Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

LWolf

(46,179 posts)
15. I disagree.
Sun Jan 9, 2022, 06:52 PM
Jan 2022

Qualifying for a vaccination doesn't mean that one gets one, student/minor or adult. That alone means that, without a vaccine mandate for school attendance, students and staff are at risk.

The regular school day is a super-spreader event. After decades of underfunding education, there is no way to keep students 3 feet apart in a classroom, let alone 6 feet. Masks are also not enforced; we say, in most states at least, that they are mandated, but what do we do when students pull the mask down? We politely request that they pull it back up. No matter how many times a day, how many times in 10 minutes, that happens. There are no consequences for chronic mask problems.

So...just in my school, we have 800 middle school students. Every classroom is overcrowded. There are 4 student restrooms. One cafeteria. They are middle school students. I'd like to see ANY of you maintain masks, social distance, and sanitizing with those numbers. There is no extra staff to police halls etc. during passing periods, and while teachers are in those hallways, there aren't enough to make a significant difference.

Two students in my 4th period class reported positive Covid tests Friday, and another 5 just from that one class have been quarantined. Contact tracing efforts will identify more students from their other classes, but not the people they interact with outside the classroom.

What the President, what the Education Secretary, what most governors WON'T say is that we are in school, not for the mental health of students, not for the education of students, but because the U.S. education system is defacto daycare for the workers; if we don't keep schools open, too many parents don't go back to work. It's not because our schools are reasonably safe from Covid that they want schools open; they aren't. It's because Covid numbers resulting from exposure at school are acceptable in order to keep the labor force working.

I guess the losses are acceptable, too. We lost a teacher two weeks ago who leaves behind a spouse and two elementary school children.

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Jan 2022 #1
Totally disagree with this policy. Unless it's coupled Laura PourMeADrink Jan 2022 #2
Roger that. I can't see putting this statement out. It won't look good when schools start shutting brewens Jan 2022 #6
They should but many in OK can't. Their unvaccinated staff is out sick. Runningdawg Jan 2022 #3
Happened Around Here ProfessorGAC Jan 2022 #5
Dead kids don't learn nothing. AND 3Hotdogs Jan 2022 #4
Bullshit leftstreet Jan 2022 #7
So you are accusing Biden and his administration of 'victim blaming' now? Curious take. Celerity Jan 2022 #9
Jeff Zients said it. Whoever he is leftstreet Jan 2022 #12
Jeff Zients is the Head White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator. Biden said the same thing. Celerity Jan 2022 #14
Sounds like a fed vs state issue for Biden leftstreet Jan 2022 #16
So you are no longer accusing Biden and his administration of 'victim blaming'? Celerity Jan 2022 #18
No. It's happening leftstreet Jan 2022 #19
Don't try and turn it on them. They spoke at length & they, Biden included, are all on the same page Celerity Jan 2022 #24
Oh, okay n/t leftstreet Jan 2022 #25
Locally there were some major HVAC upgrades done at the schools. Klaralven Jan 2022 #21
Reality and math doesn't seem to jive with these people. JanMichael Jan 2022 #8
Our great-grandson is in the 9th grade. marie999 Jan 2022 #10
I support the Chicago teachers Union! Until these kids get vaccinated Emile Jan 2022 #11
They're basing their decision on convenience and political willpower rather than science Poiuyt Jan 2022 #13
I disagree. LWolf Jan 2022 #15
+1 Emile Jan 2022 #17
+1 leftstreet Jan 2022 #20
Teachers are essential workers providing an essential public service Klaralven Jan 2022 #22
Kow-towing to the corporations and CEO's liberalmuse Jan 2022 #23
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»"The President couldn't b...»Reply #15