In-person school plans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, Covid rates among teachers can be up four times higher than the general population:
https://inews.co.uk/news/education/coronavirus-schools-virus-rates-teachers-higher-local-community-figures-818457

You can understand why teachers so concerned.

The new Covid strain is expected to be the dominant strain by the end of March.

The vaccine protects a teacher from death but not from infection. Teachers are still very nervous about bringing the virus home and spreading it to family even if they themselves are protected.

Teachers in MD will begin getting vaccines at the end of this month.

Stop spreading fear and misinformation. Pfizer and Fauci have said the vaccine is effective against the new strain. Also vaccinated teachers infecting others is a possibility but no one knows the risk. Either way if that is a concern of teachers that means they can go back when other adults are vaccinated, not students.

[Anonymous]

Just so we're all clear here:

The CURRENT criteria for reopening school is community spread metrics not vaccination rates among teachers.

Schools will still be subject to following CDC guidelines of wearing a mask and social distancing. The guidelines are not going to change in the immediate future.

Kids are not going to be vaccinated in the immediate future either.

If you or your children cannot follow the CDC guidelines then maybe you should homeschool.

Mcps has not made any kind of public statement about how they're going to handle contagious children at school but they're going to have to have some kind of plan in place. unfortunately parents will either knowingly or unknowingly send contagious children to school and then either refuse to pick them up or not be able to pick them up immediately

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, Covid rates among teachers can be up four times higher than the general population:
https://inews.co.uk/news/education/coronavirus-schools-virus-rates-teachers-higher-local-community-figures-818457

You can understand why teachers so concerned.

The new Covid strain is expected to be the dominant strain by the end of March.

The vaccine protects a teacher from death but not from infection. Teachers are still very nervous about bringing the virus home and spreading it to family even if they themselves are protected.

Teachers in MD will begin getting vaccines at the end of this month.

Stop spreading fear and misinformation. Pfizer and Fauci have said the vaccine is effective against the new strain. Also vaccinated teachers infecting others is a possibility but no one knows the risk. Either way if that is a concern of teachers that means they can go back when other adults are vaccinated, not students.

Immediate PP that you responded to. How am I soreading misinformation? I just said that teachers will begin to be vaccinated in MD starting at the end of this month, which is accurate. I agree that they should go back when they are, and not wait for students. I also think that they should go back full-time at that point, masked but without six feet of distance, given the effect of COVID on kids. Parents who don’t want that should have the option to keep kids in virtual-only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, Covid rates among teachers can be up four times higher than the general population:
https://inews.co.uk/news/education/coronavirus-schools-virus-rates-teachers-higher-local-community-figures-818457

You can understand why teachers so concerned.

The new Covid strain is expected to be the dominant strain by the end of March.

The vaccine protects a teacher from death but not from infection. Teachers are still very nervous about bringing the virus home and spreading it to family even if they themselves are protected.

Teachers in MD will begin getting vaccines at the end of this month.

Stop spreading fear and misinformation. Pfizer and Fauci have said the vaccine is effective against the new strain. Also vaccinated teachers infecting others is a possibility but no one knows the risk. Either way if that is a concern of teachers that means they can go back when other adults are vaccinated, not students.

Immediate PP that you responded to. How am I soreading misinformation? I just said that teachers will begin to be vaccinated in MD starting at the end of this month, which is accurate. I agree that they should go back when they are, and not wait for students. I also think that they should go back full-time at that point, masked but without six feet of distance, given the effect of COVID on kids. Parents who don’t want that should have the option to keep kids in virtual-only.

I was responding to poster above you. I completely agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, Covid rates among teachers can be up four times higher than the general population:
https://inews.co.uk/news/education/coronavirus-schools-virus-rates-teachers-higher-local-community-figures-818457

You can understand why teachers so concerned.

The new Covid strain is expected to be the dominant strain by the end of March.

The vaccine protects a teacher from death but not from infection. Teachers are still very nervous about bringing the virus home and spreading it to family even if they themselves are protected.

Teachers in MD will begin getting vaccines at the end of this month.

Stop spreading fear and misinformation. Pfizer and Fauci have said the vaccine is effective against the new strain. Also vaccinated teachers infecting others is a possibility but no one knows the risk. Either way if that is a concern of teachers that means they can go back when other adults are vaccinated, not students.

Immediate PP that you responded to. How am I soreading misinformation? I just said that teachers will begin to be vaccinated in MD starting at the end of this month, which is accurate. I agree that they should go back when they are, and not wait for students. I also think that they should go back full-time at that point, masked but without six feet of distance, given the effect of COVID on kids. Parents who don’t want that should have the option to keep kids in virtual-only.

Go back to who? Students will not go back till we meet numbers, not teacher vaccinations. So, why push vaccinations on teachers when people are working in the public who actually need those vaccines. MCPS has been clear that they will not be testing regularly/weekly or at all. Asymptomatic folks are spreaders so we could have a full outbreak and it have deadly consequences before it is caught. COVID impacts kids. KIDS share with PARENTS and others which is a huge issue. You may want to minimize it as you need a free babysitter as you cannot handle your kids but you aren't thinking of anyone else or community spread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just so we're all clear here:

The CURRENT criteria for reopening school is community spread metrics not vaccination rates among teachers.

Schools will still be subject to following CDC guidelines of wearing a mask and social distancing. The guidelines are not going to change in the immediate future.

Kids are not going to be vaccinated in the immediate future either.

If you or your children cannot follow the CDC guidelines then maybe you should homeschool.

Mcps has not made any kind of public statement about how they're going to handle contagious children at school but they're going to have to have some kind of plan in place. unfortunately parents will either knowingly or unknowingly send contagious children to school and then either refuse to pick them up or not be able to pick them up immediately

MCPS will not be doing regular COVID testing or testing at all. They will not be doing temperature checks or any type of risk mitigation. They are not enforcing masks. They don't have enough sinks in every school to promote hand washing.

Going back is not based off teachers getting vaccinated but community spread. Without kids being vaccinated, there is a huge risk of spreading it to both students and families. Teachers can also be carriers even if vaccinated.

The issue is those pushing reopening are generally ones who don't care about the community spread and will send their kids to school sick.

Instead of telling those of us concerned to homeschool, grow up, use birth control as you cannot handle the kids you have and hire help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, Covid rates among teachers can be up four times higher than the general population:
https://inews.co.uk/news/education/coronavirus-schools-virus-rates-teachers-higher-local-community-figures-818457

You can understand why teachers so concerned.

The new Covid strain is expected to be the dominant strain by the end of March.

The vaccine protects a teacher from death but not from infection. Teachers are still very nervous about bringing the virus home and spreading it to family even if they themselves are protected.

Teachers in MD will begin getting vaccines at the end of this month.

Stop spreading fear and misinformation. Pfizer and Fauci have said the vaccine is effective against the new strain. Also vaccinated teachers infecting others is a possibility but no one knows the risk. Either way if that is a concern of teachers that means they can go back when other adults are vaccinated, not students.

Immediate PP that you responded to. How am I soreading misinformation? I just said that teachers will begin to be vaccinated in MD starting at the end of this month, which is accurate. I agree that they should go back when they are, and not wait for students. I also think that they should go back full-time at that point, masked but without six feet of distance, given the effect of COVID on kids. Parents who don’t want that should have the option to keep kids in virtual-only.

And, Parents like you should be forced to work one day a week at rotating open schools as substitutes and monitors since its so safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, Covid rates among teachers can be up four times higher than the general population:
https://inews.co.uk/news/education/coronavirus-schools-virus-rates-teachers-higher-local-community-figures-818457

You can understand why teachers so concerned.

The new Covid strain is expected to be the dominant strain by the end of March.

The vaccine protects a teacher from death but not from infection. Teachers are still very nervous about bringing the virus home and spreading it to family even if they themselves are protected.

Teachers in MD will begin getting vaccines at the end of this month.

Stop spreading fear and misinformation. Pfizer and Fauci have said the vaccine is effective against the new strain. Also vaccinated teachers infecting others is a possibility but no one knows the risk. Either way if that is a concern of teachers that means they can go back when other adults are vaccinated, not students.

Immediate PP that you responded to. How am I soreading misinformation? I just said that teachers will begin to be vaccinated in MD starting at the end of this month, which is accurate. I agree that they should go back when they are, and not wait for students. I also think that they should go back full-time at that point, masked but without six feet of distance, given the effect of COVID on kids. Parents who don’t want that should have the option to keep kids in virtual-only.

Go back to who? Students will not go back till we meet numbers, not teacher vaccinations. So, why push vaccinations on teachers when people are working in the public who actually need those vaccines. MCPS has been clear that they will not be testing regularly/weekly or at all. Asymptomatic folks are spreaders so we could have a full outbreak and it have deadly consequences before it is caught. COVID impacts kids. KIDS share with PARENTS and others which is a huge issue. You may want to minimize it as you need a free babysitter as you cannot handle your kids but you aren't thinking of anyone else or community spread.

If teachers are vaccinated, they could absolutely change the numbers. The 15/100k new infections/5% positivity were passed assuming no vaccinations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, Covid rates among teachers can be up four times higher than the general population:
https://inews.co.uk/news/education/coronavirus-schools-virus-rates-teachers-higher-local-community-figures-818457

You can understand why teachers so concerned.

The new Covid strain is expected to be the dominant strain by the end of March.

The vaccine protects a teacher from death but not from infection. Teachers are still very nervous about bringing the virus home and spreading it to family even if they themselves are protected.

Teachers in MD will begin getting vaccines at the end of this month.

Stop spreading fear and misinformation. Pfizer and Fauci have said the vaccine is effective against the new strain. Also vaccinated teachers infecting others is a possibility but no one knows the risk. Either way if that is a concern of teachers that means they can go back when other adults are vaccinated, not students.

Immediate PP that you responded to. How am I soreading misinformation? I just said that teachers will begin to be vaccinated in MD starting at the end of this month, which is accurate. I agree that they should go back when they are, and not wait for students. I also think that they should go back full-time at that point, masked but without six feet of distance, given the effect of COVID on kids. Parents who don’t want that should have the option to keep kids in virtual-only.

Citation for that timeline?

The most I’ve seen is a vague “in February” start date.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, Covid rates among teachers can be up four times higher than the general population:
https://inews.co.uk/news/education/coronavirus-schools-virus-rates-teachers-higher-local-community-figures-818457

You can understand why teachers so concerned.

The new Covid strain is expected to be the dominant strain by the end of March.

The vaccine protects a teacher from death but not from infection. Teachers are still very nervous about bringing the virus home and spreading it to family even if they themselves are protected.

Teachers in MD will begin getting vaccines at the end of this month.

Stop spreading fear and misinformation. Pfizer and Fauci have said the vaccine is effective against the new strain. Also vaccinated teachers infecting others is a possibility but no one knows the risk. Either way if that is a concern of teachers that means they can go back when other adults are vaccinated, not students.

Immediate PP that you responded to. How am I soreading misinformation? I just said that teachers will begin to be vaccinated in MD starting at the end of this month, which is accurate. I agree that they should go back when they are, and not wait for students. I also think that they should go back full-time at that point, masked but without six feet of distance, given the effect of COVID on kids. Parents who don’t want that should have the option to keep kids in virtual-only.

And, Parents like you should be forced to work one day a week at rotating open schools as substitutes and monitors since its so safe.

I would love to be able to volunteer in the class. My work schedule wouldn't allow me to do a full day, but I could definitely do a few hours at least once a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the kids have high risk family members, they will
also be vaccinated. Al adults will be vaccinated shortly. Covid is just not that dangerous to healthy people. Anyone who wants to can keep their kids home for the rest of the year.

Once teachers are vaccinated, there’s no need for anything other than masks for the rest of the years. Five days a week school is supported by the science.

The vaccine isn't approved for kids under 16. It will not be approved for another year or two as per FDA regulations. in a few years will be as common as the flu vaccine for kids but not right now

Students do not need to be vaccinated to return to school. No one other than unions are saying this. Even the new administration wants all schools open in 100 days. TeChers are going to be on the wrong side.

MCEA isn’t saying that either.

But for perspective in the vaccine:

“First, the vaccine is not 100% effective. There is still a chance that someone who has received the vaccine can get Covid-19. This is particularly true as there are many parts of the country that are undergoing substantial surges of infection. The rate of community transmission is very high, so there is still going to be a chance of contracting coronavirus even after getting vaccinated.

Second, the vaccine has not yet been shown to reduce transmission of the virus. We don't know if people who are vaccinated could still be carriers of the virus, even if they don't get sick. That means you could be protected yourself if you get exposed to someone with coronavirus, but you could still be a carrier of the virus. When you get together with your loved ones, you could spread it to those who aren't vaccinated.

If your grandkids live in the area, you could definitely safely see them outside, 6 feet apart. If you want to see them indoors, there is going to be some level of risk. That risk will be much lower than if you were not vaccinated, but the risk is still going to be there to you. And you could still be a risk to the unvaccinated members of your family, as you could be an asymptomatic carrier who transmits to them.“

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/10/health/grandparents-visits-covid-19-vaccine-wellnesss/index.html


Replace the phrases “loved ones” and grandkids with students and it is understandable why some teachers would be leery of in person if students are not vaccinated.

The president elect of MCEA referred to vaccination of students in the Washington Post as a condition.

Schools cannot be completely closed to any type of in person instruction until there is zero risk of COVID. It’s an absurd argument and not backed up by emerging data. We put bars and unions before children and families unlike other countries. It’s disgraceful. Sure it’s possible someone could transmit the virus after being vaccinated. A lot of things are possible. Schools can’t be closed for years. At some point some level of vaccination becomes enough to trade off the risks of COVID against the benefits of in person education.

Teachers who would advocate for continuing DL after teacher vaccinated aren’t doing so because they care about students.

She did NOT say it was a condition to return. She said it should be prioritized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, Covid rates among teachers can be up four times higher than the general population:
https://inews.co.uk/news/education/coronavirus-schools-virus-rates-teachers-higher-local-community-figures-818457

You can understand why teachers so concerned.

The new Covid strain is expected to be the dominant strain by the end of March.

The vaccine protects a teacher from death but not from infection. Teachers are still very nervous about bringing the virus home and spreading it to family even if they themselves are protected.

Teachers in MD will begin getting vaccines at the end of this month.

Stop spreading fear and misinformation. Pfizer and Fauci have said the vaccine is effective against the new strain. Also vaccinated teachers infecting others is a possibility but no one knows the risk. Either way if that is a concern of teachers that means they can go back when other adults are vaccinated, not students.

Immediate PP that you responded to. How am I soreading misinformation? I just said that teachers will begin to be vaccinated in MD starting at the end of this month, which is accurate. I agree that they should go back when they are, and not wait for students. I also think that they should go back full-time at that point, masked but without six feet of distance, given the effect of COVID on kids. Parents who don’t want that should have the option to keep kids in virtual-only.

Citation for that timeline?

The most I’ve seen is a vague “in February” start date.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/coronavirus/hogan-announces-expanded-covid-19-vaccine-eligibility-for-phases/

"Phase 1B, expected to begin in late January, has about 860,000 eligible people."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, Covid rates among teachers can be up four times higher than the general population:
https://inews.co.uk/news/education/coronavirus-schools-virus-rates-teachers-higher-local-community-figures-818457

You can understand why teachers so concerned.

The new Covid strain is expected to be the dominant strain by the end of March.

The vaccine protects a teacher from death but not from infection. Teachers are still very nervous about bringing the virus home and spreading it to family even if they themselves are protected.

Teachers in MD will begin getting vaccines at the end of this month.

Stop spreading fear and misinformation. Pfizer and Fauci have said the vaccine is effective against the new strain. Also vaccinated teachers infecting others is a possibility but no one knows the risk. Either way if that is a concern of teachers that means they can go back when other adults are vaccinated, not students.

Immediate PP that you responded to. How am I soreading misinformation? I just said that teachers will begin to be vaccinated in MD starting at the end of this month, which is accurate. I agree that they should go back when they are, and not wait for students. I also think that they should go back full-time at that point, masked but without six feet of distance, given the effect of COVID on kids. Parents who don’t want that should have the option to keep kids in virtual-only.

Go back to who? Students will not go back till we meet numbers, not teacher vaccinations. So, why push vaccinations on teachers when people are working in the public who actually need those vaccines. MCPS has been clear that they will not be testing regularly/weekly or at all. Asymptomatic folks are spreaders so we could have a full outbreak and it have deadly consequences before it is caught. COVID impacts kids. KIDS share with PARENTS and others which is a huge issue. You may want to minimize it as you need a free babysitter as you cannot handle your kids but you aren't thinking of anyone else or community spread.

If teachers are vaccinated, they could absolutely change the numbers. The 15/100k new infections/5% positivity were passed assuming no vaccinations.

No, its not going to change it that much. The issue is more the spread within the students and to their families and the community. Want to help the numbers, stay home.

[Anonymous]

I agree that if the Board of Education keeps all students in DL, then Montgomery County should skip vaccinating teachers till others in the community who can’t work online are vaccinated. The State of Maryland prioritized teachers with the goal of getting students back into the classroom. Vaccinating teachers who stay in digital learning does nothing to mitigate the spread of COVID in the community.

Parents have a choice for whether or not to send their children to school for in person learning. The vaccines are not approved or tested on young children yet. It’s not an option to vaccinate them. However, the downside of digital learning for some children has been worse than COVID. I for one am willing to send my child back with a mask and social distancing so he can access supports he gets in person but MCPS has not provided in digital learning. For children with disabilities, they have been denied equal access in digital learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, Covid rates among teachers can be up four times higher than the general population:
https://inews.co.uk/news/education/coronavirus-schools-virus-rates-teachers-higher-local-community-figures-818457

You can understand why teachers so concerned.

The new Covid strain is expected to be the dominant strain by the end of March.

The vaccine protects a teacher from death but not from infection. Teachers are still very nervous about bringing the virus home and spreading it to family even if they themselves are protected.

Teachers in MD will begin getting vaccines at the end of this month.

Stop spreading fear and misinformation. Pfizer and Fauci have said the vaccine is effective against the new strain. Also vaccinated teachers infecting others is a possibility but no one knows the risk. Either way if that is a concern of teachers that means they can go back when other adults are vaccinated, not students.

Immediate PP that you responded to. How am I soreading misinformation? I just said that teachers will begin to be vaccinated in MD starting at the end of this month, which is accurate. I agree that they should go back when they are, and not wait for students. I also think that they should go back full-time at that point, masked but without six feet of distance, given the effect of COVID on kids. Parents who don’t want that should have the option to keep kids in virtual-only.

Go back to who? Students will not go back till we meet numbers, not teacher vaccinations. So, why push vaccinations on teachers when people are working in the public who actually need those vaccines. MCPS has been clear that they will not be testing regularly/weekly or at all. Asymptomatic folks are spreaders so we could have a full outbreak and it have deadly consequences before it is caught. COVID impacts kids. KIDS share with PARENTS and others which is a huge issue. You may want to minimize it as you need a free babysitter as you cannot handle your kids but you aren't thinking of anyone else or community spread.

the decision to vaccinate teachers ahead of other groups of people was a decision made by Hogan I think to encourage schools to reopen. However no one can be forced to be vaccinated. There hasn't been any kind of clarity about how teachers are going to be vaccinated or if there is some kind of priority for teachers who are working in person vs teachers who aren't.