonymous]

In all honesty, I won’t be comfortable until there’s mandatory double masking for *all* students, teachers, etc. We need to trust the experts on this. Parents who send their children to school without proper precautions should be held accountable for putting others at risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not surprised.

Even the nuttiest nutters I know are sending kids back.

My concern is that, since their kids are back, those folks will push for unreasonable measures that are inconsistent with APS providing actual education.

"unreasonable measures?"

What do you consider unreasonable?

Not that PP, but--fixating on a certain amount of distance/capacity (6', 3') when we might be seeing a tiny number of COVID cases by then. I expect most MS and HS kids to be vaccinated by the start of the next school year, but I also think people will push to mandate that kids get vaccinated which I think is a bad call. (If we're heading in that direction--we should start by mandating that teachers get flu shots!!!! There is WAY more data around this and it would benefit the kids!) I also think a subset of APS parents are letting the perfect be the enemy of the good by obsessing over stuff like outdoor lunches, HVAC, and such. They have made some tweaks and improvements--I would prefer that they ALWAYS allow older kids some flexibility around where they choose to eat--but I think it's overkill to spend the next 4 months harping on the same stuff. Use that energy to do vaccine outreach!

My elementary school originally said that there would be no written work done on in person days (it would still be all on the ipad) due to the need to avoid touching contaminated surfaces/disinfecting. They walked that back -- in fact my youngest doesn't even use her ipad on in person days -- but that would be unreasonable and inconsistent with providing education. Masks, reasonable distancing during lunch, etc, all sounds good to me.

My ES kid is still on an iPad basically all day during in person days and they just removed the Plexiglass box from around the desks. We are not follow the science here. I am fine with masks in the fall if they are needed, but we don't make kids/adults wear masks during a regular flu season. Many of the precautions we're taking now are fine and I fully accept and even embrace them. I fill out the Qualtrics thing 7 days a week, we wear masks indoors, no indoor play dates, etc etc etc. But if we are at a point where we're seeing, say, a couple of COVID cases a week in Arlington, are we still going to maintain the same level of precautions? Even for kids who are fully vaccinated (as all MS and HS kids will have the option to be by then)? I'm just saying that it doesn't seem worth it to me to keep debating things now when we can't anticipate what August looks like. APS has already said they'll follow CDC and VDH guidance--if mask mandates are lifted by late August, are APS parents going to flip out if APS doesn't override and maintain them? Experience tells me that yes, they will.

People generally are not asymptomatic when they get the flu and stay home or are sent home. LOTS of people - LOTS and LOTS of kids - can be asymptomatic but have AND SPREAD COVID. This is why masks are used for COVID and not for the freekin flu.

This is just not true. Kids are *not* "generally asymptomatic" when they have COVID, though their symptoms may be mild (loss of smell, for example). But if you are basing this on serology studies, or studies on asymptomatic transmission, please make sure you are looking at reputable data. Serology studies have been widely criticized and studies have shown that asymptomatic spread of COVID is not the common scenario that was suspected/feared over a year ago. Does it happen? Yes. Just like fomite transmission happens, just like there are cases of outdoor transmission. But it is not common. Kids are being screened every single day for ANY symptoms and APS has indicated they are going to keep doing that. Again, if we are talking about a scenario in which there are a couple of cases of COVID per week--as I said--is it worth making everyone wear a mask indoors?

I didn't say kids with COVID are generally asymptomatic. I said people with the flu are NOT generally asymptomatic; but many with COVID are asymptomatic. And I wasn't taking a stance on whether masks should continue to be worn in the fall, or even now. I'm just tired of people referencing the flu when arguing for something about COVID. They are different situations.

New poster here. Are you sure the flu doesn't spread asymptomatically? A few years ago we had a family gathering to support a family member who was about to start cancer treatment. It turned out that one family member had the flu, but thought he was just a little tired. All 22 people at the gathering caught the flu and 3 people were hospitalized. It was a strain not covered by the vaccine that year. It was the sickest most of us had ever been--universally really, really bad.

Most of us also flew home and went to work or school before we realized we had the flu. I'm certain we all shared it widely. We should have been a CDC study.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait. Are people COMPLAINING that kids are wearing masks in the fall?

You can’t be serious.

Agree- it’s never enough for these folks.

Yes. APE is going to advocate for removing masks next. Just you watch.

YES PLEASE!! Rates are already very low, and will be much lower by the fall. Every adult in schools should be vaccinated by then. Why do kids need to wear masks indefinitely? The risks of kids getting and spreading Covid is incredibly small. I am so over the masks.

Tell that to the first grade class in my neighborhood that’s on 2 week virtual due to a positive case. My neighbor is super glad her kid was masked!