Welp – It appears that we are about to use parts of the state as giant petri dishes, in an experiment to see if doing in-person instruction is dangerous or not.
Evidence from other states would indicate that it poses risks, at the very least. And, there is also the worry that even if a child is asymptomatic, we don’t know what the long-term effects of the virus are. (Keep in mind that there are other viruses that live in the body for years before causing problems.)
The biggest problem I have with schools starting in-person classes right now is not the risk to the children and their families, although that is a big worry. Remember that those parents and their children have a choice about attending, especially in a school system doing some sort of hybrid model.
No, my main concern is for the teachers and staff, who do NOT have a choice. They either come to the school in-person, or they lose their job. And if a child shows up who has the virus, and the teacher or staff member gets it – well, sucks to be you.
As I said in a tweet yesterday, this decision just shows what your superintendent and school board really think of you.
Let us hope that there aren’t massive outbreaks. Let us hope people don’t get sick. Let us hope there aren’t unnecessary deaths.
But at this point, that’s all the teachers and staff have – hope. I don’t think that’s enough.