The idea that kids are less likely to get COVID was blown out of the water when a number of schools in Georgia and other states with early school openings started seeing COVID transmissions on the first day of classes, causing some of them to quarantine entire classes and disrupting plans for reopening.
While it's true that kids tend to get milder symptoms, some do die from the disease. More importantly, if they become infected - even if asymptomatic - they can spread the virus to the adults in their family or to teachers and staff.
There is a way to do this properly - by following the CDC guidelines for masks and social distancing and by gradually opening schools. The photos being shared on social media are showing that this is not being done at all. Masks are optional, so most students opt not to wear them. And social distancing? Think back to when you were in school and what the hallways looked like during change of period. There are bar owners who would kill to get a crowd like that.
Israel and South Korea both learned that opening their schools too quickly was a disaster - the schools became hot spots for disease transmission. We're about to ignore those lessons and do the same thing.
We're putting the children at risk by not providing the resources needed to safely do this, and we're putting the adults they interact with at an even greater risk. What kid wants to go through life knowing that he killed Grandma?
Trump's son attends a private school with the resources to mitigate the possible dangers - something that most public schools don't have. Social distancing in a public school is almost impossible, and not requiring masks makes the situation worse. Despite all of Trump's yelling that schools MUST open completely, his son's school announced that they were going to open online - blowing a huge hole in his argument.
So if Trump thinks it's safe for schools to reopen and for students to attend school five days a week, there can only be one response:
Your family first, Mr. President.
Isn't that what leadership is about? |
