bgr3 said:
Packchem91 said:
bgr3 said:
Packchem91 said:
bgr3 said:
Packchem91 said:
Some of that absolutely may be hype, scare tactics, sensationalistic news, etc....but I think these school boards probably (rightly or wrongly) feel an extra layer of responsibility about "all the kids and staff" than you or I may for our individual kids.
So another layer of uncertainty....mixed messaging on the impact on young kids, but certainly an unvaccinated group. No school board wants to be responsible for some major news event...so, wham.
Yup. Spineless, liability lawyer "leadership", cowering to the loudest voices of the sensationalist mob. Who cares if it actually helps kids safety and development as long as it keeps us from having a hit piece written?
If you thought we were going to go into the school year without another round of extortion from teachers' unions I feel sorry for you.
Do you attribute teacher's unions pressure is the reason for ARK Governor Hutchison's change in view on this? Or that he was looking at real data from his medical advisors in the state where they've seen a huge uptick?
I assume your scenario plays a role. But I also think, again, its a lot easier to go risk-averse on a decision on behalf of thousands of kids than it is for yourself.
It is easy to go risk-averse if you just ignore every risk in the world other than those posed by COVID. If you ignore the risk of learning loss it's easy to go risk averse. If you ignore the risks of increasing isolation/depression/suicide among the youth it's easy to go risk averse. If you ignore the risks of increasing the sedentary lifestyles of youth because their sports and gyms are closed its easy to go risk averse. If you ignore the higher risk children have of dying in a car wreck on the way to school then of getting COVID and dying at school its easy to go risk averse.
But hey, at least when teenagers kill themselves at home the school administrators aren't going to get blamed for it. You are right about the big thing though, that kind of shortsighted policy making is a lot easier. And it is NOT about the children.
So your thoughts on why ARK is trying to undo its decision on the mask mandate to allow schools to mask?
All those other factors you reference are VERY real, for sure. Sports and gyms are open now, though, aren't they? I've seen kids out playing on fields all summer....though I guess your point is if they get reclosed.
I'd like to think most of the decision makers are applying reasonable logic to include considerations for the things you reference. But human behavior is ALWAYS going to favor the current flavor-of-the-day, and have a bigger influence on decision-making than the long-term impacts. Its almost always that way
i mean....there are medical boards saying "for unvaccinated kids the best way to avoid Covid is to wear a mask and social distance since they can't be vaccinated", but then parents freaking out because a school board -- applying that medical guidance -- says schools have to wear a mask.
I have no thoughts on what is going on in Arkansas because I don't live in Arkansas and know very little about it. I don't base how I look at issues based upon what politicians do, because what they do is based upon covering their own ass, setting themselves up for reelection if they are eligible and absolutely nothing else.
"I'd like to think most of the decision makers are applying reasonable logic to include considerations for the things you reference." I have absolutely zero confidence that is the case. My evidence? The last year and a half in which we have pretended that COVID is the only risk in the world that exists.
Look, I am not per se for or against any of the policies being enacted. What I am against, and have zero patience for at this point is people proporting to do risk assessment when they are instead engaging in risk avoidance and pretending that COVID is the only risk that exists. And if you attempt to introduce other, very real risks, you are attacked for "not caring" about COVID AND WANTING PEOPLE TO DIE!!!. It was a BS tactic to shut down discussion a year ago, and it is even moreso now. You seem nuanced in this discussion which I appreciate but when you attribute good faith to people using those tactics you are aiding, whittingly or not, in the dumbing down of policy discussion.
So I too base my most knowledge on local --- I live in a county which is VERY dominated by GOP. It was the first local board to announce maskless schools.....but then stood by in full agreement 2 weeks in when Union Academy, a year-round school, had a covid outbreak and had 100 kids have to be quarantined after 14 or so got sick.
We can all debate how sick those kids were, or if the 100 were really "AT RISK", but I struggle to fault a board with changing strategies when that happens. I can assure you it was not due to Cooper or to a union.
Same with ARK...I don't "know" either...but when a sitting governor has a bunch of cases blow up, hospitals being overwhelmed AND a higher % of kids being infected than a year ago.....that gives them REAL reasons to consider altering approach.
So who do you think school boards should rely to make these decisions on behalf of thousands of kids?
ETA: To be clear....schools should be open. I'd hope even masking could be reduced once Delta burns out -- as that is projected to be much quicker than the first round?
I agree with the risks of development and mental health issues you referenced otherwise.....those are real and scary, for sure.