Chances APS goes virtual after break?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could Arlington even go back to virtual temporarily? What does that need law say?

I am in favor of being safe and have my APS kid doing weekly testing. He is not boosted and wish we could do that. That said, Omnicron doesn’t seem that dangerous, maybe we can get through this by having kids home on break for two weeks and then looking with caution at what happens when we send them back. I wish we were testing everyone so that the kids who are actually spreading the virus would stay home.

Nope, there's a state law that prevents such nonsense, SB1303. Go hide in the corner.

I got a little bit of a head cold today. There's not a chance in hell that I'd go get tested. LET IT RIP!!!

Hopefully you will not be around anyone elderly or immune compromised, and hopefully you don’t end up meaning R.I.P.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friendly reminder here that everyone will get COVID and COVID is never going away. Thinking you can avoid it is like thinking you can avoid the son rising. You're not a morally bad person if you get it.

Vaccinated or not, everyone is likely to get COVID-19 at some point, many experts say
'The idea that we’re going to live our lives without ever getting it is a fantasy — and a dangerous one,' says one epidemiologist
https://www.ocregister.com/2021/10/03/vaccinated-or-not-everyone-is-likely-to-get-covid-19-at-some-point-many-experts-say/

I received dose number 3 in October. I know I could get Covid, but I’m not counting on catching it. I don’t know that I’ve ever had the flu. Do we say everyone will eventually catch the flu? I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a cold.

So close school so no one ever gets a cold again. Nope!

We've been doing all the wrong things since last summer. I have a cold today. No way in hell I'm getting tested for COVID because we have an awesome vacation planned over Xmas.

PP here. Of corse not. Why would anyone do that? I’m not sure how you arrived there from my post.

[Anonymous]

Just checked out the AEM discussion and I'm wondering what people think is wrong with it? Just the fact that it started with a suggestion to close schools temporarily? I thought the rest of the discussion from people who didn't necessarily want schools to close but wanted safety measures to be increased, to have outdoor lunch etc, was not bad. Are folks just absolutely against going back to virtual for a few weeks or a month in an attempt to get Omicron to calm down?

A good point mentioned on AEM was that it seems like our priorities are messed up when the county makes schools go virtual knowing that it will have negative educational effects on some kids, especially poor kids, when the county does not also prevent spread in other areas of the county like bars and restaurants and sports arenas and movie theaters. I do not think that Arlington should have virtual school but at the same time let everything else in Arlington continue on the way it has been and allow spread in other areas of the population. I think masking indoors is even optional in many places now, right? That's bananas.

At the same time, the people who are calling for letting the virus spread and letting the chips fall where they may are imho totally irresponsible.

My preference for schools would be having all kids and teachers tested at least weekly and positive people being sent home. Restaurants and bars move to outdoors and take out only. Indoor theaters and arenas either close or restrict seating so that everyone is sitting really far away from each other, but masks stay on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just checked out the AEM discussion and I'm wondering what people think is wrong with it? Just the fact that it started with a suggestion to close schools temporarily? I thought the rest of the discussion from people who didn't necessarily want schools to close but wanted safety measures to be increased, to have outdoor lunch etc, was not bad. Are folks just absolutely against going back to virtual for a few weeks or a month in an attempt to get Omicron to calm down?

A good point mentioned on AEM was that it seems like our priorities are messed up when the county makes schools go virtual knowing that it will have negative educational effects on some kids, especially poor kids, when the county does not also prevent spread in other areas of the county like bars and restaurants and sports arenas and movie theaters. I do not think that Arlington should have virtual school but at the same time let everything else in Arlington continue on the way it has been and allow spread in other areas of the population. I think masking indoors is even optional in many places now, right? That's bananas.

At the same time, the people who are calling for letting the virus spread and letting the chips fall where they may are imho totally irresponsible.

My preference for schools would be having all kids and teachers tested at least weekly and positive people being sent home. Restaurants and bars move to outdoors and take out only. Indoor theaters and arenas either close or restrict seating so that everyone is sitting really far away from each other, but masks stay on.

The discussion launched with a what 'logistical' challenges do we need to clear away so that we can switch to having kids just go to school a couple of hours a day. All responses are met with- lets try and clear that barrier away. It is ignoring the massive EDUCATIONAL failure that results from only going to school a couple hours a day. We all know better now- virtual school/ reduced school hours is a disaster.
It is terrifying to me that anyone is actually proposing this. Like primal fear terrifying.
My family has had Delta covid. It was basically a non issue except for the impact of quarantine. We are entirely vaxxed, boosted, and have natural immunity. The quarantines and the overreaction to covid are the problem- not the covid itself. Enough already. Kids need to be in school, full time full stop. Honestly, there are very few mitigation measures that make that much of a difference. Increase air flow, open windows- those are good ones. The rest of it- give it up. Move on.

[Anonymous]

What’s AEM?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s AEM?

Arlington Education Matters group on Facebook. You should go join right now. It's a good way to keep an eye on what the nuttiest people in Arlington are lobbying for. Also, there is occasionally some helpful information... but it's mostly a grab your popcorn situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friendly reminder here that everyone will get COVID and COVID is never going away. Thinking you can avoid it is like thinking you can avoid the son rising. You're not a morally bad person if you get it.

Vaccinated or not, everyone is likely to get COVID-19 at some point, many experts say
'The idea that we’re going to live our lives without ever getting it is a fantasy — and a dangerous one,' says one epidemiologist
https://www.ocregister.com/2021/10/03/vaccinated-or-not-everyone-is-likely-to-get-covid-19-at-some-point-many-experts-say/

I received dose number 3 in October. I know I could get Covid, but I’m not counting on catching it. I don’t know that I’ve ever had the flu. Do we say everyone will eventually catch the flu? I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a cold.

So close school so no one ever gets a cold again. Nope!

We've been doing all the wrong things since last summer. I have a cold today. No way in hell I'm getting tested for COVID because we have an awesome vacation planned over Xmas.

I don't understand. You sound like you aren't in favor of quarantines, so why would it matter if you tested positive for covid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s AEM?

group on facebook...Arlington Education Matters....where education apparently doesn't matter

[Anonymous]

I’m currently in the Middle East over winter break visiting my family and decided to check DCUM on a whim. Being here made me just realize how messed up and dsyfunctional the US is. Here they only shut down for a few weeks when the virus first started and then they shut down for 6 weeks when delta hit. Otherwise people are living their lives pretty normally. Majority of the population os vaccinated. Testing is widespread. People take rapid tests regularly - two or three times a week and PCR tests every few weeks or so. Tests are widely available. Anytime ppl meet up with friends or family they take a test. The government is very transparent. There is an app. Everyone knows how many new cases there are a day… rate of covid… how many are being treated in the hospital. There is a color system. Green means can go to places with no restrictions and be unmasked outdoors. Yellow (which was instituted today) means that you need to wear a mask in and outdoors (unless eating) and that you need to show your vaccine card (also in the app) to enter places. We went to a restaurant today and showed our card (literally took two seconds) and walked right in. People aren’t like the crazy shut everything down types. But they also are pro-mask and pro-vaccine. Government is all about testing, vaccinating and is generally on top of things. As a result cases aren’t ever that bad, covid is under control and ppl are living normal lives. The balance is right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread, the PG closure, and the crazy discussion on AEM right now, is why VA had a Republican sweep.

+ 1000

+1. I’m in my 40s and never voted R in my life and definitely did not vote for Youngkin. But after today’s AEM thread from who I think is a influential APS teacher and advocate, I’m glad the way the vote turned out.

[Anonymous]

I don’t really want schools to close but I’m certainly not “primal fear” terrified of it, either. Many Arlington parents seemed able to handle this. With the forbearance and understanding of my employer allowing me to work odd hours, I was able to manage though it wasn’t easy, and even grew closer to my kid. If anything had to go virtual, I think schools should stay open for poorer families without resources or work from home jobs — but this would never happen because it’s always the rich white ladies who complain the loudest about APS virtual. No sense of proportion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m currently in the Middle East over winter break visiting my family and decided to check DCUM on a whim. Being here made me just realize how messed up and dsyfunctional the US is. Here they only shut down for a few weeks when the virus first started and then they shut down for 6 weeks when delta hit. Otherwise people are living their lives pretty normally. Majority of the population os vaccinated. Testing is widespread. People take rapid tests regularly - two or three times a week and PCR tests every few weeks or so. Tests are widely available. Anytime ppl meet up with friends or family they take a test. The government is very transparent. There is an app. Everyone knows how many new cases there are a day… rate of covid… how many are being treated in the hospital. There is a color system. Green means can go to places with no restrictions and be unmasked outdoors. Yellow (which was instituted today) means that you need to wear a mask in and outdoors (unless eating) and that you need to show your vaccine card (also in the app) to enter places. We went to a restaurant today and showed our card (literally took two seconds) and walked right in. People aren’t like the crazy shut everything down types. But they also are pro-mask and pro-vaccine. Government is all about testing, vaccinating and is generally on top of things. As a result cases aren’t ever that bad, covid is under control and ppl are living normal lives. The balance is right.

Vaccine passports and mandates are throughout Europe, and cases are soaring. Virus is going to virus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t really want schools to close but I’m certainly not “primal fear” terrified of it, either. Many Arlington parents seemed able to handle this. With the forbearance and understanding of my employer allowing me to work odd hours, I was able to manage though it wasn’t easy, and even grew closer to my kid. If anything had to go virtual, I think schools should stay open for poorer families without resources or work from home jobs — but this would never happen because it’s always the rich white ladies who complain the loudest about APS virtual. No sense of proportion.

The closed school advocates always love them some closed schools. Thankfully there's a state law that prevents it, SB1303, so there's no chance in he** of it happening.

All, our incoming AG has threatened to sue any school district that's closed too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friendly reminder here that everyone will get COVID and COVID is never going away. Thinking you can avoid it is like thinking you can avoid the son rising. You're not a morally bad person if you get it.

Vaccinated or not, everyone is likely to get COVID-19 at some point, many experts say
'The idea that we’re going to live our lives without ever getting it is a fantasy — and a dangerous one,' says one epidemiologist
https://www.ocregister.com/2021/10/03/vaccinated-or-not-everyone-is-likely-to-get-covid-19-at-some-point-many-experts-say/

I received dose number 3 in October. I know I could get Covid, but I’m not counting on catching it. I don’t know that I’ve ever had the flu. Do we say everyone will eventually catch the flu? I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a cold.

So close school so no one ever gets a cold again. Nope!

We've been doing all the wrong things since last summer. I have a cold today. No way in hell I'm getting tested for COVID because we have an awesome vacation planned over Xmas.

Agreed. Testing is part of the problem. Trust the vax. Make it mandatory. The rest is theater. No more masks, no more quarantines. It's just silly. They don't have this problem in FL and TX. We're never going to return to normal at this rate. Time to move one everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friendly reminder here that everyone will get COVID and COVID is never going away. Thinking you can avoid it is like thinking you can avoid the son rising. You're not a morally bad person if you get it.

Vaccinated or not, everyone is likely to get COVID-19 at some point, many experts say
'The idea that we’re going to live our lives without ever getting it is a fantasy — and a dangerous one,' says one epidemiologist
https://www.ocregister.com/2021/10/03/vaccinated-or-not-everyone-is-likely-to-get-covid-19-at-some-point-many-experts-say/

I received dose number 3 in October. I know I could get Covid, but I’m not counting on catching it. I don’t know that I’ve ever had the flu. Do we say everyone will eventually catch the flu? I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a cold.

So close school so no one ever gets a cold again. Nope!

We've been doing all the wrong things since last summer. I have a cold today. No way in hell I'm getting tested for COVID because we have an awesome vacation planned over Xmas.

I don't understand. You sound like you aren't in favor of quarantines, so why would it matter if you tested positive for covid?

Stop testing asymptomatic kids, just like the NFL is doing. School is more important than asymptomatic cases.

COVID will be here forever, as will new variants. Are we going to lock out kids from school when they're not actually sick forever?!?