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Maybe. I think the major problem is there is not a compelling childcare alternative that's ready to take over if the schools don't open. I also think it's a "

Maybe. I think the major problem is there is not a compelling childcare alternative that's ready to take over if the schools don't open. I also think it's a "tale of two cities". There's a lot of political will to reopen the schools in rural areas that haven't been as deeply impacted by the virus itself. And rightly so - the risk in rural upstate New York is much lower than in Flushing, Queens. It's probably wisest to address this at a local level.

indymike 6y ago
I'm already having friends with kids call to see if we can do co-ops where 3-4 kids go to a single home and do online school. By limiting the families, you limit exposure, and solve the child care and socialization problem at the same time.
- nathanyz 6y ago
  Yes, we are considering this exact thing as well. I think the challenge systemwide is this further divides the privileged from the lowest income earners. It adds additional cost that even when pooled with others is outside the realm of affordable for many. The only option for them will be to send kids back to school because they need to be able to work in order to feed their kids. Their choice is food/shelter vs low risk of death for children with COVID. Sucks, but we should at least understand why there is such a push to reopen schools. The divide this creates though.....who knows what the long term consequences will be
- aerostable_slug 6y ago
  A friend is doing something similar, except in person: a teacher from the private school his daughter attends/attended has entered into an agreement with some parents. His daughter will go to school with a few classmates and her teacher, doing the curriculum she was supposed to be doing, just offsite. Everyone involved has to be COVID-19 tested and they are taking as many sensible precautions as they can. I realize this isn't an option for many, but if you can get on board with a good teacher it's win-win. Note that my friend is very vigilant about not spreading the bug — he's not an antimask type at all. It seems like a great option if it's possible.
nradov 6y ago
A lot of people are now unemployed. Some of them will open small childcare centers, often operating in private homes on an informal cash basis. (I'm not claiming this is a good thing, just that it will inevitably happen.)

indymike 6y ago

I'm already having friends with kids call to see if we can do co-ops where 3-4 kids go to a single home and do online school. By limiting the families, you limit exposure, and solve the child care and socialization problem at the same time.

nathanyz 6y ago
Yes, we are considering this exact thing as well. I think the challenge systemwide is this further divides the privileged from the lowest income earners. It adds additional cost that even when pooled with others is outside the realm of affordable for many. The only option for them will be to send kids back to school because they need to be able to work in order to feed their kids. Their choice is food/shelter vs low risk of death for children with COVID. Sucks, but we should at least understand why there is such a push to reopen schools. The divide this creates though.....who knows what the long term consequences will be
aerostable_slug 6y ago
A friend is doing something similar, except in person: a teacher from the private school his daughter attends/attended has entered into an agreement with some parents. His daughter will go to school with a few classmates and her teacher, doing the curriculum she was supposed to be doing, just offsite. Everyone involved has to be COVID-19 tested and they are taking as many sensible precautions as they can. I realize this isn't an option for many, but if you can get on board with a good teacher it's win-win. Note that my friend is very vigilant about not spreading the bug — he's not an antimask type at all. It seems like a great option if it's possible.

nradov 6y ago

A lot of people are now unemployed. Some of them will open small childcare centers, often operating in private homes on an informal cash basis. (I'm not claiming this is a good thing, just that it will inevitably happen.)