Masking policy Arlington Diocesan Schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am reminded of the posts late summer 2020 and all of the people commenting on parochial schools and their push to open schools when all the public’s remained closed.

For what is is worth, my DC will keep their mask on for 2-4 more weeks. After that, we are going to gladly put them in our pocket and replace them with a smile.

I was in favor of the schools being in person. I sent my kids even though we had a virtual option. We still have a responsibility to reduce the burden while cases are very high. That people are so black and white in their thinking is terrible. Masks have a place when cases are high. We should adjust when cases are low. And be ready to utilize them again (along with other mitigation techniques) should cases go up again after Omicron.

This is how I feel too. Before school started our school had a plan to require masks if community spread was in the high or substantial range and likely switch to optional if spread was in the mild or moderate range. I was ok with that. The fact that metrics aren’t being used tells me this is a political thing by the governor’s office (figuring he needs to please the anti maskers who voted for him) and the diocesan leadership is aligned with this stance. It’s gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am reminded of the posts late summer 2020 and all of the people commenting on parochial schools and their push to open schools when all the public’s remained closed.

For what is is worth, my DC will keep their mask on for 2-4 more weeks. After that, we are going to gladly put them in our pocket and replace them with a smile.

I was in favor of the schools being in person. I sent my kids even though we had a virtual option. We still have a responsibility to reduce the burden while cases are very high. That people are so black and white in their thinking is terrible. Masks have a place when cases are high. We should adjust when cases are low. And be ready to utilize them again (along with other mitigation techniques) should cases go up again after Omicron.

This is how I feel too. Before school started our school had a plan to require masks if community spread was in the high or substantial range and likely switch to optional if spread was in the mild or moderate range. I was ok with that. The fact that metrics aren’t being used tells me this is a political thing by the governor’s office (figuring he needs to please the anti maskers who voted for him) and the diocesan leadership is aligned with this stance. It’s gross.

The problem with the metrics approach is that the current metrics were put in place by a political group - the CDc. With the amount of testing we are doing, the metrics are unattainable. Also are case base metrics relevant anymore? Using current metrics, we’d likely see kids unmasked may-September of each year and that’s it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am reminded of the posts late summer 2020 and all of the people commenting on parochial schools and their push to open schools when all the public’s remained closed.

For what is is worth, my DC will keep their mask on for 2-4 more weeks. After that, we are going to gladly put them in our pocket and replace them with a smile.

I was in favor of the schools being in person. I sent my kids even though we had a virtual option. We still have a responsibility to reduce the burden while cases are very high. That people are so black and white in their thinking is terrible. Masks have a place when cases are high. We should adjust when cases are low. And be ready to utilize them again (along with other mitigation techniques) should cases go up again after Omicron.

This is how I feel too. Before school started our school had a plan to require masks if community spread was in the high or substantial range and likely switch to optional if spread was in the mild or moderate range. I was ok with that. The fact that metrics aren’t being used tells me this is a political thing by the governor’s office (figuring he needs to please the anti maskers who voted for him) and the diocesan leadership is aligned with this stance. It’s gross.

The problem with the metrics approach is that the current metrics were put in place by a political group - the CDc. With the amount of testing we are doing, the metrics are unattainable. Also are case base metrics relevant anymore? Using current metrics, we’d likely see kids unmasked may-September of each year and that’s it.

Doctor here. Hospitalization data is neither political nor tied to another group with interests beyond, well, helping people and understanding our capacity to do so.
You have completely missed the point - it’s not just that people are testing positive more because we are testing more as a whole.
Our hospital system is crushed.

Hospitalization data does NOT support taking masks off in settings like schools (and elsewhere) right now.

and please spare me your false argument about kids not getting sick enough to require hospitalization, or the like.
The reality is that the more this spreads unchecked, the more people do require hospitalization.

Get your kids and yourselves vaccinated. Wear good fitting, quality masks when numbers tell us to do so (like right now).
I agree that this should NOT be a political topic and instead driven by reality. The current reality tells us strongly that now is not the time to be taking away mitigations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am reminded of the posts late summer 2020 and all of the people commenting on parochial schools and their push to open schools when all the public’s remained closed.

For what is is worth, my DC will keep their mask on for 2-4 more weeks. After that, we are going to gladly put them in our pocket and replace them with a smile.

I was in favor of the schools being in person. I sent my kids even though we had a virtual option. We still have a responsibility to reduce the burden while cases are very high. That people are so black and white in their thinking is terrible. Masks have a place when cases are high. We should adjust when cases are low. And be ready to utilize them again (along with other mitigation techniques) should cases go up again after Omicron.

This is how I feel too. Before school started our school had a plan to require masks if community spread was in the high or substantial range and likely switch to optional if spread was in the mild or moderate range. I was ok with that. The fact that metrics aren’t being used tells me this is a political thing by the governor’s office (figuring he needs to please the anti maskers who voted for him) and the diocesan leadership is aligned with this stance. It’s gross.

The problem with the metrics approach is that the current metrics were put in place by a political group - the CDc. With the amount of testing we are doing, the metrics are unattainable. Also are case base metrics relevant anymore? Using current metrics, we’d likely see kids unmasked may-September of each year and that’s it.

Doctor here. Hospitalization data is neither political nor tied to another group with interests beyond, well, helping people and understanding our capacity to do so.
You have completely missed the point - it’s not just that people are testing positive more because we are testing more as a whole.
Our hospital system is crushed.

Hospitalization data does NOT support taking masks off in settings like schools (and elsewhere) right now.

and please spare me your false argument about kids not getting sick enough to require hospitalization, or the like.
The reality is that the more this spreads unchecked, the more people do require hospitalization.

Get your kids and yourselves vaccinated. Wear good fitting, quality masks when numbers tell us to do so (like right now).
I agree that this should NOT be a political topic and instead driven by reality. The current reality tells us strongly that now is not the time to be taking away mitigations.

+1

There will be a time to take them off, but given the current surge, now is not the time. Your kids are fine in masks, they really don’t notice them. Adults do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am reminded of the posts late summer 2020 and all of the people commenting on parochial schools and their push to open schools when all the public’s remained closed.

For what is is worth, my DC will keep their mask on for 2-4 more weeks. After that, we are going to gladly put them in our pocket and replace them with a smile.

I was in favor of the schools being in person. I sent my kids even though we had a virtual option. We still have a responsibility to reduce the burden while cases are very high. That people are so black and white in their thinking is terrible. Masks have a place when cases are high. We should adjust when cases are low. And be ready to utilize them again (along with other mitigation techniques) should cases go up again after Omicron.

This is how I feel too. Before school started our school had a plan to require masks if community spread was in the high or substantial range and likely switch to optional if spread was in the mild or moderate range. I was ok with that. The fact that metrics aren’t being used tells me this is a political thing by the governor’s office (figuring he needs to please the anti maskers who voted for him) and the diocesan leadership is aligned with this stance. It’s gross.

The problem with the metrics approach is that the current metrics were put in place by a political group - the CDc. With the amount of testing we are doing, the metrics are unattainable. Also are case base metrics relevant anymore? Using current metrics, we’d likely see kids unmasked may-September of each year and that’s it.

Doctor here. Hospitalization data is neither political nor tied to another group with interests beyond, well, helping people and understanding our capacity to do so.
You have completely missed the point - it’s not just that people are testing positive more because we are testing more as a whole.
Our hospital system is crushed.

Hospitalization data does NOT support taking masks off in settings like schools (and elsewhere) right now.

and please spare me your false argument about kids not getting sick enough to require hospitalization, or the like.
The reality is that the more this spreads unchecked, the more people do require hospitalization.

Get your kids and yourselves vaccinated. Wear good fitting, quality masks when numbers tell us to do so (like right now).
I agree that this should NOT be a political topic and instead driven by reality. The current reality tells us strongly that now is not the time to be taking away mitigations.

The CDC/Schools aren't using hospitalization as a metric. They are using number of Cases. There is no end insight for forced mitigations, so now parents have been given the right to decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am reminded of the posts late summer 2020 and all of the people commenting on parochial schools and their push to open schools when all the public’s remained closed.

For what is is worth, my DC will keep their mask on for 2-4 more weeks. After that, we are going to gladly put them in our pocket and replace them with a smile.

I was in favor of the schools being in person. I sent my kids even though we had a virtual option. We still have a responsibility to reduce the burden while cases are very high. That people are so black and white in their thinking is terrible. Masks have a place when cases are high. We should adjust when cases are low. And be ready to utilize them again (along with other mitigation techniques) should cases go up again after Omicron.

This is how I feel too. Before school started our school had a plan to require masks if community spread was in the high or substantial range and likely switch to optional if spread was in the mild or moderate range. I was ok with that. The fact that metrics aren’t being used tells me this is a political thing by the governor’s office (figuring he needs to please the anti maskers who voted for him) and the diocesan leadership is aligned with this stance. It’s gross.

You hit the mail on the head.

[Anonymous]

As much as I hate the cold, I plan on holding more lessons outside if kids are unmasked in my class. Please send your kids with masks and quality outerwear, just in case! I know it sounds extreme, but I have to take care of myself (cancer survivor) and my elderly mother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As much as I hate the cold, I plan on holding more lessons outside if kids are unmasked in my class. Please send your kids with masks and quality outerwear, just in case! I know it sounds extreme, but I have to take care of myself (cancer survivor) and my elderly mother.

Threatening to abuse our children by freezing them in the cold over this is really sick. You should not be around kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As much as I hate the cold, I plan on holding more lessons outside if kids are unmasked in my class. Please send your kids with masks and quality outerwear, just in case! I know it sounds extreme, but I have to take care of myself (cancer survivor) and my elderly mother.

Threatening to abuse our children by freezing them in the cold over this is really sick. You should not be around kids.

I will follow the school’s temperature cut off for recess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As much as I hate the cold, I plan on holding more lessons outside if kids are unmasked in my class. Please send your kids with masks and quality outerwear, just in case! I know it sounds extreme, but I have to take care of myself (cancer survivor) and my elderly mother.

My child would have loved to have class outside all fall to avoid wearing a mask for 8 hours straight. But our school didn't do that. They were sometimes even asked asked to wear it at the 15 minutes of outdoor recess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As much as I hate the cold, I plan on holding more lessons outside if kids are unmasked in my class. Please send your kids with masks and quality outerwear, just in case! I know it sounds extreme, but I have to take care of myself (cancer survivor) and my elderly mother.

Threatening to abuse our children by freezing them in the cold over this is really sick. You should not be around kids.

I will follow the school’s temperature cut off for recess.

Well played! Remind kids to pack water for hot, humid days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am reminded of the posts late summer 2020 and all of the people commenting on parochial schools and their push to open schools when all the public’s remained closed.

For what is is worth, my DC will keep their mask on for 2-4 more weeks. After that, we are going to gladly put them in our pocket and replace them with a smile.

I was in favor of the schools being in person. I sent my kids even though we had a virtual option. We still have a responsibility to reduce the burden while cases are very high. That people are so black and white in their thinking is terrible. Masks have a place when cases are high. We should adjust when cases are low. And be ready to utilize them again (along with other mitigation techniques) should cases go up again after Omicron.

This is how I feel too. Before school started our school had a plan to require masks if community spread was in the high or substantial range and likely switch to optional if spread was in the mild or moderate range. I was ok with that. The fact that metrics aren’t being used tells me this is a political thing by the governor’s office (figuring he needs to please the anti maskers who voted for him) and the diocesan leadership is aligned with this stance. It’s gross.

The problem with the metrics approach is that the current metrics were put in place by a political group - the CDc. With the amount of testing we are doing, the metrics are unattainable. Also are case base metrics relevant anymore? Using current metrics, we’d likely see kids unmasked may-September of each year and that’s it.

Doctor here. Hospitalization data is neither political nor tied to another group with interests beyond, well, helping people and understanding our capacity to do so.
You have completely missed the point - it’s not just that people are testing positive more because we are testing more as a whole.
Our hospital system is crushed.

Hospitalization data does NOT support taking masks off in settings like schools (and elsewhere) right now.

and please spare me your false argument about kids not getting sick enough to require hospitalization, or the like.
The reality is that the more this spreads unchecked, the more people do require hospitalization.

Get your kids and yourselves vaccinated. Wear good fitting, quality masks when numbers tell us to do so (like right now).
I agree that this should NOT be a political topic and instead driven by reality. The current reality tells us strongly that now is not the time to be taking away mitigations.

The CDC/Schools aren't using hospitalization as a metric. They are using number of Cases. There is no end insight for forced mitigations, so now parents have been given the right to decide.

“Forced mitigations” are appropriate during spikes.

Whatever metric you choose right now does not support removing mitigations.

[Anonymous]

God, just keep the masks on until this incredibly infectious surge abates. You people defy logic.

[Anonymous]

It’s great to all vent here but what are people doing? What can people do. People that have written share to whom and give addresses. Are any groups organizing protests, lawsuits, petitions? Let’s channel these feelings to actions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are not anti-mask for not wanting young children in masks 7 hours a day. They have done it for 2 years now. While public schools kids were at home and unmasked on a computer, these kids were all in masks all day. They feel after 2 years and vaccinations available to all, there needs to be an end, as there are other consequences.

Right. And the time for that should be after Omicron has blown through. Not while we have extremely high transmission.

Indeed. And they should come back if there’s a future spike.

Of course.