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Schools do not have to reopen eventually. There are no physical laws that state so. Don't get me wrong here, I'm all for schools reopening and getting kids bac

Schools do not have to reopen eventually. There are no physical laws that state so. Don't get me wrong here, I'm all for schools reopening and getting kids back to learning in such an environment. But this virus is a Big Deal. Assumptions we'd have before covid-19 are not the ones we can have now. Assuming that schools reopen for the 2020-21 school year is, I'm afraid, one of those assumptions.

nradov 6y ago
Schools do have to reopen eventually. Education is essential for a functioning society. Distance learning and home schooling aren't adequate for the majority of primary school students. Without education, everything will eventually collapse in a manner far worse than losing 0.3% of the population to COVID-19. The reality is we have no good options so we have to pick the least bad one.
- Balgair 6y ago
  I still disagree. Covid-19 is particularly deadly for a flu. It may yet evolve into a more form. I also may evolve into a less deadly form. We just do not know. Still, either case is unlikely, I admit. If it became more deadly, then, well, no, we're not going back to schools until it is over. No one is going to send their kids to die. Even as deadly as it is, we're unlikely to keep schools open if an outbreak occurs within the student body. I agree that it's not good to keep the kids from learning, but keeping them and their families from dying is much more important. The key to getting kids back to school is to get rid of covid-19. Everything other plan keeps the virus going and prolongs the pain.
  - nradov 6y ago
    You haven't proposed a realistic alternative. Our incompetent federal and state politicians lack the will to take the steps necessary to get rid of COVID-19. Even the development of a vaccine won't change that reality. So unfortunately we're just going to have to live with it. Keeping schools closed at this point causes more harm than benefit.
    - Balgair 6y ago
      I still disagree. More harm is killing children. Distance learn if possible. If not, then yes, we're not going to be teaching them like we should. Killing them and their families isn't a realistic alternative. Does this situation suck? Of course. Massively so. Without other alternatives (like a vaccine or a massive reduction in cases that can allow for contact tracing) I'm not seeing how sending them to avoidable death is acceptable. Per the politicians, call them and demand change. Write in local papers about them. Do something other than giving up. It;s a lot easier to call their offices than to attend zoom funerals.

nradov 6y ago

Schools do have to reopen eventually. Education is essential for a functioning society. Distance learning and home schooling aren't adequate for the majority of primary school students. Without education, everything will eventually collapse in a manner far worse than losing 0.3% of the population to COVID-19. The reality is we have no good options so we have to pick the least bad one.

Balgair 6y ago
I still disagree. Covid-19 is particularly deadly for a flu. It may yet evolve into a more form. I also may evolve into a less deadly form. We just do not know. Still, either case is unlikely, I admit. If it became more deadly, then, well, no, we're not going back to schools until it is over. No one is going to send their kids to die. Even as deadly as it is, we're unlikely to keep schools open if an outbreak occurs within the student body. I agree that it's not good to keep the kids from learning, but keeping them and their families from dying is much more important. The key to getting kids back to school is to get rid of covid-19. Everything other plan keeps the virus going and prolongs the pain.
- nradov 6y ago
  You haven't proposed a realistic alternative. Our incompetent federal and state politicians lack the will to take the steps necessary to get rid of COVID-19. Even the development of a vaccine won't change that reality. So unfortunately we're just going to have to live with it. Keeping schools closed at this point causes more harm than benefit.
  - Balgair 6y ago
    I still disagree. More harm is killing children. Distance learn if possible. If not, then yes, we're not going to be teaching them like we should. Killing them and their families isn't a realistic alternative. Does this situation suck? Of course. Massively so. Without other alternatives (like a vaccine or a massive reduction in cases that can allow for contact tracing) I'm not seeing how sending them to avoidable death is acceptable. Per the politicians, call them and demand change. Write in local papers about them. Do something other than giving up. It;s a lot easier to call their offices than to attend zoom funerals.