In-person school plans

[Anonymous]

I love the assumption that all MCPS teachers are young and healthy people who will only get vaccinated if it’s through their job. I know so many teachers who are high risk. Plus Biden is opening it up to everyone anyway.

[Anonymous]

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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.

Um, I have news for you LOL. They State is already working on new guidelines for return to school which will including relaxing metrics, and these guidelines will certainly incorporate the fact that teachers will be vaccinated and risk becomes much lower for infection. Actually case numbers should not even be considered once teachers are vaccinated. Experts have already said that the metrics that some school systems are using should not be "on and off switches for openings and closures." They should only be points of interest. https://globalepidemics.org/2020/12/18/schools-and-the-path-to-zero-strategies-for-pandemic-resilience-in-the-face-of-high-community-spread/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love the assumption that all MCPS teachers are young and healthy people who will only get vaccinated if it’s through their job. I know so many teachers who are high risk. Plus Biden is opening it up to everyone anyway.

We will see what Biden does when he gets in office. Right now, vaccines are distributed to states and in Maryland, the county gives out the shots. The science shows that not getting a second shot on time could allow the virus to mutate to the point that the vaccine is useless. For the Moderna vaccine, the second shot needs to be given between 24 to 28 days. Currently, Montgomery County has been giving out the Moderna vaccine.

Other states have converted sites for 24/7 vaccinations and converting stadiums to be mega vaccination sites so more people can get their first site. Montgomery County needs to come up with plans to vaccinate on a larger scale. However, for the vaccine to be effective in stamping out COVID, there needs to be coordination so people can get their second shot on time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love the assumption that all MCPS teachers are young and healthy people who will only get vaccinated if it’s through their job. I know so many teachers who are high risk. Plus Biden is opening it up to everyone anyway.

We will see what Biden does when he gets in office. Right now, vaccines are distributed to states and in Maryland, the county gives out the shots. The science shows that not getting a second shot on time could allow the virus to mutate to the point that the vaccine is useless. For the Moderna vaccine, the second shot needs to be given between 24 to 28 days. Currently, Montgomery County has been giving out the Moderna vaccine.

Other states have converted sites for 24/7 vaccinations and converting stadiums to be mega vaccination sites so more people can get their first site. Montgomery County needs to come up with plans to vaccinate on a larger scale. However, for the vaccine to be effective in stamping out COVID, there needs to be coordination so people can get their second shot on time.

What science? Please don't spread misinformation - and if you think it's actually true then provide your sources. My DH is in this field and has heard nothing of the sort.

[Anonymous]

Despite the virus surging out of control, I need my daycare. The BoE must reopen schools regardless of the cost. Sure schools will likely only be open for any given kid 1 day pre week but at least we’ll have the free daycare we’re owed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Despite the virus surging out of control, I need my daycare. The BoE must reopen schools regardless of the cost. Sure schools will likely only be open for any given kid 1 day pre week but at least we’ll have the free daycare we’re owed.

Here we go again: DCUM gonna DCUM

[Anonymous]

I happily just dropped off my kid at private school today after a long winter break and one week of virtual school (post New Years). She is so so so happy to go back to school. Virtual is not good..even though she is in a class with only 10 strong and motivated students and engaged teachers. She wants to be with her friends and learn with a teacher in the room with her. I am grateful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I happily just dropped off my kid at private school today after a long winter break and one week of virtual school (post New Years). She is so so so happy to go back to school. Virtual is not good..even though she is in a class with only 10 strong and motivated students and engaged teachers. She wants to be with her friends and learn with a teacher in the room with her. I am grateful.

What are you looking for, PP? Approval?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I happily just dropped off my kid at private school today after a long winter break and one week of virtual school (post New Years). She is so so so happy to go back to school. Virtual is not good..even though she is in a class with only 10 strong and motivated students and engaged teachers. She wants to be with her friends and learn with a teacher in the room with her. I am grateful.

PP, just FYI - you posted on the wrong forum. This is the correct forum: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/forums/show/31.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Despite the virus surging out of control, I need my daycare. The BoE must reopen schools regardless of the cost. Sure schools will likely only be open for any given kid 1 day pre week but at least we’ll have the free daycare we’re owed.

Can't you please find a new hobby? Everyone would be happier, including you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Despite the virus surging out of control, I need my daycare. The BoE must reopen schools regardless of the cost. Sure schools will likely only be open for any given kid 1 day pre week but at least we’ll have the free daycare we’re owed.

You're insulting teachers SO MUCH by posting this. It's not sending the message you think it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love the assumption that all MCPS teachers are young and healthy people who will only get vaccinated if it’s through their job. I know so many teachers who are high risk. Plus Biden is opening it up to everyone anyway.

We will see what Biden does when he gets in office. Right now, vaccines are distributed to states and in Maryland, the county gives out the shots. The science shows that not getting a second shot on time could allow the virus to mutate to the point that the vaccine is useless. For the Moderna vaccine, the second shot needs to be given between 24 to 28 days. Currently, Montgomery County has been giving out the Moderna vaccine.

Other states have converted sites for 24/7 vaccinations and converting stadiums to be mega vaccination sites so more people can get their first site. Montgomery County needs to come up with plans to vaccinate on a larger scale. However, for the vaccine to be effective in stamping out COVID, there needs to be coordination so people can get their second shot on time.

Where does the science say that? My doctor said that the second shot is a booster and will extend the shot's effectiveness over more time, but that the benefit of the second shot is marginal compared with the benefit of getting the initial shot out to more people.

[Anonymous]

I suspect that they will be moving to group 1B very shortly. I am at the tail end of group 1A and getting the vaccine this week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Despite the virus surging out of control, I need my daycare. The BoE must reopen schools regardless of the cost. Sure schools will likely only be open for any given kid 1 day pre week but at least we’ll have the free daycare we’re owed.

You're insulting teachers SO MUCH by posting this. It's not sending the message you think it is.

+1 Could not agree more. Some teachers and parents think they are defending teachers by posting this nonsense, but it is having the opposite effect. I spent a good deal of time this weekend reading social media and other posts by teachers to understand their perspectives and concerns about DL. So many teachers are saying on social media that school is not childcare. It is insulting to parents and gives the impression that they care nothing about building relationships with their students. You think in person education is nothing more than childcare? Fine, families will seek alternative options, whether it is private school, pods, or homeschooling where their children are not an inconvenient impediment to the delivery of soulless "education" that does not involve building personal relationships.

Public education is essential for our democracy and large scale departures from public education harm us all. If in-person education is viewed as nothing more than free childcare, including for middle and high school students who don't need childcare, that speaks volumes about education and educators in this country. This is a trap. The only way to escape this mess is for all of us to recognize our interconnectedness and act accordingly. Selfish dismissal of the concerns of those struggling, whether they are teachers, parents, or students, does nothing to promote understanding, awareness, or productive solutions. Please stop.

[Anonymous]

I wish MCPS would make a statement on teacher vaccines and potential openings. I'm hearing rumblings that teachers are going to start being eligible soon.