Local Jewish day schools went against the grain and opened in person while public schools stayed remote. None to date have become super-spreaders. How did they do it?
Public school teachers are dedicated, but it's not reasonable for them to have the risk their lives and well-being, and that of their family members, for the sake of their jobs. Also, many people live in crowded conditions in multigenerational housing. A family of 5, including an elder, might live in a 2- bedroom apartment. I have known of 2 parents and 3 children (two single moms who were cousins, and their children) living in a 1-bedroom apartment. This is very common, given the escalation of rent prices. The maps on the King County COVID-19 data website show that the incidence of the virus has been very severe in South King County and other areas with more housing density. About 44% of households in King County are renting.
I'm glad it seems to have worked safely here, and glad your article points out both the careful planning and the extra expense it's required. I do wonder if the new, more infectious variants of the virus will change these calculations.
One quibble--perhaps more than a quibble: you do recognize to some extent the difference between a Jewish day school system supported so thoughtfully and generously by Samis and others and the underfunded public school system. But I don't think you realize the scale of difference. Public school class loads are generally so high that it would be physically impossible to return to full in-person school without added space and personnel. That's even more true at middle and high school. So we see more blended programming, not ideal but helpful. And please remember that unions work for their members-- if they are an "annoyance " it's because what is proposed isn't, in this case, safe for unvaccinated adults. As one of your interviewees said, there was good reason for teachers to worry. In addition, plans were made pre-vaccine and when we knew a lot less about the virus and its dangers to various populations than we do now.
With more unknowns to come, I hope we will proceed with caution, valuing teachers in reality and not just in theory.
So glad the kids are in school. Agree there are risks, but rewards are far greater. Nicely done article.
Public school teachers are dedicated, but it's not reasonable for them to have the risk their lives and well-being, and that of their family members, for the sake of their jobs. Also, many people live in crowded conditions in multigenerational housing. A family of 5, including an elder, might live in a 2- bedroom apartment. I have known of 2 parents and 3 children (two single moms who were cousins, and their children) living in a 1-bedroom apartment. This is very common, given the escalation of rent prices. The maps on the King County COVID-19 data website show that the incidence of the virus has been very severe in South King County and other areas with more housing density. About 44% of households in King County are renting.
I'm glad it seems to have worked safely here, and glad your article points out both the careful planning and the extra expense it's required. I do wonder if the new, more infectious variants of the virus will change these calculations.
One quibble--perhaps more than a quibble: you do recognize to some extent the difference between a Jewish day school system supported so thoughtfully and generously by Samis and others and the underfunded public school system. But I don't think you realize the scale of difference. Public school class loads are generally so high that it would be physically impossible to return to full in-person school without added space and personnel. That's even more true at middle and high school. So we see more blended programming, not ideal but helpful. And please remember that unions work for their members-- if they are an "annoyance " it's because what is proposed isn't, in this case, safe for unvaccinated adults. As one of your interviewees said, there was good reason for teachers to worry. In addition, plans were made pre-vaccine and when we knew a lot less about the virus and its dangers to various populations than we do now.
With more unknowns to come, I hope we will proceed with caution, valuing teachers in reality and not just in theory.
I'm pretty sure "Emily's Proposed School Ranking" applies to both Emilys!