There are no good choices when it comes to opening schools in the fall.
I'm still hoping for something better
TOTAL U.S. CASES3,630,58774,710 New Cases*TOTAL DEATHS138,782918 New Deaths*
TO BE SURE, THERE ARE DECENT PEOPLE, MAINLY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, TRYING TO COME UP WITH HUMANE PLANS FOR THE FALL—PLANS THAT KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE, TEACH THEM, AND DON’T KILL THOUSANDS OF TEACHERS WHILE DOING SO. THE PROBLEM IS, A NATIONAL CRISIS HAS A WAY OF EXACERBATING EVERYTHING THAT IS WEAK WITH THE UNDERLYING SOCIETY, AND OUR CHILD CARE AND SCHOOL SYSTEMS WERE HOBBLED AND BROKEN WELL BEFORE COVID-19 REARED ITS VIRAL HEAD. -- ELIE MYSTAL IN THE NATION
The current national and local debates about a "safe" opening of school buildings in the midst of the worst, deadliest pandemic in a century is perplexing, often bordering on the absurd.
Here's the conundrum: There are no safe havens from COVID-19 any place where groups gather indoors without adequate spacing, ventilation, and protection. And there's no authentic learning that can take place without, physical and social interaction, especially in early childhood grades.
On the local level, as summer draws to a close, the school-opening issue is becoming charged with emotion, frustration, and angry contention between school boards and teacher unions. Teachers have always taken the necessary risks involved when it comes to supporting and CONTINUE READING: Mike Klonsky's Blog: There are no good choices when it comes to opening schools in the fall. I'm still hoping for something better.
Here's the conundrum: There are no safe havens from COVID-19 any place where groups gather indoors without adequate spacing, ventilation, and protection. And there's no authentic learning that can take place without, physical and social interaction, especially in early childhood grades.
On the local level, as summer draws to a close, the school-opening issue is becoming charged with emotion, frustration, and angry contention between school boards and teacher unions. Teachers have always taken the necessary risks involved when it comes to supporting and CONTINUE READING: Mike Klonsky's Blog: There are no good choices when it comes to opening schools in the fall. I'm still hoping for something better.