What a Year for Students at Home?

 

Photo: EdSource

Students around the United States (and possibly the World) are suffering from the stay-at-home orders resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. There are a variety of consequences, from requiring students to not return to school.  Young students may not have child care during the day.  Does a  parent go to work or stay at home with the child?  Does either parent have a choice?  What other factors are at play?

Here is an excerpt from 'Politico Nightly' yesterday highlighting some difficulties with returning to school and the consequences of having students stay at home:

Nearly a year after school districts have shut down around the country the downsides of remote learning are also becoming clear: An entire generation of students is experiencing what amounts to a lost year. Students are struggling with anxiety, depression and isolation. They are falling behind in coursework. They are missing out on important social services like meals and counseling and the watchful eye of teachers trained to spot abuse or neglect.

Study after study, most recently one from the CDC, has shown that the classroom isn’t a major cause of Covid spread. That is, as long as mitigating measures like mask wearing, ventilation, hand-washing and social distancing are in place. Communities with reopened schools don’t have higher rates of Covid than those with shuttered schools. Usually Covid cases seen in schools are the result of gatherings, sporting events and other group activities outside of the classroom.

The level of Covid in schools mirrors community spread, which is dramatically falling in much of the country but could surge again because of new variants. And new research shows that teachers in open schools have higher Covid rates, although it’s unclear whether they are getting Covid from the classroom or if the higher numbers were the result of more testing.

What is your view on the matter?  Leave a comment in the section below.  These considerations are important to remember when forming an opinion on the subject.  The COVID-19 pandemic is not a 'binary' situation.  More often is the pandemic a complex and dynamic situation with many variables at play.  Lawmakers and their scientific counterparts have a difficult job to perform to keep the nation safe.

 Some of the safety and welfare of the citizens of the nation falls on each of us.  Public shaming is critical.  And not in a wrong way.  No one needs to be mean.  No one knows what his/her fellow human is going through at the moment.  But a simple nudge to wear a mask or take safety measures seriously can go along way.

Similarly, if you or anyone else is experiencing depression or heightened anxiety due to the pandemic, please seek help.  There are resources available - both in-person and by telephone.  No one needs to go through this difficult time alone.  Keep an eye out for your fellow human to make sure that they are doing fine.  Stay safe.  Stay healthy.  Stay tuned.