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* I’m told the governor’s office has been inundated with this formulaic email, mainly from suburban moms…
I am writing you as a resident of IL with 17 year old twins who are heading into their senior year of HS in one of the large Northwest suburban high schools [Redacted].
I have carefully read the Illinois Department of Public Health Phase 4 rules that were released yesterday. Gov Pritzker indicated that children can return to school this fall.
Sure, they can , technically under these rules. But the rules are so burdensome that they make returning to school nothing like school was Pre-C19.
In a large high school, the 50+ person limit will not allow for things such as Friday night football, pep rallies, homecoming dances, band, musicals, eating with friends in the cafeteria — all of which are important for a teen’s social development — which is a critical part of their education. Even “passing periods” in the hallways will become a logistical nightmare.
Given these restrictions, it’s also becoming evident that there is no way that a high school could even have that many kids in the building at one time for purely academic learning. So that means some sort of hybrid plan of in-person vs. e-learning. I will not apologize for saying this, but anything but 100% in school learning is an unacceptable compromise for our children. E-learning was an abject failure this past spring and the thought of students continuing w/e-Learning in any capacity for this upcoming school year is unacceptable.
Our kids have already sacrificed a LOT for the greater good of society. It is time for their lives to be returned to them. All the research indicates that children are not severely impacted by this virus. So, let them go to school. They were “locked in” last spring to prevent the vulnerable in society from catching C19 so that our hospitals would not be overwhelmed. The hospitals met their goals, so let the kids get their lives back.
By keeping kids out of school, our government is making a mockery of promises that were made to society of doing our part to “flatten the curve”. I preached this loudly to my children last March and we all did our part. They now, rightly so, feel duped by our gov’t officials and feel that they’ve been lied to. I do, too.
I understand that some families might be uncomfortable sending their kids back. Perhaps they can work w/the school district for an e-learning plan. Additionally, some teachers might not feel comfortable either. Sounds harsh, but MANY people are returning to work and have to accept the risks associated with them. Why are teachers “special” in this regard?
Please remove these burdensome restrictions so that our local school districts can do “right” by our children,
Sincerely,
* Meanwhile…
President Donald Trump might want all schools to reopen their buildings this fall, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but Mayor Lori Lightfoot said it’s too early to say what Chicago Public Schools will do, and she insisted the question of reopening must be left up to local school districts.
“This really has to be a localized decision. Candidly, I don’t put much weight into what President Trump says, particularly given his lack of leadership over the course of this pandemic, but making those kinds of decisions has to lie with the local school district, because we and they are the ones that know what’s actually happening in local circumstances,” Lightfoot said Wednesday morning.
In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Trump accused Democrats of plotting to keep schools closed before the November election, and threatened to “cut off funding” if schools don’t reopen in the fall.
If folks in DC were truly interested in reopening the schools, they would offer some financial and logistical assistance. But the White House does appear to be tapping into a strong sentiment from at least some parents that schools absolutely must be fully reopened.
* I did a quick search and didn’t see any July polling, but here’s one from June…
Overall, a combined 54 percent of American voters said they are somewhat uncomfortable or very uncomfortable with reopening K-12 schools for the beginning of the coming school year. Fifty-eight percent of voters said they’re uncomfortable with reopening day care centers, according to the online survey of close to 2,000 registered voters.
Forty-eight percent of voters said they were very or somewhat uncomfortable with reopening colleges and universities, while 43 percent said they were comfortable with the idea.
The survey also suggests Black voters hold some of the biggest worries about schools reopening. […]
A combined 73 percent of surveyed Black voters said they were somewhat or very uncomfortable with reopening day care centers. Forty percent of surveyed Black voters said they were very uncomfortable with reopening K-12 schools, while 27 percent said they were somewhat uncomfortable with the idea. Thirty-five percent of surveyed Black voters said they were very uncomfortable with reopening colleges and universities this fall.
* Last night…
With President Trump ramping up pressure on states and districts to return to normal school operations, many of the nation’s principals have deep misgivings that schools and districts can keep students and staff members safe when buildings reopen in the fall, according to a new poll of school leaders.
Twenty-nine percent of principals were “unsure” that they or their school district could keep students safe when schools reopen, according to a poll released Wednesday by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
And the remainder of the responders were nearly evenly split: 34.9 percent of school leaders said they were not confident they could keep students and staff safe and healthy while 35.2 percent felt confident they’d be able to do so, according to the poll.
Among those who responded to the poll, 15 percent said they were “not at all confident” that they could “preserve the health of staff and students” when buildings reopen this fall. Only 12.4 percent of respondents were “extremely confident,” while 22.8 percent were “somewhat confident.” […]
The survey of 1,450 school administrators was conducted Tuesday and Wednesday amid the calls from Trump and members of his administration to fully reopen schools.
*** UPDATE *** Elgin’s U-46 district just completed a survey of over 3,000 staff and 13,000 families. Some results…
For families, the most important assurances for return to in-person instruction:
1) Strict 6-foot social distancing and group size limits – 4,296 1 , 2,462 2 choice
2) Use of face coverings at all times even if social distancing is maintained – 2,907 1st choice, 2,099 2nd choice
3) Frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces – 1,464 1st choice, 2,385 2nd choice
4) Frequent adult-supervised hand-washing or sanitizing routines - 1,675 1st choice, 2,857 2nd choice
5) Clear protocols for communicating cases if COVID-19 – 1,695 1st choice, 1,070 2nd choice
6) No sharing of objects without disinfection before use – 441 1st choice, 1,607 2nd choice
Just 32 percent supported a return to in-person learning every day for all students.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:19 am
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The Republican strategy for handling this virus continues to be to pretend it isn’t happening and to treat it as a ploy created to hurt the president’s reelection. The fact that they are willing to risk the health of their children to pretend everything is “back to normal” is disappointing, but not surprising.
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:25 am
“But the rules are so burdensome that they make returning to school nothing like school was Pre-C19.”
No kidding, because we are still not “post-C19″. You can’t just wish this away because you miss what life was before the pandemic.
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:26 am
The insanity that a school district, or school, needs to return to “Pre-Covid” is a laughable thought as the world (Europe specifically) is stopping travel of Americans TO Europe.
So… these moms think it’s safe for their kids to congregate as Europe wants nothing to do with any of us.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:30 am
“The hospitals met their goals, so let the kids get their lives back.”
Not yet they haven’t won. Have these moms taken a look at the current numbers coming from the IDPH?
Comment by Bruce (no not him) Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:32 am
Our son had his first year in college disrupted by COVID-19. A dear friend had their child’s senior prom and graduation cancelled because of COVID-19.
They are far from alone in that.
This generation of young people will remember this for the rest of their lives. They’ll also remember what we collectively did in response to this, and (rightly) judge us according to what our priorities were.
I know what I will want the young people to remember about my actions.
Comment by thunderspirit Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:32 am
Let’s call this the “Karen Kampaign”.
Comment by Zim Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:33 am
There are a lot of very practical reasons that trying to re-open schools for in-class room learning.
But you’re not going to have anything like pre-COVID, and it can’t be dictated from the top down as to how to re-open and when. These people are nuts.
Comment by Nick Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:34 am
“I’m told the governor’s office has been inundated with this formulaic email, mainly from suburban moms”
In politics, it is not the message or the messenger that counts. Rather t is the number of messengers that count. If there are enough of these suburban moms - they can be a force to reckon with.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:34 am
“..our government is making a mockery of promises that were made to society of doing our part to “flatten the curve”. I preached this loudly to my children last March and we all did our part. They now, rightly so, feel duped by our gov’t officials and feel that they’ve been lied to. I do, too.”
Yes, we did flatten the curve, which was great, and it’s why Illinois is still one of the lowest in terms of growth and new cases recently. The problem is, too many people are ignoring the recommendations to wear masks, social distance, etc. and we’re seeing an uptick in new cases again.
If we were doing as some other countries are doing, where everyone is wearing masks and doing all the right things, we could have had “normal” school in the fall. But we aren’t, we didn’t, and now we can’t.
Comment by Scott Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:37 am
Can we just admit that 2020 has been an attack on logic and intelligence? We still don’t understand this disease, its long-term impacts or other complications that can occur from it. Even though these @holes want to reopen schools because some anti-vaxer right wing site told them it’s OK, we should abandon science and medicine. I pray for the children. Please let the ignorant adults not have final say.
Comment by Wire Tap Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:38 am
=== If there are enough of these suburban moms - they can be a force to reckon with.===
Um…
Typing that and ignoring polling of the GOP and Trump with suburban women… dunno if that path makes sense, given the underlying politics.
With respect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:38 am
I am really puzzled..Trump said, and we know he don’t lie..that he knows more about the virus than even doctors and they were amazed at how much he knows…
Yet here we are with over 130,000 Americans dead and rapidly climbing and untold numbers with lasting deficiencies and disabilities due to Covid…
The Emporer wears no clothes…
Comment by Hope can it be soo bad!?!? Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:39 am
“By keeping kids out of school, our government is making a mockery of promises that were made to society of doing our part to “flatten the curve”.”
Have you looked at the curve lately? Ain’t nothin flat about it.
Comment by Bruce (no not him) Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:39 am
The number of Friday night football games I went to is zero. I think I turned out okay. I wonder at the vapidness of someone that thinks that anything on those lists is critical for social development. Not having school dances isn’t the end of the world. We don’t expect 18 year olds to be married and parents by 19 with Jane at home with the kids while John gets a job at the plant in the next town over, where he’ll work for 42 years before he retires with a gold watch.
===Our kids have already sacrificed a LOT for the greater good of society.===
So now it’s time for some of them to die unnecessarily?
Up on the altar, kids! Some of you need to die so Karen can take homecoming pictures.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:40 am
I do empathize with parents. Being a little over a month away from a new school year and having no idea what is going to happen has to br extremely stressful and frustrating.
What i don’t understand is how anybody can be confident that sending kids back to school is safe for their kids.
Comment by Sox Fan Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:40 am
OW +1
Europe is beginning to live the Post-COVID life these AstroTurf “moms” allege to want. The citizens and leaders of Italy, Spain, Germany and other nations listened to doctors and scientists and stayed the course.
And Europeans don’t want these “moms” anywhere near their own children.
Comment by Scott Cross for President Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:42 am
I empathize deeply with families that need to send their kids to school because they have to work. It’s an incredibly tough situation for those parents trying to provide food and shelter and many (most) of them need schools to open.
We’re lucky and going in a different direction despite living in the boundaries of one of the best CPS elementary schools. My wife basically makes her own (part-time) schedule, and we’ve already ordered all of the home school materials we’re going to need for the academic year…just in case.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:42 am
Form letters like this won’t move state policy. Thanks goodness. School officials are scrambling to find solutions that will work. Pretending all is well is not an option.
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:43 am
“It is time to have their lives returned to them.”
So they can enter, what is on a good day, a breeding ground for any virus.
Comment by efudd Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:44 am
I’m reading about the greatest generation while watching the “me” generation whine about being inconvenienced.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:45 am
I am in the “if they can go back to in-person with all the safety precautions, please do” camp. Masks, distancing, whatever it takes. I know it will be unlike anything normal but online learning for younger kids is not nearly as effective as in-person so I’d rather have a weird/difficult in-person year than an entire year of fractional learning, if at all possible. I realize though that some schools simply won’t be able to provide for this and we may well not have enough teachers willing to risk it which I totally understand as well. It is a conundrum. The kids can’t get this year back (I assume simply suspending school for a semester or year is not something being considered, nor would I want it to be). But then again, we want everyone to live to see another year. No good choices.
Comment by DownStateEr Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:46 am
How do you get so far up your own rear end that you think your kid’s HS football and pep rallies matter at all at a time like this?
As someone with a spouse and child who work in and attend schools in the NW burbs, the blinkered entitlement on display in this letter is completely disgusting. If it comes down to using HS space so that K-2 can attend in person that’s absolutely what should happen, as the young students simply cannot learn through the internet. All the Boss Mommies can set up their own HS football leagues at the local park if their precious little Taylors and Tylers need football and cheerleading that badly.
Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:51 am
This is so dangerously stupid. I can only imagine the Mom groups of areas like Naperville and Barrington who are leading this nonsense will respond when they have to explain why their child’s teacher/coach/etc. has died.
Every signatory to this god-awful letter needs to volunteer in their child’s school - please, let me see how many are willing to risk it when it is their own health and safety on the line.
Comment by Dee Lay Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:51 am
-Norseman greatest generation- I think about them every time I read about another 90+ death from Covid. Was it a woman who riveted B-29’s ? A man who landed at Omaha Beach ? The GOP doesn’t seem to want to remember the greatest generation now…
Comment by Anotheretiree Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:53 am
== How do you get so far up your own rear end that you think your kid’s HS football and pep rallies matter at all at a time like this? ==
It is a complete lack of empathy for anyone that isn’t part of their immediate circle. Seeing a hundred thousand Americans dead means nothing to them as long as it isn’t them or their immediate family. It is the same where people are pro-deportation until they realize their drinking buddy or their boyfriend technically was undocumented because his mom brought him to the US as a baby.
Comment by Homebody Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:54 am
To the update;
=== Just 32 percent supported a return to in-person learning every day for all students.===
Isn’t Trump’s base, roughly, 38%?
These choices to open schools aren’t based on medical or scientific thinking…
… the 32% are, arguably, politically thinking?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:55 am
I read the list and noted that it started with football, pep rallys and ends with lunch. I had kids who went to a very large north suburban school. They never attended a sports event, or a pep rally and the cafeteria was never large enough to accommodate the kids who either ate lunch sitting on the hallway floor or during class, which the teachers were used to. They did not end up scarred from the experience.
I realize pandemic rules are not the same but I do believe that the kids can adapt, even if the parents have trouble adjusting.
Comment by Banish Misfortune Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:57 am
On the day we closed the schools, March 16th, we added 12 new cases. Yesterday we added 980 amid discussions of reopening. I understand we’re testing more and the percent positive is steady, but this all seems so surreal to even be having this conversation.
Comment by Bob Loblaw Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:57 am
Larry Bowa Jr.-
These are generally the parents who live vicariously through their kids, and determine their worth through what organizations they belong.
Comment by efudd Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:58 am
Gov. Pritzker is not going to be pushed around by a bunch of Karens who are trying to politicize public health and ignore scientific evidence.
This virus doesn’t care what you think you or your kids have sacrificed. It kills and maims regardless.
And, think about what your kids have gained: the knowledge that when selfish, ignorant adults make foolish decisions and behave irresponsibly there are terrible consequences for society.
Still, the Pritzker administration should be more pointed in communicating how much we don’t know about the virus and its long-term effects.
The biggest failure is allowing the outcome to be seen as binary: you either die or you recover. There is mounting evidence that is not the case. And, it’s very troubling:
“Doctors may be missing signs of serious and potentially fatal brain disorders triggered by coronavirus, as they emerge in mildly affected or recovering patients, scientists have warned.
“Neurologists are on Wednesday publishing details of more than 40 UK Covid-19 patients whose complications ranged from brain inflammation and delirium to nerve damage and stroke. In some cases, the neurological problem was the patient’s first and main symptom.” [The Guardian]
Comment by Moe Berg Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 9:59 am
If they try to open schools without adequate protections in place, remote learning if that’s not possible, there will be tremendous pushback from educators. The unions will not accept anything less.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:02 am
I think everyone of these letters should start with the following two words, “Dear Virus.”
Pritzker is in quite a pickle here. Cancel pep rallies or cancel lives. The moms think the kids will be ok. I guess they view the teachers, administrators, and staff as expendable. Anything to make sure we have a homecoming dance I guess.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:04 am
Open the Schools with adequate options for those who wish to stay at home. Understand that kids WILL NOT keep their mask on all day and please explain the discipline you would use if (when) they refuse? Deep cleaning and social distancing for sure and ensure options that work for those who opt out and stay home. Most importantly KEEP THE FEDS OUT OF LOCAL SCHOOL GOVERNANCE COMPLETELY and count on ISBE for best practice suggestions for both health considerations and learning options…the safest thing is that this is being politicized by both sides with Trump leading the parade.
Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:05 am
- Scott Cross for President -
Appreciate that, thanks.
To amplify, I can’t see how a whole continent sees Americans in their countries as unacceptable, yet, we in this country’s leadership feel this need to purposely choose an unsafe environment, (in so far as polling of those effected don’t want to, with safety concerns underlying) this pushing of a majority by a minority to do sometime the majority feels isn’t a healthy thing… that’s not a society looking out for all.
The 32% found in the Elgin questionnaire is putting into focus the dangerously silly thoughts of these moms… as Trump and the GOP can’t count on suburban moms right now as their voters.
Politics over science and majority worries is too dangerous a way to run policy.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:07 am
Would not want to be the school activities director who has to schedule a couple of staff/student funerals around homecoming week.
Comment by Enemy of the State Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:12 am
“KEEP THE FEDS OUT OF LOCAL”
Don’t have to worry about that.
Comment by efudd Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:15 am
Countries in Europe that have reopened schools have modified their school settings.
Here is one example:”In Denmark, where average class sizes were around 20 students prior to COVID-19, classes were divided into two to three smaller groups and, whenever possible, held outside.”
Reopening schools—Insights from Denmark and Finland
https://brook.gs/38khBLO
Comment by Enviro Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:27 am
Going back to PreCovid would be great. Trouble is most people simply want to ignore it as if it will go away. What is the percentage of mask wearers in any community? How many people follow physical distancing? The answer around me and from watching news reports is a very low percent and dropping. Watch those stats from Europe. A couple of hundred cases a day in 100M people where the US is tapping 50,000 a day. We have been unwilling to acknowledge the science and follow tough guideline because ‘my right to go mask free’ is far more important than consistently working hard as a community to solve an unforgiving, relentless viral problem.
So open those schools. What school has enough space for 6 foot desk distances in any classroom? Recent stats are showing huge jumps in under 30 yr olds getting infections. After the teachers (mostly under 50) get sick, the demand for temps (generally retired people over 50) will skyrocket. Where is the volume of retired person willing to touch this for their own safety? Football and school dances will be the least problems.
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:28 am
Whatever the norm was before this, it’s not coming back.
Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:30 am
Yeah, um, football and prom and such are not Learning. I’m not moved by that argument. I did see one bright idea here that makes a lot of sense to me: repurposing the classroom spaces in the high schools this year to add supplemental space for pre-k and kindergarten thru maybe fifth grades with a “safe” student-teacher ratio of …maybe five kids? I’m not expert enough to set the exact number - but that’s going to be much more classroom real estate for the social distancing, anyway, and the smaller the group of kids, the better and easier a teacher can handle them and work with them. The older kids can “take one for team America” and e-learn this year. That’s not optimal, but life could be worse.
“I wanna go back to pre-covid lifestyles living, boo-hoo”. Well, I’d like to go back to some pre-9/11 aspects of life too… and that ain’t gonna happen, either. Get over it, astroturf Mom. Throw your elitist dances and sporting events in your back yard.
People keep asking for a “return to Normal”, never realizing that “Normal” wasn’t really working in the first place. “Normal” is just “customary” or “habituated”, or what was previously comfortable for them, personally… “Normal” in some parts of the world, is dodging sniper fire and mortar rounds on your way to the market and back. Or walking three miles out and back to gather sticks to build a cooking fire. Or rolling up a sleeping bag and panhandling under an overpass to get enough to buy a meal. Or laying out your driver license and registration on your dashboard every morning on your commute, so if you’re stopped for a bad tail light, you won’t need to make any “furtive moves” and get shot.
“Normal”. As if.
There never was a “normal.” Only what was customary. And customary isn’t always right or fair, either.
We have to live in the -now-, and work towards the future we want. You don’t get there by slavishly imitating and living in the past. People that do are selfish and lazy, and nobody should be listening to them.
Comment by Give us Barabbas Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:34 am
===Understand that kids WILL NOT keep their mask on all day and please explain the discipline you would use if (when) they refuse?===
What if I replaced “mask” with “pants” or “shirt” or even “shoes”? Would that sentence make any sense at all? Kids learn quite well whatever we are willing to teach them. If you teach them that a mask is important and necessary, most will wear one all day. If you teach them that they are special and masks are bad, they will learn that lesson as well.
To the post…wow…so much assumed privilege in one letter. So much ignorance of pandemics, child psychology, teaching & learning, etc. Wow.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:38 am
Repurposing high school classrooms to P-K thru 5 to reduce student-teacher ratio and give more isolation this year is a great idea IMO. The kids that need the hands-on teaching the most right now are the ones below reading age and fifth grade is where that inflection point happens between learning to read and reading to learn. Fifth grade and up, the kids are reading to learn on their own, and so e-learning from home can work for those older kids. This is probably the best compromise available now because it solves part of the day care problem for working parents as well as educating the little kids so they don’t fall irrecoverably behind, and giving teachers as much room as they need. We should poll the educators and health experts on their opinion of the viability of this approach.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:44 am
And there’s some activist “moms” that want schools closed until there’s a vaccine. There is absolutely no consensus or majority opinion on what back to school “safe” exactly will be in the Fall.
Comment by LL Cool Bean Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:45 am
Sounds like an allegedly growing number of suburban moms need to stop living vicariously through their children.
Comment by Leigh John-Ella Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:49 am
=== And there’s some activist “moms” that want schools closed until there’s a vaccine.===
Yeah… no one is making that argument.
This is the tool used to *try* to make reasonable discussion outside Covidiot wants seem as irrational as the Covidiots’ thoughts.
The White House wants “Open, 5 days a week, full tilt”
Ridiculous letters like this one, ignorant to science face blowback, so then it’s…
“And there’s some activist “moms” that want schools closed until there’s a vaccine.”
No.
What “activist” moms who don’t want to put teachers, administrators, children in harms way is a realistic way education can be safely done outside the “pre-Covid” era wants that are wholly impossible to do.
Respectfully.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:49 am
I bet the governor’s office had no idea how many 17-year-old twins suddenly exist in this state.
and Zim @ 9:33 wins the Internet today.
Comment by Northsider Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:51 am
If pre-K or Kindergarten are not mandated by the state, I think maybe drop them this year since children that young will be the hardest to get to consistently wear their masks or distance.
Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:57 am
===vapidness of someone that thinks that anything on those lists is critical for social development.===
Spot on. Frankly, she reminds me of being in high school, with certain cliques thinking their extracurricular activities were what high school is all about. With the sensible restrictions proposed, we’ll be lucky to get the learning accomplished. Dances and sports are just silly, needless endangerment.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:58 am
==What if I replaced “mask” with “pants” or “shirt” or even “shoes”?==
I think the difference is that you don’t breathe or talk through pants, shirts or shoes. I’d be interested to know what discipline a 2nd Grader should receive if they refuse to wear a mask for 45 minutes after eating lunch? What if it’s a 90 degree day and the 2nd Grader’s school doesn’t have air conditioning?
Comment by LL Cool Bean Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 10:59 am
== I bet the governor’s office had no idea how many 17-year-old twins suddenly exist in this state.==
That’s my thought, this sounds like an AstroTurf campaign. If you dig deep enough, I’d bet it’s there is good chance you’ll find a conservative political group behind it
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:03 am
=== I think the difference is that you don’t breathe or talk through pants, shirts or shoes.===
.., and yet breathing germs on another can spread Covid-19… so there’s that.
=== I’d be interested to know what discipline a 2nd Grader should receive if they refuse to wear a mask for 45 minutes after eating lunch? What if it’s a 90 degree day and the 2nd Grader’s school doesn’t have air conditioning?===
Send them home.
Next question.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:07 am
If my Facebook is any indication there is no such thing as a uniform “suburban mom” voting bloc.
There are suburban moms who shared the “Plandemic” video and put Pritzker Sucks signs in their yards to protest business closures and are currently vacationing in Destin, FL or Myrtle Beach, SC with their families and are generally pretending coronavirus is not a real threat at all.
Then there are other suburban moms still fairly hunkered down and constantly complaining about Trump’s response to the pandemic putting their loved ones in danger and sharing videos on social media of people being jerks about being told to wear masks in the public.
The only thing these suburban moms have in common is both of these women get called Karen.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:07 am
Thank goodness we have independent school boards not in control of the Mayor in Orland Park. Mayor Pekau ( aka little Donald Trump ) would have are kids running around school with no masks ( he doesn’t believe in them ) and no social distancing. Proms, home coming, full stadiums for football you name it you would see it. Hopefully JB sticks to his beliefs so our kids are safe.
Comment by Hard D Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:09 am
==Send them home.==
What if this is done in a racial or gender disproportionate manner?
Comment by LL Cool Bean Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:10 am
== school doesn’t have air conditioning?==
This guy makes a good point, although I don’t know that I’d agree with the implication. People would be shocked if they knew the number of rural schools that don’t have air conditioning systems, which is in itself a huge problem at the beginning and end of the school year. If schools can’t afford air conditioning, I have a hard time believing they can afford to provide enough PPE and sanitizing products for everyone *and* hire the extra teachers it would require to have smaller groupings of students throughout a five day school week.
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:10 am
=== What if this is done in a racial or gender disproportionate manner?==
Then the angry, white, rural Trumpkins will need to have their kids wear masks.
Aw, see what I did to your straw man.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:11 am
The “activist” person(s) who penned this letter
a) aren’t following the actual discussion about K-12 reopening at all
b) have their priorities seriously mixed up
c) consider teachers expendable and don’t even bother to mention bus drivers, admin asst, janitorial staff … What’s that tell us?
Not quite sure what the purpose of this missive is because it sure isn’t going to move anybody in the Administration.
Comment by dbk Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:12 am
Just take a look at what happened in Mahomet a few weeks ago. 40 teenagers gathered at someone’s house for their “prom”. Within 2 weeks, at least 17 confirmed cases could be traced back to that party. I’m afraid that is a sign of what is going to happen when school resumes unless some safety procedures are followed.
Comment by Concerned citizen Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:12 am
All day preschool will not take children who are not potty trained.
K? Got that?
We’re arguing that 2nd graders can’t keep masks on, because facing having to go home won’t work?
Huh?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:13 am
“The hospitals met their goals”
Hey Karen, perhaps you should use your connections with the local hospital fundraising auxiliary to get an appointment with one of the vice-presidents of the local hospital.
You could have a nice lunch to post to your Instagram, and a discussion about how many patients the clinical director fears the local hospital’s going to get during flu season this year, starting in November.
You probably won’t pay a (banned word) bit of attention to what the clinical director says, but at least you’ll have the Insta post to bully the staff with, when your family members are in the hospital in December and February with Covid-19.
Have a nice life (banned punctuation). Given the location of your head, hope you don’t smother to death too soon; proper funerals are soooo much work to plan.
Signed,
It’s a good thing I’m no longer on the local school board, because I’d get into a lot of trouble and get censured when I responded to one of these letters.
Comment by Lynn S. Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:16 am
===That’s my thought, this sounds like an AstroTurf campaign. If you dig deep enough, I’d bet it’s there is good chance you’ll find a conservative political group behind it===
I’m in agreement with Lester Holt’s Mustache on this. Sure follows some of the previous astroturf movements. Fortunately the Gov’s office will see the IP traces on the e-mail they receive. They could detect a common source.
Comment by Proud Sucker Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:18 am
=I’d be interested to know what discipline a 2nd Grader should receive if they refuse to wear a mask for 45 minutes after eating lunch?=
If a 2nd grader “refuses” to follow the rules in school, any rules, they should be sent home. And if there are legitimate health reasons that keep them from wearing a mask their should be an alternative way to educate them that doesn’t put other people at risk. We seem to be incapable of doing even the simplest things that other countries are doing to get through this pandemic. When did we become so soft?
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:34 am
Is Murphy’s Law still in effect?…asking for Karen.
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:34 am
=== All the research indicates that children are not severely impacted by this virus.===
From Lake County Public Health Press Release yesterday…
“The Lake County Health Department is reporting an upward trend in new Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) cases among teenagers and young adults in the past two weeks. Since June 25, 2020, cases reported in Lake County residents under age 30 have been rising while cases in the general population have remained steady.
“During our case investigations, we are finding that many young people who attended social gatherings with their friends have become infected with COVID-19,” said Dr. Sana Ahmed, Medical Epidemiologist for the Lake County Health Department. “Youth are just as likely as adults to get and spread this virus, and your risk is higher if you and those you spend time with are not following social distancing, handwashing, and masking guidelines. We ask that everyone continue to take these risks seriously and contact the Health Department if you think you have been exposed. We need your help to keep this virus under control.”
Comment by Guy Probably Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:35 am
=== If you dig deep enough, I’d bet it’s there is good chance you’ll find a===
Facebook page. I’m pretty sure of it.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:36 am
Pot kettle
If you can’t tell the difference between a mask and pants then I cannot begin to reason with you
Willy- send them home. really. You should never run a school
Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:46 am
===can’t tell the difference between a mask and pants===
Can I try? A mask can help save the lives and health of other people. Pants cover up underwear.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:47 am
My own experience thus far has been that the kids really don’t seem to care about missing homecoming or prom or graduation. They’re pretty resilient and move on quickly to whatever’s next in life. But the parent. OMG, what do you do when your status revolves around you throwing the biggest tailgate party on Friday nights and now there’s no football? What do you do when your status revolves around one upping every other parent with the biggest, grandest graduation party (that the graduate can’t wait to get away from). The kids will be fine. We should ask them for their thoughts and opinions a lot more and pay a lot less attention to the parents.
Comment by Leigh John-Ella Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:49 am
Yeah the kids may be at lower risk, but imagine how you would feel if even one of those kids didn’t survive. What if your kid was the .1% instead of the 99.9% touted by 45. Also what good does it do to get kids back to school if teachers, janitors, bus drivers became ill. It is not about you, it is about all of us.
Comment by illinifan Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:50 am
=== send them home. really.===
Hmm. Kids get sent home for skirts too high, foul language on shirts, not meeting the code of conduct.
Yet, a mask? “Oh no, they can’t be sent home”
Masks are for others to be safe, not as much the student
===You should never run a school===
… because preschools demand a child be potty trained, no one blinks, but sending kids home unable to wear a mask is “too far”
If you want schools open, kids should be not only required to wear masks, but all should be put in a position to be safely socially distanced.
Don’t ask me… ask Dr. Birx about her grandmother infecting her great grandmother about school during a pandemic;
=== Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, took a personal tact on Wednesday as she made her latest plea to the American public to practice social distancing.
Birx noted that her grandmother Leah lived with a lifetime of guilt, because she caught the flu at school and, in turn, infected her mother. Leah’s mother, who had just given birth, died of the flu — one of an estimated 50 million worldwide who died in the 1918 influenza epidemic, Birx said.
“She never forgot that she was the child that was in school that innocently bought that flu home,” Birx said of her grandmother, who was 11 at the time. “This is why we keep saying to every American: You have a role to protect each and every person that you interact with. We have a role to protect one another.”===
Capiche?
Oh… the cite.
shorturl.at/lxMR8
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:54 am
The American Academy of Pediatrics supports school openings. I’m pretty sure they’re actual experts and want what is in the best interests of children:
As schools and states develop plans for students to return to school during the COVID-19 pandemic, the AAP has updated interim guidance to reflect the growing understanding of the virus’ impact on children and adolescents.
“COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry” stresses the fundamental role of schools in providing academic instruction, social and emotional skills, safety, nutrition, physical activity, and mental health therapy.
Schools are critical to addressing racial and social inequity. School closure and virtual educational modalities have had a differential impact at both the individual and population level for diverse racial, ethnic, and vulnerable groups, according to the guidance. Evidence from spring 2020 school closures points to negative impacts on learning. Children and adolescents also have been placed at higher risk of morbidity and mortality from physical or sexual abuse, substance use, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
“The AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school,” according to the guidance. These coordinated interventions intend “to mitigate, not eliminate, risk” of SARS-CoV-2.
https://www.aappublications.org/news/2020/06/26/schoolreopening062620
Comment by phocion Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:55 am
Tagging on to Concerned Citizen 11:12
That private prom in Mahomet?
At least 7 businesses, including the Mahomet Jimmy John’s and the Mahomet branch of Fisher National Bank, had staff members test positive. The businesses had to close for cleaning, and staff couldn’t come back until their Covid-19 test was negative, so people had to be brought in to cover shifts.
At least 35 Covid-19 cases in Champaign County trace back to that private prom. Not every case was someone in the prom, but still…
17/40 is not a percentage to brag about. 35/40 is even worse.
The only good news at this point is that I haven’t heard of a death connected to this prom. God willing, it will stay that way.
Comment by Lynn S. Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:57 am
Kids are not the problem. Most doctors, counselors, and social workers agree we are losing more lives to lock down than you will to kids in school. There is 0 statistical risk of death to healthy kids. Other risks are much greater and there is not even a legitimate argument.
But what do you do with teachers? What do you do when 1/2 your staff gets COVID? I’m thinking other than OW being a hero, subs are going to be hard to find this fall.
Comment by the Patriot Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:58 am
=Pants cover up underwear.= Sometimes depends.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 11:59 am
I’ve been warning JB for months. Hell hath no furry like a mom whose kid has missed football.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:00 pm
Rich, are you sure about that underwear thing.?
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:02 pm
=== There is 0 statistical risk of death to healthy kids.===
Ok, now do infected kids.
=== I’m thinking other than … being a hero, subs are going to be hard to find this fall.===
Dunno why i was cited, but whatevs… to that thought, when did teachers become so front line they are required to be in a place with possibly some folks unwilling to follow the simple requirement of a mask.
Masks can’t be an optional idea, otherwise, who could blame ANY teacher, administrator, custodian, lunch worker… from refusing to be in a “probable” hot spot… weeks later?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:04 pm
===American Academy of Pediatrics supports===
Yes, I did a post on that several days ago. Try to keep up.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:09 pm
==Pot kettle
If you can’t tell the difference between a mask and pants then I cannot begin to reason with you==
If you cannot understand school attire requirements to meet health and safety needs (as well as a host of other reasons), I cannot begin to reason with you.
=== I’d be interested to know what discipline a 2nd Grader should receive if they refuse to wear a mask for 45 minutes after eating lunch? What if it’s a 90 degree day and the 2nd Grader’s school doesn’t have air conditioning?===
As has been described in several posts above, schools discipline 2nd graders every day; they’ll be fine. With respect to hot rooms, schools have been dealing with this as well.
Having served on a school board for 16 years, I have no doubt that 1) teachers, administrators, and boards will be able to deal with this 2) mistakes will be made and rectified and plans will evolve with knowledge and experience. The return to school will not be perfect, but it cannot be done by pretending that there is no COVID-19.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:09 pm
Who will volunteer to teach when Teachers fall ill or perish?…is a good question for Karen?
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:13 pm
Not sure what, “now do infected kids” means, but kids get sick, send them home. Remote learning for a small portion closer to viable.
Practically, Madigan and Pritzker decided we are going to school by passing a budget without major cash infusions for tech. You can’t remote learn and comply with the state and federal law on free and equal access to public education.
While everyone wants to bash Trump, Madigan said he wants kids in school when he didn’t fund option b or pass a bill to ease at least the state portion of the requirements.
Violated special ed plans and the suits that will follow will sink districts if they don’t go back.
Comment by the Patriot Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:18 pm
This isn’t really about schools and education. Trump wants upward economic numbers for his campaign. People can’t work if their kids aren’t in school. Hence, schools have to be open, 100% in person. So CDC is ordered to make the advice fit the goals rather than the science.
Comment by Rasselas Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:19 pm
Looks like the plug just got pulled by the IHSA on athletics being able to hold some camps this week. Hard to be optimistic about much “normalcy” this fall.
Comment by Cheap Seats Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:22 pm
“Hell hath no furry like a mom whose kid has missed football.”
A loud fool is still a fool.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:23 pm
I wouldn’t characterize any parent looking to have their kids go back to school in a negative light. There’s a lot left to learn between now and the Fall. I’m hoping we can 1-do no harm (shields better than masks for kids and teachers), 2- half on half off to limit numbers per classroom, 3-increase cleaning, 4- add toilet covers, 5-increase outside air, and 6- get rid of the unexcused absence law.
Comment by Biker Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:24 pm
=== Not sure what, “now do infected kids” means===
Yes you do. Look what you wrote;
=== There is 0 statistical risk of death to healthy kids.===
If they aren’t infected, there is a zero statistical risk of death, they aren’t infected… geez.
=== Madigan and Pritzker decided we are going to school by passing a budget without major cash infusions for tech. You can’t remote learn and comply with the state and federal law on free and equal access to public education.===
Narrator: the budget was bipartisan.
You know that too, but this idea that Trump failings is “Madigan’s fault” or ignoring the great work Pritzker has done during the pandemic, you choose to say a bipartisan budget is a Democratic creation… yikes man.
=== suits that will follow will sink districts if they don’t go back.===
Winning the law suits will be the trick… during a global pandemic, when reasonable health benchmarks can’t be met?
You mention Madigan twice and support Trump throughout, and you want an activist court to force schools… when you frame it as you have, the endangering of students, teachers, administrators… is fine… because… Madigan?
Whew.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:29 pm
Talking to a teacher on a return to school committee every day, it is complicated. A poll is the worst idea because on this issue 2/3 are on either side of the issue and the other 1/3 will disagree no matter what you say.
We have to get back to considering the entire issues, not just COVID. Family counseling/child abuse centers are seeing almost no referrals. Did these kids suddenly find loving homes are have we isolated them in terrible situations? Yes, going back to school has consequences, but so does not. The governor has to to get his head out of his kiester and realize that not everyone has $3 Billion and killing their lives is equally as dangerous as this virus.
Comment by the Patriot Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:35 pm
=== We have to get back..===
In Elgin? There only 32% agree with you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:37 pm
=== Talking to a teacher on a return to school committee…===
Anecdotal is not fact.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:39 pm
=== The governor has to to get his head out of his kiester and realize that not everyone has $3 Billion and killing their lives is equally as dangerous as this virus.===
So.. . It’s about money and jobs.., over lives… the lives of children… teachers, school personnel..,
Well, if a child needs to get sick… or worse… so we can eat at an Appleby’s to be normal, amirite?
What’s someone’s child or grandchild worth to YOU?
Some would say priceless.., which is more than your envious $3 billion snark.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:42 pm
Any polling that includes staff is biased. Ask the parents whether they want their kids educated in school. The online learning concept was a joke and our children lost half a year of education. If teachers don’t want to teach, they should find another job.
Comment by Law Man Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:54 pm
=== Any polling that includes staff is biased===
Did you not read what Dr. Birx says about her great grandmother and grandmother?
What “be quiet and teach”… that’s your thought?
What a crock.
===If teachers don’t want to teach, they should find another job.===
You volunteering?
A safe workplace isn’t in your thoughts?
Whew.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:57 pm
This is a virus that affects people with underlying conditions and the elderly. What happened to “follow the science”?
See table 1
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm
Comment by Taxpayer Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:58 pm
Let’s take this paragraph at full face value, lets say kids can get it and all it is a sniffle and an inconvenience (yeah I know that is not the case). It’s doesn’t change the fact that once Timmy and Tommy have it, they are not going to be able to spread it.
So Timmy and Tommy will interact with adults at school every day, some of whom are not 23-year-old cross-fit athletes. Adults who may be old enough to be in a risk group may have other health issues, is that the ‘price’ you need to pay to be an educator or coach or lunchroom worker. You are willing to get a disease that may kill you at worse and at best is going to seriously disrupt your family for a couple of weeks.
All so Timmy and Tommy don’t have to wear a mask or social distance and can have a ‘normal’ HS experience?
Well, that isn’t going to happen even if you want it to, I strongly suspect lot of people will take a hard pass working in that environment.
I love football, that is why once my son was done I became an official, so kids could play football and if schools take appropriate actions to mitigate risks I am willing to take a risk an officiate this year if we follow the ‘let kids be kids’ plan, I think a lot of us are going to take a pass.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 12:59 pm
=== There is 0 statistical risk of death to healthy kids.===
There is always a statistical risk…a healthy kid could catch the virus and die…that is the reality of this virus (and pretty much every illness). The risk may be small, but the research on this virus is very limited; so, even that is not clear. However, the risk is not 0 for anyone.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:02 pm
=A poll is the worst idea because on this issue 2/3 are on either side of the issue and the other 1/3 will disagree no matter what you say=
Per the poll:
=Just 32 percent supported a return to in-person learning every day for all students.=
Which is what the President and moms for mayhem seem to be advocating. It would seem, in this instance, that the poll is quite informative.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:07 pm
=What happened to “follow the science”?=
The science follows anyone that’s walking around with the disease, healthy or otherwise, and may spread it to someone not so fortunate. If all we had to worry about was the health of the kids you’d have a point. But there are teachers, neighbors, parents, grand parents, and other people in the community who will come in contact with those kids.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:15 pm
Wearing a mask is easy, but social distancing would be a nightmare.
How can the schools & colleges that are packed to the rim do social distancing? Plus they can’t afford to hire more teachers for social distancing even if they have the space. On top of that, there are not enough teachers.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:19 pm
====== And there’s some activist “moms” that want schools closed until there’s a vaccine.===
Yeah… no one is making that argument.===
Maybe not in Oswego, but here in Chicago there are A LOT of families making that argument. There’s just not an astroturf campaign to get them to write the Governor…yet
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:20 pm
=== but here in Chicago there are A LOT of families making that argument.===
Can you cite such a movement and please define “A LOT”
=== There’s just not an astroturf campaign to get them to write the Governor…yet===
So it’ll be as phony as the “open everything now” bunch?
Thanks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:22 pm
The Army controls every aspect of a recruit’s life — 24 hours a day, every day. Nevertheless, they were unable to prevent an outbreak of coronavirus in Ft. Benning.
https://connectingvets.radio.com/articles/fort-benning-confirms-142-covid-19-cases-in-2-battalions
The idea that schools full of children can safely reopen seems increasingly ludicrous.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:26 pm
This is a virus that affects people with underlying conditions and the elderly. What happened to “follow the science”?
Any idea how many teachers, subs, janitors, lunch staff, administrative staff etc have those conditions? Or how many parents and grandparents have them? Do we know how well children do or don’t spread the virus? Do we know the age spread (i.e. do children 11? or any other age?)
Can we just look over an ocean and see how European schools are managing this and copy them? And if that involves masking and extremely small group sizes so be it?
If some school opens and has an outbreak and that outbreak goes beyond the school to the outlying community, people will be furious. Anti-tax people might even be able to get a referendum passed to reduce school expenditures if that happens.
Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:26 pm
“ Isn’t Trump’s base, roughly, 38%?”
OW—seems that among Elgin District parents, it’s roughly 32%. Which probably works with the cross tabs on the 38 number (not checking, just informed speculation).
Comment by Chris Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:28 pm
“If all we had to worry about was the health of the kids you’d have a point.”
Pundent, you are assuming school-aged kids do not have lung, heart and/or diabetic medical conditions. You may be surprised how many kids have preexisting medical conditions. With such conditions those children can easily catch the C-virus from someone else at school and die from the C-virus.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:29 pm
Northbrook parent survey results here: https://files.constantcontact.com/c0ee4565601/996732e2-83bd-48ba-a5c8-8057015605bd.pdf
Seems like a strong desire for in-person
Comment by Northbrook Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:32 pm
=Pundent, you are assuming school-aged kids do not have lung, heart and/or diabetic medical conditions.=
No I get that and I expect that many of those kids will be kept home for that very reason. I was pointing out the inherent flaws in the analysis that we only had to concern ourselves with the health of the kids.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:35 pm
=== Seems like a strong desire for in-person===
Which question on the survey are you wanting to be cited?
I’d want to know what specifically you are seeing to that… and how are “hybrid options“ polling… are they polling poorly?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:36 pm
Oswego Willy,
I am referring to Q8 and Q9.
Q8: 87% comfortable or somewhat comfortable with precautions. Most popular response includes “we want in-person learning.”
Q9: 86% expect child to return when in-person instruction resumes.
Comment by Northbrook Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:46 pm
===Most popular response includes “we want in-person learning.”===
That wasn’t the question.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:52 pm
“comfortable with precautions.” Yet some of you are arguing that “precautions” are impossible or impractical.
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:54 pm
Maybe those parents need to watch this:
WATCH: Virtual reality shows what Coronavirus does to your lungs. -by: CNN Newsource
Posted: Mar 25, 2020 / 07:26 AM EDT / Updated: Mar 25, 2020 / 09:02 AM EDT
https://www.wfla.com/community/health/coronavirus/watch-virtual-reality-shows-what-coronavirus-does-to-your-lungs/?fbclid=IwAR3Oa2Sd2XhDcNCIsMlLKc6nVOq52f8tFfkIDggw-YDNmUl0pRU4Mn70Is4
Comment by Mama Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:56 pm
Question 8:
Re-opening schools for in-person instruction may require students and teachers to: wear masks, adhere to social distancing at all times, have daily temperature checks, and have limited movement within the classroom/school. Under these conditions, how comfortable are you allowing your child to attend school?
46% - COMFORTABLE - Even under these extreme circumstances, we want in-person learning.
41% - SOMEWHAT COMFORTABLE - Though not ideal, we could make this work for our family.
Only 46% are “on board”, the additional 41%, according to the poll itself “could make it work.
It’s not 86% … “all in”… nope.
I dunno why Question 9 is cited…
Q9 If schools are allowed to reopen for in-person instruction, will any of the following impact your child’s ability to return? (check all that apply)
Example…
Someone within my household falls within a high-risk category which may not allow my child to physically return to school, even with the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and adherence to all health guidelines for re-opening school.
That response got 9.52%… about one in 11 or at least 2 students per class of 25… 3 students in a class of 30… could be, according to the survey… putting families at risk.
Sure, I hear “everything is a risk, OW”… but 2-3 kids per class infecting families… let’s say 2-3 classrooms per grade, K-8… 9 per 100 in high school already see they’d family at risk…
I don’t see that as a non-worry to push forward brazenly.
We’ll see how Northbrook reads these.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:58 pm
Rich, I suppose. It does look like an overwhelming majority are comfortable or somewhat comfortable with in-person among Northbrook parents, based on those two questions.
In Morton it looks like parents are even more in favor: http://week.com/2020/07/09/large-percentage-of-morton-parents-want-kids-in-school/
Comment by Northbrook Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 1:59 pm
https://twitter.com/jillianteaching/status/1280543238181576704?s=19 A thread from a teacher. And as you read her questions, think about all the “property taxes are too high” fervor and how that impacts the situation.
Comment by skeptic Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 2:03 pm
Can we call these moms the “Give me pep rallies or give me death” caucus?
Comment by The Way I See It Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 2:04 pm
I suspect polls are very local and in some cases based on the seriousness of the virus. People in Chicago screaming at rural folks they are killing everyone when they live in a place without a problem.
The only poll question that matters is what is your solution and what are you willing to do to help.
I personally am for in person learning, but I don’t live in Chicago either. Are the activists going to volunteer to teach when 1/2 the staff gets sick?
An opinion is one thing, a plan is another.
Comment by the Patriot Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 2:15 pm
===Can we just look over an ocean and see how European schools are managing this===
Generally a good idea. Wish Americans were more willing to learn from other nations. However, the big problem is that they have dramatically reduced cases (some to near zero), and we have not yet managed it. Their solutions do not fit our poor situation.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 2:21 pm
With No End in Sight to the Coronavirus, Some Teachers Are Retiring Rather Than Going Back to School -By Katie Reilly
July 8, 2020 1:27 PM EDT
https://time.com/5864158/coronavirus-teachers-school/?fbclid=IwAR2FirSTbIyWVsBfZhDDFpNCsW1GForrQeUoPPAArRBSQ3ZGQZ7tbEMsbz0
https://time.com/5864158/coronavirus-teachers-school/?fbclid=IwAR2FirSTbIyWVsBfZhDDFpNCsW1GForrQeUoPPAArRBSQ3ZGQZ7tbEMsbz0
Comment by Mama Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 2:21 pm
===Can we just look over an ocean and see how European schools are managing this===
No because they have closed their borders to Americans.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 2:23 pm
Are we waiting for zero cases anywhere before being ok resuming anything close to “normal” school instruction? Seems to me that the goalposts keep moving so just want to understand when kids might be able to go back to school without masks and all these safety protocols.
For those that will say “when there is a vaccine” not all kids get them now so do you really think a vaccine for COVID will change things?
Maybe we should just admit that our children will wear masks in public for the rest of their lives and be done with the arguing.
Comment by Logical Thinker Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 2:34 pm
=== Maybe we should just admit that our children will wear masks in public for the rest of their lives and be done with the arguing.===
Trump gave up stopping the virus, so…
=== Are we waiting for zero cases anywhere before being ok resuming anything close to “normal” school instruction?===
The argument is for the “new normal”… normal is gone. There’s no chance in the near term to “going back” to any past normalcy.
=== Seems to me that the goalposts keep moving so just want to understand when kids might be able to go back to school without masks and all these safety protocols.===
That old normal isn’t coming back anytime soon, maybe for longer than you’d like.
Sorry it’s inconvenient for you…
=== For those that will say “when there is a vaccine” not all kids get them now so do you really think a vaccine for COVID will change things?===
It’s also about teachers, administrators, others… you keep forgetting that with your illogical thinking…
Please pick up the extra straw from your straw men… thanks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 2:41 pm
And the IHSA today made major revisions to what is allowed for high school sports practice under phase 4: https://chicago.suntimes.com/high-school-sports/2020/7/9/21318902/high-school-sports-return-to-play-coronavirus
Comment by former southerner Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 2:52 pm
The caucus has a name:
Korovavirus
Ain’t
Real
Educate my kids
Now
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:33 pm
=Seems to me that the goalposts keep moving=
No they aren’t. They’re the same as they’ve always been. Wash your hands, practice social distancing, wear a mask when that’s not possible. The only thing that keeps moving are the excuses as to why these simple measures can’t be adopted. What the President and moms for mayhem are now referring to as “so burdensome.”
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 3:46 pm
===not all kids get them now===
Easily dealt with. No vaccine, no school.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:06 pm
== The only thing that keeps moving are the excuses as to why these simple measures can’t be adopted.==
So true.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:23 pm
We can’t get some ADULTS to wear a simple mask, but we’ll send their contaminated children to a germ factory capable of infecting entire areas because “Moms” demand it?? Yeah, OK, and if a million Moms believe something foolish, it is still a foolish thing. And if your school district can’t on won’t provide online instruction due to whatever reason(s), then start looking into Federally and State-accredited online courses for homeschooling. (Maybe we can get these Moms a biology course on viruses while we’re at it).
Comment by revvedup Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:28 pm
=== , the 50+ person limit will not allow for things such as Friday night football, pep rallies, homecoming dances, band, musicals, eating with friends in the cafeteria — all of which are important for a teen’s social development ===
My grandmother’s graduating class was 32. I think she turned out alright.
=== All the research indicates that children are not severely impacted by this virus. ===
That’s not true. All we know right now is that kids have been asymptomatic. But asymptomatic is not the same as unaffected or uninfected. You also have to wonder what the social-emotional impact would be on a child who realizes he has brought home COVID and infected his family, particularly if the infection turns serious or even fatal.
Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:30 pm
I thought it was a minor miracle that I survived high school. I guess these days that’s not enough. Kids have to carry the added burden that their parents will survive it.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jul 9, 20 @ 4:41 pm