Economist- Let them learn- The risks of keeping schools closed far outweigh the benefits

[Anonymous]

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/07/18/the-risks-of-keeping-schools-closed-far-outweigh-the-benefits?fbclid=IwAR3aWHwHAUu3yCEdbtG0aywVXZNz_v3scNGhdW0i6nEglfeX510KUxQuH4k

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“Education is the surest path out of poverty. Depriving children of it will doom them to poorer, shorter, less fulfilling lives. The World Bank estimates that five months of school closures would cut lifetime earnings for the children who are affected by $10trn in today’s money, equivalent to 7% of current annual GDP.

With such catastrophic potential losses, governments should be working out how to reopen schools as soon as it is safe. This should not be a partisan issue, as it has sadly become in America, where some people assume it is a bad idea simply because President Donald Trump proposes it. In some countries teachers’ unions have been obstructive, partly out of justified concern for public health as cases climb, but also because teachers’ interests are not the same as children’s—especially if they are being paid whether they work or not. The main union in Los Angeles urges that schools remain closed until a long wishlist of demands has been met, including the elusive dream of universal health care in America. Children cannot wait that long.”

[Anonymous]

This. 1000 times this

[Anonymous]

1000% agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1000% agree.

Not surprising.

[Anonymous]

Uh no. teachers are—to put it simply—scared to die.

There’s a pandemic and if schools hadn’t closed in march, the death toll would have been much higher.

The political part of this is how terribly Trump has handled it for months and months, calling it a hoax, never wearing a mask, pitting states against each other for proper equipment, firing the pandemic team long before this happened, refusing to listen to top health experts.

If teachers had proper PPE and schools could have soap and paper towels, maybe they wouldn’t be so scared, but my kids in McPs —a wealthy county —often don’t even have soap in the bathrooms. How the hell can they keep the virus at bay without the proper equipment?

[Anonymous]

All our energies should be on reopening schools. Those who would keep them closed will cause untold harm to these children and their futures.

[Anonymous]

For those who think we should open the school, under what conditions would you close them? Do you ever think the risks outweigh the benefits? Be specific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uh no. teachers are—to put it simply—scared to die.

There’s a pandemic and if schools hadn’t closed in march, the death toll would have been much higher.

The political part of this is how terribly Trump has handled it for months and months, calling it a hoax, never wearing a mask, pitting states against each other for proper equipment, firing the pandemic team long before this happened, refusing to listen to top health experts.

If teachers had proper PPE and schools could have soap and paper towels, maybe they wouldn’t be so scared, but my kids in McPs —a wealthy county —often don’t even have soap in the bathrooms. How the hell can they keep the virus at bay without the proper equipment?

Fear does not equate to facts. The long term negative impact on children is a fact. Teachers were screaming for shutdowns for the fall before schools were provided the opportunity to demonstrate their plan.

Either step up and do the job or find another profession. (See all other open businesses and their employees.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh no. teachers are—to put it simply—scared to die.

There’s a pandemic and if schools hadn’t closed in march, the death toll would have been much higher.

The political part of this is how terribly Trump has handled it for months and months, calling it a hoax, never wearing a mask, pitting states against each other for proper equipment, firing the pandemic team long before this happened, refusing to listen to top health experts.

If teachers had proper PPE and schools could have soap and paper towels, maybe they wouldn’t be so scared, but my kids in McPs —a wealthy county —often don’t even have soap in the bathrooms. How the hell can they keep the virus at bay without the proper equipment?

Fear does not equate to facts. The long term negative impact on children is a fact. Teachers were screaming for shutdowns for the fall before schools were provided the opportunity to demonstrate their plan.

Either step up and do the job or find another profession. (See all other open businesses and their employees.)

When would you shut down schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All our energies should be on reopening schools. Those who would keep them closed will cause untold harm to these children and their futures.

Agree.

All our energies should be on reducing COVID spread to a point where we can reopen schools. And worship again in churches. And attend plays in person. And have weddings and funerals again.

We need to focus intensively on reducing spread so we can keep new rate of infection low so we can get back to normal.

We HAVE to get back to normal. Kids need to be in school and they need to learn.

We can't skip the "reducing spread" part though.

[Anonymous]

Yes, let’s open schools.

Close the bars.
Get people to wear masks.
Provide adequate PPE and testing.
Bring down the # of new cases.

THEN we can talk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who think we should open the school, under what conditions would you close them? Do you ever think the risks outweigh the benefits? Be specific.

Closing a school should be based SOLELY on the infection rate and cases in the county/town. Closing should be a last resort not the other way around. Close bars, indoor dining, churches, limit retail, mandatory masks, etc.

The fact that bars and indoor dining is open and schools are closed shows the priorities of a community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who think we should open the school, under what conditions would you close them? Do you ever think the risks outweigh the benefits? Be specific.

Closing a school should be based SOLELY on the infection rate and cases in the county/town. Closing should be a last resort not the other way around. Close bars, indoor dining, churches, limit retail, mandatory masks, etc.

The fact that bars and indoor dining is open and schools are closed shows the priorities of a community.

So what is that infection rate? Does the new data showing kids 10-19 are the worst spreaders change your mind at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh no. teachers are—to put it simply—scared to die.

There’s a pandemic and if schools hadn’t closed in march, the death toll would have been much higher.

The political part of this is how terribly Trump has handled it for months and months, calling it a hoax, never wearing a mask, pitting states against each other for proper equipment, firing the pandemic team long before this happened, refusing to listen to top health experts.

If teachers had proper PPE and schools could have soap and paper towels, maybe they wouldn’t be so scared, but my kids in McPs —a wealthy county —often don’t even have soap in the bathrooms. How the hell can they keep the virus at bay without the proper equipment?

Fear does not equate to facts. The long term negative impact on children is a fact. Teachers were screaming for shutdowns for the fall before schools were provided the opportunity to demonstrate their plan.

Either step up and do the job or find another profession. (See all other open businesses and their employees.)

You don’t speak for all teachers. Just because you aren’t worried about the long-term health impact for your own health, doesn’t mean other teachers aren’t concerned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who think we should open the school, under what conditions would you close them? Do you ever think the risks outweigh the benefits? Be specific.

Closing a school should be based SOLELY on the infection rate and cases in the county/town. Closing should be a last resort not the other way around. Close bars, indoor dining, churches, limit retail, mandatory masks, etc.

The fact that bars and indoor dining is open and schools are closed shows the priorities of a community.

So what is that infection rate? Does the new data showing kids 10-19 are the worst spreaders change your mind at all?

You need to provide a cite for this or it will be ignored.