Here is why we should close schools now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While it is true that children can be asymptomatic carriers, they also seem to get the virus at much lower rates... that's one thing people are missing in their math. So having them spend the vast majority of their day with mostly other kids will decrease spread and help isolate kids from the elderly. It's one thing if we shut down Italy-style, but if parents continue to work, shutting schools may actually be counterproductive.

This is a very interesting thought. We know everyone was on New Year's holidays in Wuhan when things started.... Didn't help much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While it is true that children can be asymptomatic carriers, they also seem to get the virus at much lower rates... that's one thing people are missing in their math. So having them spend the vast majority of their day with mostly other kids will decrease spread and help isolate kids from the elderly. It's one thing if we shut down Italy-style, but if parents continue to work, shutting schools may actually be counterproductive.

I read not too long ago that researchers changed their conclusion about this and now think children are just as likely to catch it as adults, but because they are asymptomatic or only show mild symptoms they don’t get diagnosed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While it is true that children can be asymptomatic carriers, they also seem to get the virus at much lower rates... that's one thing people are missing in their math. So having them spend the vast majority of their day with mostly other kids will decrease spread and help isolate kids from the elderly. It's one thing if we shut down Italy-style, but if parents continue to work, shutting schools may actually be counterproductive.

I read not too long ago that researchers changed their conclusion about this and now think children are just as likely to catch it as adults, but because they are asymptomatic or only show mild symptoms they don’t get diagnosed.

Here I found it: https://www.livescience.com/can-kids-get-coronavirus.html
Summary: kids catch coronavirus at same rate as adults

[Anonymous]

FCPS closed on Friday:
https://www.fcps.edu

Dear FCPS Families and Staff,

During the past several hours we continue to hear genuine concerns from parents about keeping our schools open while the coronavirus response escalates around the country. Schools are closing in Maryland, and several other states, and a state of emergency was declared in Virginia. As a result, and in an abundance of caution, I believe it is prudent for FCPS to cancel school tomorrow to help ease parent, staff, and student anxiety.

Therefore, all FCPS schools will be closed Friday, March 13, 2020.

School offices and central offices will open on time with an unscheduled leave policy in effect for 12-month employees. (Condition 2). The following activities in schools and on school grounds are canceled:

extracurricular activities
interscholastic contests
team practices
field trips
middle school after-school programs
professional learning and training courses
adult and community education classes
recreation programs and community use by outside groups not affiliated with FCPS
School age child care (SACC) centers are closed.

Monday, March 16, will remain a student holiday/staff development day to allow our classroom teachers to prepare for the possibility of distance learning.

This remains a very fast moving narrative, and the situation Monday is likely to be very different than today. We will determine Monday how we will proceed long term with FCPS operations.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.



Sincerely,

Scott Brabrand, Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Six weeks school closure where I am in WA state just announced.

Six weeks? If that becomes the new reality in this area, gosh...

Yes, we are completely closed, elementary through high school, until April 24th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Six weeks school closure where I am in WA state just announced.

Six weeks? If that becomes the new reality in this area, gosh...

Yes, we are completely closed, elementary through high school, until April 24th.

This is definitely the new reality. My friends in Asia are chuckling at the 2-week announcement for us. Their kids have been out of school since late Jan and are still out. Settle in, folks!

[Anonymous]

APS and FCCCPS schools closing Mon next week:

Dear APS Families and Staff:

In response to growing concerns and anxiety in our community about the coronavirus (COVID-19), Arlington Public Schools and Falls Church City Public Schools have aligned, and in close collaboration with other Northern Virginia school divisions, will close beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. The present plans are to remain closed through Spring Break, with students scheduled to return on Tue, April 14, 2020. We will continue to evaluate and monitor the situation on a daily basis and will provide an update on our plans as new information is available.

Given all the information available now, including other closures throughout the National Capital Region that impact our staff and families, we believe this is the best decision to make at this time.

All of us, school administrators, staff, and parents, want the same outcome--keeping our kids and community safe.

Each of our divisions will send additional logistical details of the closure to our staff and families later today. Thank you for your continued understanding and patience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without an endgame plan, why close them? What is the plan to reopen? They close them, they’re out the rest of the school year.
At this point it would do more to restrict airline and train travel domestically.

We BUY TIME.. keep everybody safe while. figure it all out.

And get some actual tests!!

Still waiting for those. A month later. 45’s squad effed this up bigly.