Anonymous wrote:I have really tried to listen and understand both sides. I think the place I get hung up is with the multi-generational households. We know that the majority of deaths are occurring in the elderly populations. So what do we do for families who live with elderly people and have young children in the home? It's just not as simple as saying that at-risk people should isolate.

What's crazy is that some people argue that since nursing homes are such high-risk environments, a consequence of this crisis might be that people choose to care for their elderly relatives at home. But multigenerational households were exactly why the virus killed so many people in Italy, and if multigenerational households also mean that schools can't open because that would put the elderly at risk, then what? That doesn't seem like a solution that's fair to kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Maybe not publically as an individaul because it is a hugely unpopular idea with anyone that isn't a teacher, but the teachers' unions certainly

Where and when have the teachers' unions been clamoring to keep the schools closed in the fall?

I believe the DC teachers union has said as much. No return to the classroom until there is a vaccine. Nuts.

That will be years away. I guess it's going to be charter schools from here on out for DC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Maybe not publically as an individaul because it is a hugely unpopular idea with anyone that isn't a teacher, but the teachers' unions certainly

Where and when have the teachers' unions been clamoring to keep the schools closed in the fall?

I believe the DC teachers union has said as much. No return to the classroom until there is a vaccine. Nuts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JFC, we are all at risk. We will take precautions. We must recognize there are public health consequences to COVID that are serious but there are also public health consequences of long term closures of schools. There is not one easy answer.

But teachers get paid in full whether schools return or not. Why would they want to go back and assume any risk at all when they can stay home, get paid, do less work, and not have to interact with your bratty kids AT ALL! Win

exactly. in phase 1 they will take their kids to play tennis. in phase 2 take them swimming and run and jump back in the car to avoid the locker rooms!. They will go to the stores and buy ALL the toilet paper from the amazing grocery store workers. They will make an appointment to get a haircut- maybe even a cute root touch up. they may even drop in target and purchase a few exercises clothes to attend zoom yoga. They will even bring their child in this summer to doctor to get a scratched checked out (I work in medicine in various facilities and in covid + rooms, Im not exaggerating on the "urgent appointments" coming in).

But PLEASE DONT ASK TEACHERS TO RETURN UNTIL THERE IS VACCINE. That would be ridiculous!

Are teachers as concerned about grocery store clerks? What about healthcare workers? Delivery men and women?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online schooling during the fall semester is the responsible thing to do.

+1, and until there’s a vaccine with a proven track record

Even with a vaccine it will be years before a population is fully immunized. Moreover, COVID is here to stay; like the flu, it's not going away.

Are you proposing closing schools for years?

Washington Post article today: COVID 19 will last years even with a vaccine.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/27/coronavirus-endemic/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So, basically you are implying that we should do nothing and schools should be back to normal because children are not being affected. Are you okay with that if the same happens in your workplace? Are not schools a public space which should follow those same requirements? Which requirements do you propose to minimize risks? I understand that online school is a mediocre substitute, especially for elementary students, but there should be reasonable, science- based requirements in place for everybody´s safety.

I don't think that "minimize risk" should be the standard. Reduce risk. Manage risk. The societal costs of keeping schools closed are very high, and the societal benefits of opening school are also very high.

Then, which requirements do you propose, if any, to reduce or manage risks?

The same ones that schools all over the world are using, as applicable.

It is incorrect to say that schools are now opening all over the world. Schools are just barely starting to open in a few places.

In a few places, all over the world. And that's now, too. Not 3 months from now.

Some countries managed to handle the outbreak better than ours.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So, basically you are implying that we should do nothing and schools should be back to normal because children are not being affected. Are you okay with that if the same happens in your workplace? Are not schools a public space which should follow those same requirements? Which requirements do you propose to minimize risks? I understand that online school is a mediocre substitute, especially for elementary students, but there should be reasonable, science- based requirements in place for everybody´s safety.

I don't think that "minimize risk" should be the standard. Reduce risk. Manage risk. The societal costs of keeping schools closed are very high, and the societal benefits of opening school are also very high.

Then, which requirements do you propose, if any, to reduce or manage risks?

The same ones that schools all over the world are using, as applicable.

It is incorrect to say that schools are now opening all over the world. Schools are just barely starting to open in a few places.

In a few places, all over the world. And that's now, too. Not 3 months from now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So, basically you are implying that we should do nothing and schools should be back to normal because children are not being affected. Are you okay with that if the same happens in your workplace? Are not schools a public space which should follow those same requirements? Which requirements do you propose to minimize risks? I understand that online school is a mediocre substitute, especially for elementary students, but there should be reasonable, science- based requirements in place for everybody´s safety.

I don't think that "minimize risk" should be the standard. Reduce risk. Manage risk. The societal costs of keeping schools closed are very high, and the societal benefits of opening school are also very high.

Then, which requirements do you propose, if any, to reduce or manage risks?

The same ones that schools all over the world are using, as applicable.

It is incorrect to say that schools are now opening all over the world. Schools are just barely starting to open in a few places.

Sweeden never closed its schools. Very low mortality rate in children.

Anonymous wrote:

Maybe not publically as an individaul because it is a hugely unpopular idea with anyone that isn't a teacher, but the teachers' unions certainly

Where and when have the teachers' unions been clamoring to keep the schools closed in the fall?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So, basically you are implying that we should do nothing and schools should be back to normal because children are not being affected. Are you okay with that if the same happens in your workplace? Are not schools a public space which should follow those same requirements? Which requirements do you propose to minimize risks? I understand that online school is a mediocre substitute, especially for elementary students, but there should be reasonable, science- based requirements in place for everybody´s safety.

I don't think that "minimize risk" should be the standard. Reduce risk. Manage risk. The societal costs of keeping schools closed are very high, and the societal benefits of opening school are also very high.

Then, which requirements do you propose, if any, to reduce or manage risks?

The same ones that schools all over the world are using, as applicable.

+1
If you don’t want to teach, don’t.

I don't understand why you think it's the *teachers* clamoring to keep the schools closed in the fall.

Maybe not publically as an individaul because it is a hugely unpopular idea with anyone that isn't a teacher, but the teachers' unions certainly

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So, basically you are implying that we should do nothing and schools should be back to normal because children are not being affected. Are you okay with that if the same happens in your workplace? Are not schools a public space which should follow those same requirements? Which requirements do you propose to minimize risks? I understand that online school is a mediocre substitute, especially for elementary students, but there should be reasonable, science- based requirements in place for everybody´s safety.

I don't think that "minimize risk" should be the standard. Reduce risk. Manage risk. The societal costs of keeping schools closed are very high, and the societal benefits of opening school are also very high.

Then, which requirements do you propose, if any, to reduce or manage risks?

The same ones that schools all over the world are using, as applicable.

It is incorrect to say that schools are now opening all over the world. Schools are just barely starting to open in a few places.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So, basically you are implying that we should do nothing and schools should be back to normal because children are not being affected. Are you okay with that if the same happens in your workplace? Are not schools a public space which should follow those same requirements? Which requirements do you propose to minimize risks? I understand that online school is a mediocre substitute, especially for elementary students, but there should be reasonable, science- based requirements in place for everybody´s safety.

I don't think that "minimize risk" should be the standard. Reduce risk. Manage risk. The societal costs of keeping schools closed are very high, and the societal benefits of opening school are also very high.

Then, which requirements do you propose, if any, to reduce or manage risks?

The same ones that schools all over the world are using, as applicable.

+1
If you don’t want to teach, don’t.

I don't understand why you think it's the *teachers* clamoring to keep the schools closed in the fall.

I’m sure it’s not the case overall but there are definitely some very vocal ones on here complaining about how no one values their lives etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So, basically you are implying that we should do nothing and schools should be back to normal because children are not being affected. Are you okay with that if the same happens in your workplace? Are not schools a public space which should follow those same requirements? Which requirements do you propose to minimize risks? I understand that online school is a mediocre substitute, especially for elementary students, but there should be reasonable, science- based requirements in place for everybody´s safety.

I don't think that "minimize risk" should be the standard. Reduce risk. Manage risk. The societal costs of keeping schools closed are very high, and the societal benefits of opening school are also very high.

Then, which requirements do you propose, if any, to reduce or manage risks?

The same ones that schools all over the world are using, as applicable.

+1
If you don’t want to teach, don’t.

I don't understand why you think it's the *teachers* clamoring to keep the schools closed in the fall.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS seems to subtly testing who in school-based staff is willing to return before a vaccine. Last week, DH and I got emails stating that we could sign up for slots to come pack our classrooms. We were promised PPE. If we declined, MCPS would have everything packed for us. DH declined. I signed up for a slot. I have second thoughts several times a day. Then today, there was a survey asking who was willing to teach some form of summer school. I declined.

Why? What are you busy doing? Both of you busy doing?

Busy?

Way to make the point you’re trying to argue against.

I don’t understand your question. Do you think my DH doesn’t want to pack up his classroom and I don’t want to teach summer school because we are busy?

Well, we are busy but that’s not the primary reason. DH has serious health issues. He’s probably not going back if schools reopen 8/31.

Meanwhile, he’s trying to teach as much as he can to his juniors before classes end for the year. If you are going to pack you room, you have to do it during a specific slot that coincides with classes so teachers are expected to cancel their classes so they can pack. So he’s busy with his students, but he’s also been told by his doctor to stay out of the building.

My school was more liberal with slots so I don’t have to cancel my classes to pack. I’m also tentatively planning to return so I want to know exactly what is packed where. I’m nervous about bringing something home to DH though. I don’t want to teach summer school mainly because of that same concern. He’s immunocompromised. However, I will be busy as well. I have to recertify with the state next year and I need to take 6 grad credits this summer. In addition, MCPS is rolling out a new LMS called synergy that I will have to learn well enough to support my mentees with it. I think it’ll also be a lot of time moving materials from Google Classroom since that platform will be eliminated. But also, I don’t get a full curriculum for one of my courses, so I’ll spend the summer rewriting 180 lessons so they can be done via DL if needed.

However, if I didn’t want to teach summer school simply because I didn’t want to teach summer school that would be good enough. Let someone who would need the extra money more have the opportunity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So, basically you are implying that we should do nothing and schools should be back to normal because children are not being affected. Are you okay with that if the same happens in your workplace? Are not schools a public space which should follow those same requirements? Which requirements do you propose to minimize risks? I understand that online school is a mediocre substitute, especially for elementary students, but there should be reasonable, science- based requirements in place for everybody´s safety.

I don't think that "minimize risk" should be the standard. Reduce risk. Manage risk. The societal costs of keeping schools closed are very high, and the societal benefits of opening school are also very high.

Then, which requirements do you propose, if any, to reduce or manage risks?

The same ones that schools all over the world are using, as applicable.

+1
If you don’t want to teach, don’t.