Muh Muh Muh My Corona (virus)

Hell, we're getting revisionist history on this every day from the White House.

 

It's too soon to have a national discussion on this.

 

Define “safely.”

 

Note: Edited to indicate what I’m actually suggesting, which is extra teacher compensation. Edited again to remove the argument entirely.

 

You can shove it for your implication. First it's we hate Trump and want to hurt kids to stick it to Trump. Now it's teachers are holding out for money. This whole time teachers are screaming that we don't have a way to prevent students and teachers from getting sick in a practical way, but sure, we're just petty, greedy jerks. Get bent.

But to answer the "define safely" question because that is actually a real question and I respect @doctorquant for asking it. I think some are saying it won't be safe until there's a vaccine. Realistically, that might be the surest way. Practically, we probably can't get there. So it is 1) do we have enough cleaner and PPE to make being in a room practical to not just be a cesspool 2) are community infection rates low enough that us opening schools to hundreds or thousands of students not going to inject fresh oxygen and stoke an inferno 3) do we have effective testing to catch infections early so we minimize student exposure.

We are getting better at No. 1, but some districts haven't come up with enough of a plan with regard to that.
In too many communities, we're no where close to No. 2. Even parents don't feel comfortable because of this.
No. 3 ... well let's just say teachers are not being treated like professional athletes who can get tested every day and know the results in less than 24 hours.

 

This is just a good overview, and an easy, interesting read, of the coronavirus experience in the U.S. And accurate, too, I think.

The crisis that shocked the world: America’s response to the coronavirus

 

What a vile supposition

 

Who should start a national discussion? Is there anyone who could or should invite a cross section of people to discuss the matter?

 

In fact, I’d say teachers deserve hazard pay in districts where they do return to in person school. I personally find those teachers pretty heroic.

I’ve also chewed on a public, taxpayer-fueled fund for any teacher or the family of any teacher who falls ill or may pass.

I’d prioritize getting kids back to in person school above and beyond just about everything. I’d close bars to do it, mandate masks, whatever.

My sense is people at large don’t believe teachers are getting a fair deal in this process. Well, let’s get them more compensation.

 

It really is. But it's also probably an accurate view of our esteem and use of money. I, too, have little doubt that with such an increase in compensation, more, even most, teachers (or else their stand-ins) would be willing to teach in-person classes.

It's a moot point, too, though, since such an increase, whether deserved or not, would never happen.

 

You've already argued that the opposition to reopening is simply teacher unions "pouting" because they don't like the president.

No, saying "We'll send you a little something when you die" isn't cutting it.

 

Fair enough. That’s how you feel. Do you think, in general, the nationwide mood matches that?