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originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: chr0naut
These aren't laws. They are guidelines. The problem is that if you know anything about the practical realities of either children or schools, then you know most of them are unworkable as written.
So if you are writing guidelines for re-opening schools, don't you think you would aim for things that are at least realistic to implement?
For example, the idea of every child having his or her own set of school supplies, manipulatives, etc.
We are in the borderlands between relative prosperity and poverty. About 1/2 to 2/3 of the kids in our son's elementary have the means to provide their own stuff, but the rest simply don't have the means. And school funding being what it is, the school cannot provide enough for every kid to have their own either. We always bring in enough for our own and enough for two or three other kids, and simply add it to the pile every year. But that's why many schools have supply sharing.
Additionally, the idea that you are going to sit gradeschool age kids, especially boys, in their desk at 9am every morning, and keep them there until school is over at 4pm. Do away with recess and gym because you can't keep the kids from coming into contact. Normal kids will go haywire and not learn, but now think about your ADD/ADHD kids ...
originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: chr0naut
I think I'd propose a commission where the people who actually have to work with kids in schools on the ground are part of the group at the table. I think I might also consult with places where schools were either never closed or were opened and carried on during this time. Those places do exist.
Guiding Principles to Keep in Mind
The more people a student or staff member interacts with, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. The risk of COVID-19 spread increases in school settings as follows:
Lowest Risk: Students and teachers engage in virtual-only classes, activities, and events.
More Risk: Small, in-person classes, activities, and events. Groups of students stay together and with the same teacher throughout/across school days and groups do not mix. Students remain at least 6 feet apart and do not share objects (e.g., hybrid virtual and in-person class structures, or staggered/rotated scheduling to accommodate smaller class sizes).
Highest Risk: Full sized, in-person classes, activities, and events. Students are not spaced apart, share classroom materials or supplies, and mix between classes and activities.
COVID-19 is mostly spread by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. It is thought that the virus may spread to hands from a contaminated surface and then to the nose or mouth, causing infection. Therefore, personal prevention practices (such as handwashing, staying home when sick) and environmental cleaning and disinfection are important principles that are covered in this document. Fortunately, there are a number of actions school administrators can take to help lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure and spread during school sessions and activities.
Teach and reinforce use of cloth face coverings. Face coverings may be challenging for students (especially younger students) to wear in all-day settings such as school. Face coverings should be worn by staff and students (particularly older students) as feasible, and are most essential in times when physical distancing is difficult. Individuals should be frequently reminded not to touch the face covering and to wash their hands frequently. Information should be provided to staff, students, and students’ families on proper use, removal, and washing of cloth face coverings.
Note: Cloth face coverings should not be placed on:
Children younger than 2 years old
Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious
Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance
Cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected but does not have symptoms. Cloth face coverings are not surgical masks, respirators, or other medical personal protective equipment.
Some of the suggestions are minor – such as making sure the desks in every classroom is six feet apart, that kids don‘t share school supplies, and that they stay with their classmates and not mix with other classes just in case a student does come down with COVID-19, it’ll be easier to trace.
They also suggest having hallways be one way to avoid students running into each other, reducing class sizes for choir, band and PE, as well as not letting parents visit their kids at school.
originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: Gryphon66
Not really.
MO guidelines - masks for kids 2 and up
It's all in here.
Under the nice bullet points. No lies at all. These are the guidelines.
originally posted by: chr0naut
originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: chr0naut
Yes, it's entirely obvious there is nothing practical whatsoever about them.
So, because someone, somewhere, might break the law, it is all OK for us to go rioting madly now
If we don't at least try to do those things, then the virus will spread fast. If we do try to do those things, then even if things aren't perfect, at least there will be a slower spread, and to fewer individuals.
originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: Gryphon66
I am seeing the same things on my list. There are just more of them on the CDC one.
originally posted by: DanDanDat
originally posted by: chr0naut
originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: chr0naut
Yes, it's entirely obvious there is nothing practical whatsoever about them.
So, because someone, somewhere, might break the law, it is all OK for us to go rioting madly now
If we don't at least try to do those things, then the virus will spread fast. If we do try to do those things, then even if things aren't perfect, at least there will be a slower spread, and to fewer individuals.
I'd rather see the virus spreed fast.
originally posted by: chr0naut
originally posted by: DanDanDat
originally posted by: chr0naut
originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: chr0naut
Yes, it's entirely obvious there is nothing practical whatsoever about them.
So, because someone, somewhere, might break the law, it is all OK for us to go rioting madly now
If we don't at least try to do those things, then the virus will spread fast. If we do try to do those things, then even if things aren't perfect, at least there will be a slower spread, and to fewer individuals.
I'd rather see the virus spreed fast.
That is probably because you are equating it to a 'flu that doesn't leave behind scar lesions in vital organs.