We need hard scientific evidence on spread in schools. There are many other priorities during a pandemic, but this is too important for too many kids to make decisions based on educated guesses.
Mine are able to homeschool and with the right support, this is a better situation with higher quality learning and social contact in their particular situation (disabilities which were not adequately supported in school due to lack of resources). But for many kids without even basic resources at home (and keeping in mind that the home living situation may also be problematic in poorer families), school gives these kids the education and basic social support that isn’t available for them anywhere else. Taking that away without replacement when there is no clear evidence for or against school community spread may not be the best idea. Therefore, it should be a high public health priority to get solid scientific information and then, if this evidence supports school closures, do what it takes to provide sound alternatives for education and social connection.
The types of people who would callously take bets on others’ lives are always out there. They are merely less noticeable under normal conditions, unless you are the type of person who unwittingly attracts them...ie. socially disadvantaged, disabled or otherwise unable to defend yourself against them.
We need hard scientific evidence on spread in schools. There are many other priorities during a pandemic, but this is too important for too many kids to make decisions based on educated guesses.
Mine are able to homeschool and with the right support, this is a better situation with higher quality learning and social contact in their particular situation (disabilities which were not adequately supported in school due to lack of resources). But for many kids without even basic resources at home (and keeping in mind that the home living situation may also be problematic in poorer families), school gives these kids the education and basic social support that isn’t available for them anywhere else. Taking that away without replacement when there is no clear evidence for or against school community spread may not be the best idea. Therefore, it should be a high public health priority to get solid scientific information and then, if this evidence supports school closures, do what it takes to provide sound alternatives for education and social connection.
The types of people who would callously take bets on others’ lives are always out there. They are merely less noticeable under normal conditions, unless you are the type of person who unwittingly attracts them...ie. socially disadvantaged, disabled or otherwise unable to defend yourself against them.