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Mom Asks Pediatrician About The Idea Of Kids Going To School Again, Receives A Reality Check
As the back-to-school date in the US is slowly approaching, more and more parents are seriously doubting whether to send their kids to school. With Covid-19 infections rising in 41 states and southern hotspots already undertaking crisis measures on Thursday, many feel like reopening schools physically would be hurried and plain dangerous.
So one mom and book author from Atlanta named Aesha Saeed turned to her children’s pediatrician for advice. She found the doctor’s opinion “sobering because headlines and pundits are one thing, but a doctor I’ve trusted my children’s well-being to since each were born” is another. Aesha then passed on what she learned in this 6-tweet thread that will make you seriously weigh the risks of letting your kids sit at a school desk any time soon.
RELATED:
This mom shared what her kids’ pediatrician had to say about sending kids back to school and it’s “sobering”
Image credits: aishacs
Image credits: aishacs
Image credits: aishacs
Image credits: aishacs
Image credits: aishacs
Image credits: aishacs
Image credits: aishacs
Schools are coping differently with the uncertainty of letting kids come back amid the recent surge in Covid-19 cases. Los Angeles Timesreports that in Southern California, the region’s two main districts—Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified—said they would begin the new school year with full-time distance learning. Meanwhile, Orange County voted to let students onto campus without implying security guidelines like masks or social distancing.
But the resistance from parents is mounting in places where spread of the virus is still a daily threat that comes with President Donald Trump saying that opening schools is key to firing up the economy.
Image credits: aishacs
Image credits: aishacs
Image credits: aishacs
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has just released an official report on reopening schools during the pandemic. The report says: “There is insufficient evidence with which to determine how easily children and youth contract the virus and how contagious they are once they do.”
In addition, such a knowledge gap “makes it extremely difficult for decision makers to gauge the health risks of physically opening schools.”
Parents and teachers joined in the thread to weigh in on going back to school amid the recent rise in Covid-19 cases
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What do you think ?
René Kok 5 years ago
So what if your kid gets 1 year behind, at least it is alive and the teachers too. And we still don't know the longterm effects on the longs. Here in the Netherlands we even kept our kid home 4 weeks extra after daycare/schools reopened. Luckily no spike in cases so we felt safe to send her after 4 weeks.
Lucas 5 years ago (edited)
I agree, though it will inevitably have a knock on affect on all the children coming up behind them. Who will teach those children if the teachers are still dealing with students who should have already moved on a year to other teachers and other lessons? Unless we increase the number of teachers, the number of lessons and the time spent in schooling (either home or in class) in order to catch up - which is easier said than done. It is going to be logistical nightmare. Still better than the kids getting sick.
Load More Replies...
Laugh Fan 5 years ago (edited)
Why aren't all bus drivers (not just those who transport school children) being screened in behind perspex barriers? Then no contact for payment either by correct fare only or contacless pay or pay in advance - there are things that could be done to protect them surely? Though I have to say I wouldn't send my children back either.
K.Kobayashi 5 years ago
Because it costs money to install those screens, and whoever needs to pay for it won't.
Load More Replies...
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
Who said kids don't get it? They don't die at nearly the rate of anyone over 60, or at-risk groups, but kids get Covid. Keep the kids out of school, for pity's sake! *sigh* MORTALITY risk is not the sameas GETTING IT RISK.
Rissie 5 years ago
You should hear them here in The Netherlands. Totally bat s**t. It was parents and teachers showing their worries about this "kids are fine" mentality. Don't think that the US is the only country making very counter intuitive decisions. My husband works at a local hospital (in IT not in care) and they are saddling up again for what's to come. All of the country is totally letting go of measurements. Besides face masks in public transport and faux routing in stores. Focus on cleanliness is receding, people get near to each other in stores and on the streets. We had an outbreak in a town nearby and I'm pretty sure we're in for a new wave here. And all these worries of everyone about kids are so on my mind and it's very unsettling, that's for sure.
Load More Replies...
Brandy Grote 5 years ago
Please note, the Orange County School Board voted to reopen schools, but the TEACHERS UNION is listening to sense and will not be there if the doors are open. And the janitors won't be there to open up, sooo...
Julie Peterson 5 years ago
Like the Kings of old who were on the front lines when they declared war, those on the Orange County School Board should have to be present in the schools all year long. Let's see how they vote then!
Load More Replies...
Dave 5 years ago
Only in the U.S. of Dumbfuckistan is this even a question. ESPECIALLY, since the curve is flattened in most of the world, save African countries, Brazil and of course the self-proclaimed "greatest country in the world", where amidst the pandemic, people are losing healthcare. Think about that for a moment. Honestly, the American nation has the president it deserves, because they are willfully ignorant for generations, and not only deny science, over 40% of them are aggressively against science while using all the things science brought them, which make their lives easier.
b l a n c 5 years ago
i'm very surprised at the number of people who thought doctors would say it's okay to send kids back, and who thought it would be. since the beginning of things reopening i've thought we shouldn't be so hasty about it, although overall it's been mostly fine. i still don't think we should be reopening anything that includes people being close together. teenagers especially won't follow regulations or wear masks most likely. of course some will, but hallways and classrooms aren't big enough to social distance and there are just too many kids in schools. i really don't think it's the right time to do that, we just closed everything and now we're opening up again. it's already bad enough with stores and restaurants returning, although i know it's for the economy and i'm glad we did that
b l a n c 5 years ago
also, just to clarify, i don't think all teenagers won't follow rules, i am a teenager and i follow them all the time and i know people who do. but hallways are very busy in schools, and i also know a lot of teens who won't wear masks or sanitize because they think it's stupid. and by 'too many kids in schools' i mean there's too many to have all at once during the pandemic. another thing, i'm not against reopening. i think it was very good that we did that, because it's important for peoples jobs and the economy and i understand that, i'm just saying that with the people who don't follow safety measures, it's made it harder and people have gotten sick more easily.
Load More Replies...
Blackheart 5 years ago
Schools do not even think this is a good idea or best for the students. But as they are funded by the government, their hands are tied. Your child will not be able to social distance with a full 5 day a week face to face schedule. Schools have at most, 2-3 ft. per student. Many southern governors are not requiring students to wear masks. Remember, the CDC does not recommend temp checks, so many schools will not do temp checks to get on the bus or once they arrive unless someone is not feeling well. By then it will be too late. I have taught for over 20 years, and I have never seen anything like this. This is reckless and dangerous. Teachers are being accused of being lazy and trying to get out of something, yet many have been working without pay to prepare for children to return and to make sure they get food. It is not safe, it is only as safe as we can make it under the circumstances. All of this is about the elections make no mistake, it is all political.
Courtney Christelle 5 years ago
I'm hoping my son's school will opt for online learning. I have a job but I'll step into a teacher role to keep my son safe. The myth is that home schooled fall behind or not as well adjusted as their counterparts but that's not true.
René Kok 5 years ago
So what if your kid gets 1 year behind, at least it is alive and the teachers too. And we still don't know the longterm effects on the longs. Here in the Netherlands we even kept our kid home 4 weeks extra after daycare/schools reopened. Luckily no spike in cases so we felt safe to send her after 4 weeks.
Lucas 5 years ago (edited)
I agree, though it will inevitably have a knock on affect on all the children coming up behind them. Who will teach those children if the teachers are still dealing with students who should have already moved on a year to other teachers and other lessons? Unless we increase the number of teachers, the number of lessons and the time spent in schooling (either home or in class) in order to catch up - which is easier said than done. It is going to be logistical nightmare. Still better than the kids getting sick.
Load More Replies... Laugh Fan 5 years ago (edited)
Why aren't all bus drivers (not just those who transport school children) being screened in behind perspex barriers? Then no contact for payment either by correct fare only or contacless pay or pay in advance - there are things that could be done to protect them surely? Though I have to say I wouldn't send my children back either.
K.Kobayashi 5 years ago
Because it costs money to install those screens, and whoever needs to pay for it won't.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
Who said kids don't get it? They don't die at nearly the rate of anyone over 60, or at-risk groups, but kids get Covid. Keep the kids out of school, for pity's sake! *sigh* MORTALITY risk is not the sameas GETTING IT RISK.
Rissie 5 years ago
You should hear them here in The Netherlands. Totally bat s**t. It was parents and teachers showing their worries about this "kids are fine" mentality. Don't think that the US is the only country making very counter intuitive decisions. My husband works at a local hospital (in IT not in care) and they are saddling up again for what's to come. All of the country is totally letting go of measurements. Besides face masks in public transport and faux routing in stores. Focus on cleanliness is receding, people get near to each other in stores and on the streets. We had an outbreak in a town nearby and I'm pretty sure we're in for a new wave here. And all these worries of everyone about kids are so on my mind and it's very unsettling, that's for sure.
Load More Replies... Brandy Grote 5 years ago
Please note, the Orange County School Board voted to reopen schools, but the TEACHERS UNION is listening to sense and will not be there if the doors are open. And the janitors won't be there to open up, sooo...
Julie Peterson 5 years ago
Like the Kings of old who were on the front lines when they declared war, those on the Orange County School Board should have to be present in the schools all year long. Let's see how they vote then!
Load More Replies... Dave 5 years ago
Only in the U.S. of Dumbfuckistan is this even a question. ESPECIALLY, since the curve is flattened in most of the world, save African countries, Brazil and of course the self-proclaimed "greatest country in the world", where amidst the pandemic, people are losing healthcare. Think about that for a moment. Honestly, the American nation has the president it deserves, because they are willfully ignorant for generations, and not only deny science, over 40% of them are aggressively against science while using all the things science brought them, which make their lives easier.
b l a n c 5 years ago
i'm very surprised at the number of people who thought doctors would say it's okay to send kids back, and who thought it would be. since the beginning of things reopening i've thought we shouldn't be so hasty about it, although overall it's been mostly fine. i still don't think we should be reopening anything that includes people being close together. teenagers especially won't follow regulations or wear masks most likely. of course some will, but hallways and classrooms aren't big enough to social distance and there are just too many kids in schools. i really don't think it's the right time to do that, we just closed everything and now we're opening up again. it's already bad enough with stores and restaurants returning, although i know it's for the economy and i'm glad we did that
b l a n c 5 years ago
also, just to clarify, i don't think all teenagers won't follow rules, i am a teenager and i follow them all the time and i know people who do. but hallways are very busy in schools, and i also know a lot of teens who won't wear masks or sanitize because they think it's stupid. and by 'too many kids in schools' i mean there's too many to have all at once during the pandemic. another thing, i'm not against reopening. i think it was very good that we did that, because it's important for peoples jobs and the economy and i understand that, i'm just saying that with the people who don't follow safety measures, it's made it harder and people have gotten sick more easily.
Load More Replies... Blackheart 5 years ago
Schools do not even think this is a good idea or best for the students. But as they are funded by the government, their hands are tied. Your child will not be able to social distance with a full 5 day a week face to face schedule. Schools have at most, 2-3 ft. per student. Many southern governors are not requiring students to wear masks. Remember, the CDC does not recommend temp checks, so many schools will not do temp checks to get on the bus or once they arrive unless someone is not feeling well. By then it will be too late. I have taught for over 20 years, and I have never seen anything like this. This is reckless and dangerous. Teachers are being accused of being lazy and trying to get out of something, yet many have been working without pay to prepare for children to return and to make sure they get food. It is not safe, it is only as safe as we can make it under the circumstances. All of this is about the elections make no mistake, it is all political.
Courtney Christelle 5 years ago
I'm hoping my son's school will opt for online learning. I have a job but I'll step into a teacher role to keep my son safe. The myth is that home schooled fall behind or not as well adjusted as their counterparts but that's not true.
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