Medical Discussion of Coronavirus

[CordMcNally]

So are the teachers back to saying they're essential now?

[HikingDO]

So are the teachers back to saying they're essential now?

They are or they’re not when it fits their narrative.

[billy]

I agreed with some of my former teaching peers that NYC public schools were not fit for going back full time in class. I will be the first to disagree with them if they think they should be vaccinated first. Hospital/healthcare workers, nursing home staff and members, and immunocompromised/high risk population should be first in line. Then other essential workers. Then those who decided they werent essential. Of course the argument can be that if all the teachers got the vaccine, they would then be able to teach in person, but that does nothing to protect the spread among kids-->bringing it home to their families, which is/was the fear.

[Tim]

They are or they’re not when it fits their narrative.

I have zero problem with individual teachers making a case. Some are in categories that they have taken risks and deserve a little boost in priority.

Where I have a problem is a blanket boost top tier priority because they pay dues, because that is what some “call a benefit”. Misuse of collective bargaining.

[G]

They are or they’re not when it fits their narrative.

Well, the local teachers union just released a statement that it would be "disrespectful" to the teachers if we cancel spring break. You know, cancel spring break so that maybe the kids can spend a couple extra days in school? (Right now--best case--we're looking at roughly 50 days in-person.)

This would be the same union complaining about the budget allocation (teacher positions) that is linked primarily to in-person enrollment.

The irony.

[CordMcNally]

Well, the local teachers union just released a statement that it would be "disrespectful" to the teachers if we cancel spring break. You know, cancel spring break so that maybe the kids can spend a couple extra days in school? (Right now--best case--we're looking at roughly 50 days in-person.)

This would be the same union complaining about the budget allocation (teacher positions) that is linked primarily to in-person enrollment.

The irony.

I think they'd get some more respect or people would at least understand them a bit more if they came out and said they were a teacher's union so they put the teachers first. Instead, they say everything they do is with the student in mind but their actions aren't consistent with that.

[HikingDO]

I think they'd get some more respect or people would at least understand them a bit more if they came out and said they were a teacher's union so they put the teachers first. Instead, they say everything they do is with the student in mind but their actions aren't consistent with that.

Exactly. I’d have infinitely more respect for them if they were just honest and came out and said “we’re afraid for our health, and we don’t want to go into work and be around a bunch of little germ factories, irregardless of how this effects their education or mental health. Oh, and we want to be paid a full salary too for staying home and pretending to do crappy online teaching”, rather than repeating the line that’s it’s all for the kids.

[G]

I think they'd get some more respect or people would at least understand them a bit more if they came out and said they were a teacher's union so they put the teachers first. Instead, they say everything they do is with the student in mind but their actions aren't consistent with that.

this statement is pretty clear it isn't about the students. in addition to the disrespect, "The union also said that some educators may have already booked trips and could face penalties for canceling or may not be able to cancel reservations and so wouldn't be able to work."

you just can't make this up.

the local union's behavior throughout the pandemic has been atrocious, but I suspect--just as the incumbent usually gets elected back to Congress every year--nothing will change.

[Tim]

Virginia teachers union wants in person classes shut down.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/loudounnow.com/2020/11/16/northern-virginia-teachers-push-to-shut-down-in-person-classes/amp/

No mention of something like 85% increase with kids struggling.
No mention of what’s best for students.

[billy]

Dont know if this was posted before, but research modeling that wearing masks work. Obviously n95>surgical masks>cloth>bandanas. Interestingly they mentioned some types of clothing also has electrostatic forces to filter particles. Ill admit I got lost in some of the details. https://aip.scitation.org/doi/full/10.1063/5.0029767

[Shant]

I would have thought teachers who are teaching in person would be fairly high priority simply because it involves mixing with a lot of people for prolonged periods. And that getting those who aren't teaching in person vaccinated and back teaching in the classroom would be a high priority for children's mental health and education as well as to facilitate the general economy.

[SLC OB]

Well, the local teachers union just released a statement that it would be "disrespectful" to the teachers if we cancel spring break. You know, cancel spring break so that maybe the kids can spend a couple extra days in school? (Right now--best case--we're looking at roughly 50 days in-person.)

This would be the same union complaining about the budget allocation (teacher positions) that is linked primarily to in-person enrollment.

The irony.

Wow thats crazy! A few years back my kids attended ONE day of school in January due to a VERY heavy snow fall in January. The school/teachers opted to work through 3 days of their spring break, kids could do independent study or attend the 3 days of the week (mon-wed) so that it would not extend school into summer. As it was, the governor had to give the schools a 5 day waiver and we still had to go to school past June 20th. That seemed like goo teamwork and planning. Too bad your district is doing this...

[Peds]

greatest fear is another blow to the trust of vaccines

https://www.wired.com/story/the-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-data-isnt-up-to-snuff/

[Tim]

France seems to be declaring a battle victory.

Just a question, and publicity certainly would not help, mental health issues.
Holidays are known for good times. Unfortunately, evidently the “stress” causes spikes in mental health issues.
Supposedly family violence goes up (noted alcohol sales halted in some localities for Thanksgiving).
But CDC says no impact on suicides.
“CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reports that the suicide rate is, in fact, the lowest in December.”

A lot of potential stresses out there for December.
Evidently California has said no evidence exists that outside dining reduces the spread of Covid.
$1b covid unemployment benefits to inmates?
Lockdown or restrictions in flux.

Just another December. Maybe we have been so screwed up and didn’t know it.

Happy holidays!

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/11/25/938738191/france-loosens-covid-19-restrictions-but-bars-restaurants-will-remain-shut

[G]

Wow thats crazy! A few years back my kids attended ONE day of school in January due to a VERY heavy snow fall in January. The school/teachers opted to work through 3 days of their spring break, kids could do independent study or attend the 3 days of the week (mon-wed) so that it would not extend school into summer. As it was, the governor had to give the schools a 5 day waiver and we still had to go to school past June 20th. That seemed like goo teamwork and planning. Too bad your district is doing this...

Current plan: Elementary schools staying open, middle/high schools closed. The thought is that keeping the bigger kids home will allow more resources for contact tracing and testing. I find the idea of contact tracing ludicrous because we are at >16% positivity...in my mind that means that everybody has it!

Still on for a TWO week spring break. Can't disrespect the teachers, especially those that have made travel plans (?!).

I say we should vaccinate the teachers before anyone else. Primarily because I want to be entertained when the teachers' union says it is still not fair/safe/whatever for the teachers to teach.

SLC, I believe I know the January that you mention--I was in Australia for most of the month, the load of grief that I got about being gone was...unparalleled.