SDHornet wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 12:23 pm
UNI88 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 10:46 am
Schools know and take it for granted that teachers will spend their own money on classroom supplies.
The kids are young and are unlikely to have a problem argument ignores the reality that they're carriers who will pick up the virus at school and take it home to their parents, grandparents, etc. not to mention the teachers and administrators getting it and taking it home as well. The problem isn't just that students will be exposed, it's that they will spread it to others.
This is a valid point and precautions should be taken to mitigate that risk...
...however that argument can be used for any industry deemed "essential" that has been open this whole time. Grocers, cashiers, etc have been engaging with hundreds of people everyday.
And I'm fine with schools not reopening, but there should be a furlough to all educational employees to account for the difference between "in person" learning and "distance' learning.
There is a difference in exposure - grocers, cashiers, etc. are exposed to a number of people for brief periods of time. Many stores also put up plexiglass shields between the cashier and the customer. A classroom would have an average of 20-30 people in a confined space for a longer period of time. I'm not sure if plexiglass could be used. Could the school require students with health conditions that prevented them from wearing a mask to homeschool? I'm not an expert and don't know if the risks of exposure/spread are comparable.
Ideally there would be some in-person instruction because I don't think education was quite the same being solely online but I'm guessing they don't reopen. Online education should require a significant enough effort from teachers so that they should be paid. Office staff, janitorial, food service, etc. would not be needed to the same degree and many could be furloughed. Principals and other administrators should randomly audit classes to make sure that teachers are doing more than just giving it out assignments (i.e. lectures, group projects, online quizzes, etc.).