Wait… if the consequence for not doing this is to be tested on Wednesday morning… why can’t we just all rest Monday morning and go to school?

Anonymous wrote:Liked "on the bright side, omicron looks like it might lead to the end of the pandemic."

Plus one

Liked "on the bright side, omicron looks like it might lead to the end of the pandemic."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it easier to just go virtual for two weeks. How much teaching will happen if half the class is missing. And some teachers will be missing.

Easier for who?

Covid doesn’t care about your routine.
Next week will be a complete mess at schools.
Kids did not learn a damn thing the week before Christmas and they probably won’t learn a damn thing next week either.

I was supportive of schools’ being all remote last year, but I disagree with you here. We have tools and knowledge now that we didn’t have then, and we should use them to try to keep schools open. I am under no illusion that it will be smooth—nor am I a Bowser/Ferebee fan—but I am glad that they are trying. DCPS is being much more thoughtful about this than surrounding school systems, which are just opening and hoping for the best.

Well I am a Mayor Bowser fan and Ferebee is ok — and I hope schools stay open. My MS & HS students prefer in-person learning. But I’m also not delusional and think that there are going to be issues with teachers and students testing positive. The high number of positives will lead to forced remote/asynchronous learning days.

But on the bright side, omicron looks like it might lead to the end of the pandemic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it easier to just go virtual for two weeks. How much teaching will happen if half the class is missing. And some teachers will be missing.

Easier for who?

Covid doesn’t care about your routine.
Next week will be a complete mess at schools.
Kids did not learn a damn thing the week before Christmas and they probably won’t learn a damn thing next week either.

It was not like that at every single school in DC. My child’s elementary school was fine and the kids enjoyed their last days before the break. It honestly didn’t feel any different for us. That is why a system wide closure is not appropriate. Some schools probably do need a reset and it sounds like that will likely happen if enough staff tests positive. I think going forward parents should say what particular school they are talking about instead of using such broad strokes.

Also there is more to school than education. My kids, for example, just wanted to be around their friends. The mental health toll of last year is still very much present.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it easier to just go virtual for two weeks. How much teaching will happen if half the class is missing. And some teachers will be missing.

Easier for who?

Covid doesn’t care about your routine.
Next week will be a complete mess at schools.
Kids did not learn a damn thing the week before Christmas and they probably won’t learn a damn thing next week either.

It was not like that at every single school in DC. My child’s elementary school was fine and the kids enjoyed their last days before the break. It honestly didn’t feel any different for us. That is why a system wide closure is not appropriate. Some schools probably do need a reset and it sounds like that will likely happen if enough staff tests positive. I think going forward parents should say what particular school they are talking about instead of using such broad strokes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it easier to just go virtual for two weeks. How much teaching will happen if half the class is missing. And some teachers will be missing.

Easier for who?

Covid doesn’t care about your routine.
Next week will be a complete mess at schools.
Kids did not learn a damn thing the week before Christmas and they probably won’t learn a damn thing next week either.

I was supportive of schools’ being all remote last year, but I disagree with you here. We have tools and knowledge now that we didn’t have then, and we should use them to try to keep schools open. I am under no illusion that it will be smooth—nor am I a Bowser/Ferebee fan—but I am glad that they are trying. DCPS is being much more thoughtful about this than surrounding school systems, which are just opening and hoping for the best.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it easier to just go virtual for two weeks. How much teaching will happen if half the class is missing. And some teachers will be missing.

Easier for who?

Covid doesn’t care about your routine.
Next week will be a complete mess at schools.
Kids did not learn a damn thing the week before Christmas and they probably won’t learn a damn thing next week either.

NP. Covid isn't in charge of our chosen response to it. We have no evidence that closing schools will alleviate the ONLY *potential* problem - overwhelmed hospitals. We have a lot of evidence that closing schools causes a multitude of other harms to children and families.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it easier to just go virtual for two weeks. How much teaching will happen if half the class is missing. And some teachers will be missing.

Easier for who?

Covid doesn’t care about your routine.
Next week will be a complete mess at schools.
Kids did not learn a damn thing the week before Christmas and they probably won’t learn a damn thing next week either.

I was supportive of schools’ being all remote last year, but I disagree with you here. We have tools and knowledge now that we didn’t have then, and we should use them to try to keep schools open. I am under no illusion that it will be smooth—nor am I a Bowser/Ferebee fan—but I am glad that they are trying. DCPS is being much more thoughtful about this than surrounding school systems, which are just opening and hoping for the best.

One of the (few) things DC has done well is have a very clear website that has all the information about tests, rapid/antigen, PCR, turn around time, library pick up, logistics, etc.

All the information you need is here and clearly laid out.

https://coronavirus.dc.gov
https://coronavirus.dc.gov/testyourself
https://coronavirus.dc.gov/rapidantigen

DC has been handing out PCR tests with drop off at the libraries for months and months. Free. Before the Omicron rush you could take up to 5 every day.

Now reading through these past 4 pages it seems to me that one of the things that DC isn't doing well is making sure that people are aware of this information or the website.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it easier to just go virtual for two weeks. How much teaching will happen if half the class is missing. And some teachers will be missing.

Easier for who?

Covid doesn’t care about your routine.
Next week will be a complete mess at schools.
Kids did not learn a damn thing the week before Christmas and they probably won’t learn a damn thing next week either.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So are there two kinds of tests available at libraries?

Would be helpful if someone who has actually gone through the library pick up rest could answer.

No, there is only one kind of test. At the Petworth Library, the line was very long but orderly and moving along. Everyone received two boxes containing four at-home tests.

This is not accurate. Libraries are distributing DC’s test yourself PCR test (which you drop off in the drop box with results in 3-5 days) and rapid tests.

Not every library has rapid tests, and not every library is distributing them in the same way. West End had you come inside to get the antigen tests.

This. Only 8 libraries have rapid. One in each ward. They all will distribute different ways. Some (or all) of those exact 8 libraries also have PCR kits where you test yourself and put in the outside box.

It’s not the hard. The website is very detailed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So are there two kinds of tests available at libraries?

Would be helpful if someone who has actually gone through the library pick up rest could answer.

No, there is only one kind of test. At the Petworth Library, the line was very long but orderly and moving along. Everyone received two boxes containing four at-home tests.

This is not accurate. Libraries are distributing DC’s test yourself PCR test (which you drop off in the drop box with results in 3-5 days) and rapid tests.

Not every library has rapid tests, and not every library is distributing them in the same way. West End had you come inside to get the antigen tests.

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it easier to just go virtual for two weeks. How much teaching will happen if half the class is missing. And some teachers will be missing.

Easier for who?

Anonymous wrote:Many of the libraries only have PCR tests. I went to tenleytown yesterday to get some and they were out.

I’ve been using those pcr tests all fall.

There’s a website that shows availability of stock (allegedly).