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Anonymous wrote:What about high school graduation? Whitman graduation is tomorrow at 9am at the school

A few hours won't kill you. It won't have any long term impact.

You'll be slightly uncomfortable for a few hours. That's it

This. Seriously. I hope they don't cancel high school graduation for this. People who are concerned can wear a mask. Or stay home and watch a live stream.

People who are graduating can't stay home and watch a live stream.

^^^Neither can faculty or staff who are participating in the graduation ceremony. I don't know what MCPS should do, but I do know that people who say the effects of PM2.5 is "slightly uncomfortable for a few hours" either don't know what they're talking about or are purposely minimizing the problem.

MCPS should encourage people who are concerned to wear a N95 mask and they should allow schools to hold their graduation ceremonies.

Yeah, but people who aren't concerned will also experience health effects.

MCPS is only responsible for so much of our lives.

True. For example, whether or not to hold an outdoor graduation when the air quality is dangerously bad.

Dramatic much?

It is not dangerously bad for most people. Most people will be fine if they hold graduation. And people who are concerned are welcome to wear masks to make it less dangerous for them.

It may not be acutely dangerously bad for most people, but PM2.5 is bad for everyone's health.

And, again, should MCPS hold a public event under conditions that are dangerous? If there were a thunderstorm, for example, would people say, "People who are concerned about lightning are welcome to stay at home and watch the live stream"? Your odds of getting hit by lightning are very low after all. Or even if it just rained, which isn't even dangerous. Is the outdoor graduation intended to happen rain or shine?

You are welcome to stay home if you think it is 'dangerous'.

A thunderstorm could actually be acutely bad for people. The current air quality situation is NOT.

Here is an example (but there are many more, just go through the literature) of how any event of elevated fine particular matter increases impose a risk on everyone, even if they don't perceive being affected in the moment: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230405214852.htm

This is kind of unprecedented in this area, but in most communities in the West where fires are more common, there are protocols and clear metrics to follow for cancelling activities.

This is it says on Airnow.gov about the red zone:

“People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:

Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
Keep outdoor activities short.
Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.
Everyone else – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:

Choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so you don’t breathe as hard.
Shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.
Be active outdoors when air quality is better.”

So cancelling outdoor recess and outdoor sports, where kids will be active, makes sense. Outdoor graduation where folks will not be active? That seems like a tougher call. For the majority, it will probably be fine. Masks are really great for filtering particulates. Now, if we were to push up into the purple or maroon zones, that seems like a clearer case for cancelling because the advice gets more restrictive.

Whitman already has a scheduled rain date for Friday morning, when the AQI should be much better. Seems like they should just move to that.

The MCPS email we received said all outdoor activities are canceled today and tomorrow. It was silent on graduation…

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Anonymous wrote:What about high school graduation? Whitman graduation is tomorrow at 9am at the school

A few hours won't kill you. It won't have any long term impact.

You'll be slightly uncomfortable for a few hours. That's it

This. Seriously. I hope they don't cancel high school graduation for this. People who are concerned can wear a mask. Or stay home and watch a live stream.

People who are graduating can't stay home and watch a live stream.

^^^Neither can faculty or staff who are participating in the graduation ceremony. I don't know what MCPS should do, but I do know that people who say the effects of PM2.5 is "slightly uncomfortable for a few hours" either don't know what they're talking about or are purposely minimizing the problem.

MCPS should encourage people who are concerned to wear a N95 mask and they should allow schools to hold their graduation ceremonies.

Yeah, but people who aren't concerned will also experience health effects.

MCPS is only responsible for so much of our lives.

True. For example, whether or not to hold an outdoor graduation when the air quality is dangerously bad.

Dramatic much?

It is not dangerously bad for most people. Most people will be fine if they hold graduation. And people who are concerned are welcome to wear masks to make it less dangerous for them.

It may not be acutely dangerously bad for most people, but PM2.5 is bad for everyone's health.

And, again, should MCPS hold a public event under conditions that are dangerous? If there were a thunderstorm, for example, would people say, "People who are concerned about lightning are welcome to stay at home and watch the live stream"? Your odds of getting hit by lightning are very low after all. Or even if it just rained, which isn't even dangerous. Is the outdoor graduation intended to happen rain or shine?

You are welcome to stay home if you think it is 'dangerous'.

A thunderstorm could actually be acutely bad for people. The current air quality situation is NOT.

Here is an example (but there are many more, just go through the literature) of how any event of elevated fine particular matter increases impose a risk on everyone, even if they don't perceive being affected in the moment: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230405214852.htm

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the chances of an 8th grade Six Flags trip happening on Friday?

No chance.

what are you basing this on? Actual knowledge or just spouting your mouth off?

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Anonymous wrote:What about high school graduation? Whitman graduation is tomorrow at 9am at the school

A few hours won't kill you. It won't have any long term impact.

You'll be slightly uncomfortable for a few hours. That's it

This. Seriously. I hope they don't cancel high school graduation for this. People who are concerned can wear a mask. Or stay home and watch a live stream.

People who are graduating can't stay home and watch a live stream.

^^^Neither can faculty or staff who are participating in the graduation ceremony. I don't know what MCPS should do, but I do know that people who say the effects of PM2.5 is "slightly uncomfortable for a few hours" either don't know what they're talking about or are purposely minimizing the problem.

MCPS should encourage people who are concerned to wear a N95 mask and they should allow schools to hold their graduation ceremonies.

Yeah, but people who aren't concerned will also experience health effects.

MCPS is only responsible for so much of our lives.

True. For example, whether or not to hold an outdoor graduation when the air quality is dangerously bad.

Dramatic much?

It is not dangerously bad for most people. Most people will be fine if they hold graduation. And people who are concerned are welcome to wear masks to make it less dangerous for them.

It may not be acutely dangerously bad for most people, but PM2.5 is bad for everyone's health.

And, again, should MCPS hold a public event under conditions that are dangerous? If there were a thunderstorm, for example, would people say, "People who are concerned about lightning are welcome to stay at home and watch the live stream"? Your odds of getting hit by lightning are very low after all. Or even if it just rained, which isn't even dangerous. Is the outdoor graduation intended to happen rain or shine?

You are welcome to stay home if you think it is 'dangerous'.

A thunderstorm could actually be acutely bad for people. The current air quality situation is NOT.

Rain wouldn't be acutely bad for anyone, and yet the Whitman graduation is not rain-or-shine.

Another consideration that is not acutely bad for people's health: the graduation photos will be funny-looking at minimum, or even apocalyptic-looking if the air quality gets as bad as in NYC right now.

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Anonymous wrote:What about high school graduation? Whitman graduation is tomorrow at 9am at the school

A few hours won't kill you. It won't have any long term impact.

You'll be slightly uncomfortable for a few hours. That's it

This. Seriously. I hope they don't cancel high school graduation for this. People who are concerned can wear a mask. Or stay home and watch a live stream.

People who are graduating can't stay home and watch a live stream.

^^^Neither can faculty or staff who are participating in the graduation ceremony. I don't know what MCPS should do, but I do know that people who say the effects of PM2.5 is "slightly uncomfortable for a few hours" either don't know what they're talking about or are purposely minimizing the problem.

MCPS should encourage people who are concerned to wear a N95 mask and they should allow schools to hold their graduation ceremonies.

Yeah, but people who aren't concerned will also experience health effects.

MCPS is only responsible for so much of our lives.

True. For example, whether or not to hold an outdoor graduation when the air quality is dangerously bad.

Dramatic much?

It is not dangerously bad for most people. Most people will be fine if they hold graduation. And people who are concerned are welcome to wear masks to make it less dangerous for them.

It may not be acutely dangerously bad for most people, but PM2.5 is bad for everyone's health.

And, again, should MCPS hold a public event under conditions that are dangerous? If there were a thunderstorm, for example, would people say, "People who are concerned about lightning are welcome to stay at home and watch the live stream"? Your odds of getting hit by lightning are very low after all. Or even if it just rained, which isn't even dangerous. Is the outdoor graduation intended to happen rain or shine?

You are welcome to stay home if you think it is 'dangerous'.

A thunderstorm could actually be acutely bad for people. The current air quality situation is NOT.

This is an irresponsible post. You either do not know what you are talking about or you are being malicious.

Some people may or may not be more "dramatic" about responding to the current cautionary conditions than you, and you can do what you want, but this empirically affectively affects everyone (including people who profess to not feel affected, and to different degrees) way more than, say, a Thunderstorm and its risks.

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Anonymous wrote:What about high school graduation? Whitman graduation is tomorrow at 9am at the school

A few hours won't kill you. It won't have any long term impact.

You'll be slightly uncomfortable for a few hours. That's it

This. Seriously. I hope they don't cancel high school graduation for this. People who are concerned can wear a mask. Or stay home and watch a live stream.

People who are graduating can't stay home and watch a live stream.

^^^Neither can faculty or staff who are participating in the graduation ceremony. I don't know what MCPS should do, but I do know that people who say the effects of PM2.5 is "slightly uncomfortable for a few hours" either don't know what they're talking about or are purposely minimizing the problem.

MCPS should encourage people who are concerned to wear a N95 mask and they should allow schools to hold their graduation ceremonies.

Yeah, but people who aren't concerned will also experience health effects.

MCPS is only responsible for so much of our lives.

True. For example, whether or not to hold an outdoor graduation when the air quality is dangerously bad.

Dramatic much?

It is not dangerously bad for most people. Most people will be fine if they hold graduation. And people who are concerned are welcome to wear masks to make it less dangerous for them.

It may not be acutely dangerously bad for most people, but PM2.5 is bad for everyone's health.

And, again, should MCPS hold a public event under conditions that are dangerous? If there were a thunderstorm, for example, would people say, "People who are concerned about lightning are welcome to stay at home and watch the live stream"? Your odds of getting hit by lightning are very low after all. Or even if it just rained, which isn't even dangerous. Is the outdoor graduation intended to happen rain or shine?

So is driving. Do you realize how many people die of car accidents in Montgomery County every year? Do we decide to cancel cars because they are 'bad for everyone's health'?

Back off lady.

Yes, we do, actually.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/visionzero/

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Anonymous wrote:What about high school graduation? Whitman graduation is tomorrow at 9am at the school

A few hours won't kill you. It won't have any long term impact.

You'll be slightly uncomfortable for a few hours. That's it

That's just plain wrong on the facts, especially if you have lung or heart/circulatory problems.

https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/extremely-high-levels-of-pm25/

But that's for levels beyond the AQI. We're not there. We're in red: "Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects."

That's not nearly enough to shut down graduation

Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects; but we should go ahead and hold graduation!

Of course we should.

But tbh, I'm not even a little surprised that people on this forum would be supportive of canceling HS graduation over this

Nuts. Absolutely nuts.

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Anonymous wrote:What about high school graduation? Whitman graduation is tomorrow at 9am at the school

A few hours won't kill you. It won't have any long term impact.

You'll be slightly uncomfortable for a few hours. That's it

This. Seriously. I hope they don't cancel high school graduation for this. People who are concerned can wear a mask. Or stay home and watch a live stream.

People who are graduating can't stay home and watch a live stream.

^^^Neither can faculty or staff who are participating in the graduation ceremony. I don't know what MCPS should do, but I do know that people who say the effects of PM2.5 is "slightly uncomfortable for a few hours" either don't know what they're talking about or are purposely minimizing the problem.

MCPS should encourage people who are concerned to wear a N95 mask and they should allow schools to hold their graduation ceremonies.

Yeah, but people who aren't concerned will also experience health effects.

MCPS is only responsible for so much of our lives.

True. For example, whether or not to hold an outdoor graduation when the air quality is dangerously bad.

Dramatic much?

It is not dangerously bad for most people. Most people will be fine if they hold graduation. And people who are concerned are welcome to wear masks to make it less dangerous for them.

It may not be acutely dangerously bad for most people, but PM2.5 is bad for everyone's health.

And, again, should MCPS hold a public event under conditions that are dangerous? If there were a thunderstorm, for example, would people say, "People who are concerned about lightning are welcome to stay at home and watch the live stream"? Your odds of getting hit by lightning are very low after all. Or even if it just rained, which isn't even dangerous. Is the outdoor graduation intended to happen rain or shine?

You are welcome to stay home if you think it is 'dangerous'.

A thunderstorm could actually be acutely bad for people. The current air quality situation is NOT.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:What about high school graduation? Whitman graduation is tomorrow at 9am at the school

A few hours won't kill you. It won't have any long term impact.

You'll be slightly uncomfortable for a few hours. That's it

This. Seriously. I hope they don't cancel high school graduation for this. People who are concerned can wear a mask. Or stay home and watch a live stream.

People who are graduating can't stay home and watch a live stream.

^^^Neither can faculty or staff who are participating in the graduation ceremony. I don't know what MCPS should do, but I do know that people who say the effects of PM2.5 is "slightly uncomfortable for a few hours" either don't know what they're talking about or are purposely minimizing the problem.

MCPS should encourage people who are concerned to wear a N95 mask and they should allow schools to hold their graduation ceremonies.

Yeah, but people who aren't concerned will also experience health effects.

MCPS is only responsible for so much of our lives.

True. For example, whether or not to hold an outdoor graduation when the air quality is dangerously bad.

Dramatic much?

It is not dangerously bad for most people. Most people will be fine if they hold graduation. And people who are concerned are welcome to wear masks to make it less dangerous for them.

It may not be acutely dangerously bad for most people, but PM2.5 is bad for everyone's health.

And, again, should MCPS hold a public event under conditions that are dangerous? If there were a thunderstorm, for example, would people say, "People who are concerned about lightning are welcome to stay at home and watch the live stream"? Your odds of getting hit by lightning are very low after all. Or even if it just rained, which isn't even dangerous. Is the outdoor graduation intended to happen rain or shine?

So is driving. Do you realize how many people die of car accidents in Montgomery County every year? Do we decide to cancel cars because they are 'bad for everyone's health'?

Back off lady.

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Anonymous wrote:What about high school graduation? Whitman graduation is tomorrow at 9am at the school

A few hours won't kill you. It won't have any long term impact.

You'll be slightly uncomfortable for a few hours. That's it

This. Seriously. I hope they don't cancel high school graduation for this. People who are concerned can wear a mask. Or stay home and watch a live stream.

People who are graduating can't stay home and watch a live stream.

^^^Neither can faculty or staff who are participating in the graduation ceremony. I don't know what MCPS should do, but I do know that people who say the effects of PM2.5 is "slightly uncomfortable for a few hours" either don't know what they're talking about or are purposely minimizing the problem.

MCPS should encourage people who are concerned to wear a N95 mask and they should allow schools to hold their graduation ceremonies.

Yeah, but people who aren't concerned will also experience health effects.

MCPS is only responsible for so much of our lives.

True. For example, whether or not to hold an outdoor graduation when the air quality is dangerously bad.

Dramatic much?

It is not dangerously bad for most people. Most people will be fine if they hold graduation. And people who are concerned are welcome to wear masks to make it less dangerous for them.

It may not be acutely dangerously bad for most people, but PM2.5 is bad for everyone's health.

And, again, should MCPS hold a public event under conditions that are dangerous? If there were a thunderstorm, for example, would people say, "People who are concerned about lightning are welcome to stay at home and watch the live stream"? Your odds of getting hit by lightning are very low after all. Or even if it just rained, which isn't even dangerous. Is the outdoor graduation intended to happen rain or shine?

Don’t go. It’s an invitation, not a summons.

On the one hand, graduation is so important that MCPS should not cancel it, even if it's dangerous (or merely dangerous for vulnerable people) to be outside. On the other hand, graduation is just another event that people should not feel any obligation to go to, or constraint about skipping.

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Anonymous wrote:What about high school graduation? Whitman graduation is tomorrow at 9am at the school

A few hours won't kill you. It won't have any long term impact.

You'll be slightly uncomfortable for a few hours. That's it

This. Seriously. I hope they don't cancel high school graduation for this. People who are concerned can wear a mask. Or stay home and watch a live stream.

People who are graduating can't stay home and watch a live stream.

They can wear their KN95 or N95 masks. If they cancel high school graduation, when do you think they'll reschedule it for? Unlikely it even happens or it will be a depressing virtual event. Let the kids have their graduation.

How great is it that people have N95 masks because we made individual people responsible for protecting themselves from a public health problem, which they can now use for a different issue where we're making individual people responsible for protecting themselves from a public health problem!

Um, the county was giving out N95 masks FOR FREE. Sorry you missed that. It would be good if they supplied them again for this.

This is not about who paid for the masks. This is about the type of response to a public health problem. "Everything as normal, but people who don't feel safe can choose not to attend, or to wear a mask" puts the responsibility on the individual.

Things were not “normal” for a long time, particularly in this area. MCPS did not let anyone in the schools for a year. And when they did open up to in person, they gave you, and continue to give you, the virtual option you demanded. Making everyone else continue in virtual to appease a few who couldn’t handle the choice would have been the epitome of selfish and stupid.

Who is "you" here? I'm the PP you're responding to, and I wanted MCPS to be in person in August 2020, with open windows/air purifiers, mandatory masks, and testing.

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Anonymous wrote:What about high school graduation? Whitman graduation is tomorrow at 9am at the school

A few hours won't kill you. It won't have any long term impact.

You'll be slightly uncomfortable for a few hours. That's it

This. Seriously. I hope they don't cancel high school graduation for this. People who are concerned can wear a mask. Or stay home and watch a live stream.

People who are graduating can't stay home and watch a live stream.

^^^Neither can faculty or staff who are participating in the graduation ceremony. I don't know what MCPS should do, but I do know that people who say the effects of PM2.5 is "slightly uncomfortable for a few hours" either don't know what they're talking about or are purposely minimizing the problem.

MCPS should encourage people who are concerned to wear a N95 mask and they should allow schools to hold their graduation ceremonies.

Yeah, but people who aren't concerned will also experience health effects.

MCPS is only responsible for so much of our lives.

True. For example, whether or not to hold an outdoor graduation when the air quality is dangerously bad.

Dramatic much?

It is not dangerously bad for most people. Most people will be fine if they hold graduation. And people who are concerned are welcome to wear masks to make it less dangerous for them.

It may not be acutely dangerously bad for most people, but PM2.5 is bad for everyone's health.

And, again, should MCPS hold a public event under conditions that are dangerous? If there were a thunderstorm, for example, would people say, "People who are concerned about lightning are welcome to stay at home and watch the live stream"? Your odds of getting hit by lightning are very low after all. Or even if it just rained, which isn't even dangerous. Is the outdoor graduation intended to happen rain or shine?

Don’t go. It’s an invitation, not a summons.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about high school graduation? Whitman graduation is tomorrow at 9am at the school

A few hours won't kill you. It won't have any long term impact.

You'll be slightly uncomfortable for a few hours. That's it

This. Seriously. I hope they don't cancel high school graduation for this. People who are concerned can wear a mask. Or stay home and watch a live stream.

People who are graduating can't stay home and watch a live stream.

They can wear their KN95 or N95 masks. If they cancel high school graduation, when do you think they'll reschedule it for? Unlikely it even happens or it will be a depressing virtual event. Let the kids have their graduation.

How great is it that people have N95 masks because we made individual people responsible for protecting themselves from a public health problem, which they can now use for a different issue where we're making individual people responsible for protecting themselves from a public health problem!

Um, the county was giving out N95 masks FOR FREE. Sorry you missed that. It would be good if they supplied them again for this.

This is not about who paid for the masks. This is about the type of response to a public health problem. "Everything as normal, but people who don't feel safe can choose not to attend, or to wear a mask" puts the responsibility on the individual.

Things were not “normal” for a long time, particularly in this area. MCPS did not let anyone in the schools for a year. And when they did open up to in person, they gave you, and continue to give you, the virtual option you demanded. Making everyone else continue in virtual to appease a few who couldn’t handle the choice would have been the epitome of selfish and stupid.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about high school graduation? Whitman graduation is tomorrow at 9am at the school

A few hours won't kill you. It won't have any long term impact.

You'll be slightly uncomfortable for a few hours. That's it

This. Seriously. I hope they don't cancel high school graduation for this. People who are concerned can wear a mask. Or stay home and watch a live stream.

People who are graduating can't stay home and watch a live stream.

^^^Neither can faculty or staff who are participating in the graduation ceremony. I don't know what MCPS should do, but I do know that people who say the effects of PM2.5 is "slightly uncomfortable for a few hours" either don't know what they're talking about or are purposely minimizing the problem.

MCPS should encourage people who are concerned to wear a N95 mask and they should allow schools to hold their graduation ceremonies.

Yeah, but people who aren't concerned will also experience health effects.

MCPS is only responsible for so much of our lives.

True. For example, whether or not to hold an outdoor graduation when the air quality is dangerously bad.

Dramatic much?

It is not dangerously bad for most people. Most people will be fine if they hold graduation. And people who are concerned are welcome to wear masks to make it less dangerous for them.

It may not be acutely dangerously bad for most people, but PM2.5 is bad for everyone's health.

And, again, should MCPS hold a public event under conditions that are dangerous? If there were a thunderstorm, for example, would people say, "People who are concerned about lightning are welcome to stay at home and watch the live stream"? Your odds of getting hit by lightning are very low after all. Or even if it just rained, which isn't even dangerous. Is the outdoor graduation intended to happen rain or shine?