K-12 Schools & COVID

[The Lens]

Have we seen any cases come from schools?

We're mid-way through Week 8 and so far, so good.  I feel like if you mask kids up, this can be done pretty safely.  What am I missing?

[Skatastrophy]

Have we seen any cases come from schools?

We're mid-way through Week 8 and so far, so good.  I feel like if you mask kids up, this can be done pretty safely.  What am I missing?

lol

[injuryBug]

Have we seen any cases come from schools?

We're mid-way through Week 8 and so far, so good.  I feel like if you mask kids up, this can be done pretty safely.  What am I missing?

I agree in the district for my kids which has about 1500 k-12 we have a single case here and there but no outbreaks due to the contact tracing being done.  Most of the cases are coming from the parents that are not being responsible. 

[tower912]

A number of larger school districts around here have had to go virtual due to several cases.  Grand Rapids Public has never gone to in person learning and is staying virtual until at least January.

Catholic schools in the area have done ok so far.   We received an e-letter from the superintendent warning that winter sports and all extracurriculars are in jeopardy.

[pacearrow02]

lol

https://www.npr.org/2020/10/21/925794511/were-the-risks-of-reopening-schools-exaggerated

Follow the data skat.  I don't think anyone is suggesting there is zero risk with face to face schooling but data has been suggesting there isn't an increased risk then normal public exposure.  Our district has had a few cases but nothing crazy.

[GooooMarquette]

Agree that this has not been the disaster it might have been. Still, there have been school outbreaks. News on them is scattered, and often found on community news sites.

COVID outbreaks in Michigan schools rise 25 percent in a week

https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/covid-outbreaks-michigan-schools-rise-25-percent-week

Nearly 500 COVID-19 Cases Linked To IL Schools: See Where

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/nearly-500-covid-19-cases-linked-il-schools-see-where

COVID-19 school outbreaks rise across Maricopa County; Chandler USD reports 9 cases districtwide

https://communityimpact.com/phoenix/chandler/education/2020/10/20/covid-19-school-outbreaks-rise-across-maricopa-county-chandler-usd-reports-9-cases-districtwide/

[The Sultan]

I think the issue with K-12, versus higher education, is that the entire K-12 student body is sent home every night.  To households with parents, siblings and others who may have gone out into the community as well.

Higher education students by and large live in their own "quasi-bubble."  It's not perfect by any stretch because those students interact with the community in numerous ways, but not sending everyone home to a multitude of households helps tremendously.

So I can see a reasoning for schools to "go virtual" when community spread is high.

[Skatastrophy]

https://www.npr.org/2020/10/21/925794511/were-the-risks-of-reopening-schools-exaggerated

Follow the data skat.  I don't think anyone is suggesting there is zero risk with face to face schooling but data has been suggesting there isn't an increased risk then normal public exposure.  Our district has had a few cases but nothing crazy.

He asked, "have we seen any cases from schools." Not many, or a lot. Any.

That's funny.

[MU82]

Private school a couple miles from me had to shut down because of a huge cluster of cases involving students, teachers and staff.

Public schools in the Charlotte area have not returned to in-person schooling. About to very soon, starting with K-5 at first, then expanding to middle school, then to high school, if all goes well.

I hope it does! Kids need in-person school if the health situation allows it.

[rocky_warrior]

I hope it does! Kids need in-person school if the health situation allows it.

I'm still not certain who needs it more, kids, or parents that are counting on school as daycare.  Either way, there certainly is a lot of incentive to keep schools going.

[Marquette Fan]

I think the issue with K-12, versus higher education, is that the entire K-12 student body is sent home every night.  To households with parents, siblings and others who may have gone out into the community as well.

Higher education students by and large live in their own "quasi-bubble."  It's not perfect by any stretch because those students interact with the community in numerous ways, but not sending everyone home to a multitude of households helps tremendously.

So I can see a reasoning for schools to "go virtual" when community spread is high.

Our District has no metrics in place and I fear they won't go all virtual when needed. 

[MU82]

I'm still not certain who needs it more, kids, or parents that are counting on school as daycare.  Either way, there certainly is a lot of incentive to keep schools going.

Good point. Both need it. But it has to be done right.

[pacearrow02]

https://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/1129136

[The Lens]

lol

LOL what?  Our school just finished week 8 of 100% face to face and we've had zero cases.  ZERO.  And we're in Wisconsin which is on fire right now.

Two nights ago in a field report from Milwaukee, NBC's Gabe Gutierrez talked about how spread is coming much more from multi household gatherings than from schools or restaurants. 

You won't find me in a bar or gathering in a friends home but I do think its ridiculous that schools are not in session.  Wear a mask, keep distance, limit room switching, temp check each morning, stay home with greater precaution than normal.   

[Pakuni]

LOL what?  Our school just finished week 8 of 100% face to face and we've had zero cases.  ZERO.  And we're in Wisconsin which is on fire right now.

My kids (students) and wife (teacher) have all had in-person classes interrupted because of multiple positive cases among students and staff. Three different schools, in different towns. All the schools did masks, distancing, etc.
My only point here is that your experience isn't proof that in-person school is safe, any more than my experience is proof that schools are super-spreaders. Anecdote isn't data.

[The Lens]

My kids (students) and wife (teacher) have all had in-person classes interrupted because of multiple positive cases among students and staff. Three different schools, in different towns. All the schools did masks, distancing, etc.
My only point here is that your experience isn't proof that in-person school is safe, any more than my experience is proof that schools are super-spreaders. Anecdote isn't data.

Do you think the school was the cause of the spread or that people there were found to be positive.  With hundreds of households, youth sports, etc kids and teachers can be exposed in a million different ways, the question is will it spread at school?  I acknowledge my opinion is very much based on anecdotal evidence but it seems schools settings don't act as spreaders. 

[Pakuni]

Do you think the school was the cause of the spread or that people there were found to be positive.  With hundreds of households, youth sports, etc kids and teachers can be exposed in a million different ways, the question is will it spread at school?  I acknowledge my opinion is very much based on anecdotal evidence but it seems schools settings don't act as spreaders.

At my wife's school, it's believed the spread took place within the building.

[pacearrow02]

Do you think the school was the cause of the spread or that people there were found to be positive.  With hundreds of households, youth sports, etc kids and teachers can be exposed in a million different ways, the question is will it spread at school?  I acknowledge my opinion is very much based on anecdotal evidence but it seems schools settings don't act as spreaders.

We are all speaking to our own anecdotal experiences of course.  Good thing there are large studies that have been completed and the data is becoming crystal clear.  Schools are equally safe and pose no greater risk then just the general risk of living during a damn pandemic.

Until there is a vaccine and in turn with time herd immunity there is little we can do other then to mask up and ride out the storm.

[pacearrow02]

We know so much about the virus at this point and who is most vulnerable to it.  If someone finds themself on the end of scale being most vulnerable then take the necessary precautions to do your best to protect yourself.

If you find yourself on the other end of the scale, well be a decent human being and limit the risk and exposure but it's ok to go on living life.  Unfortunately that's the reality of the situation. 

If Biden wins he won't do a thing different then what the trump administration is doing other then a mask mandate which will not have a lick of impact on the course of this pandemic.

[Pakuni]

If Biden wins he won't do a thing different then what the trump administration is doing other then a mask mandate which will not have a lick of impact on the course of this pandemic.

1. False
2. Masks don't work?

[Big Papi]

We are all speaking to our own anecdotal experiences of course.  Good thing there are large studies that have been completed and the data is becoming crystal clear.  Schools are equally safe and pose no greater risk then just the general risk of living during a damn pandemic.

Until there is a vaccine and in turn with time herd immunity there is little we can do other then to mask up and ride out the storm.

Multiple studies are now coming out with the conclusion that schools are not causing super spreader events.  Especially younger ages.

Yes schools are closing here and there when they identify multiple positive tests.  That is a good thing.  And once under control, they go back at it.

So far so good for 2 of my 3 kids with school.  Still going strong with no issues.  The third is all virtual, my youngest in 3rd grade, so can't say much there other than he is participating in other events and physically socializing with other children since summer so that social growth is still taking place. 

[Uncle Rico]

We know so much about the virus at this point and who is most vulnerable to it.  If someone finds themself on the end of scale being most vulnerable then take the necessary precautions to do your best to protect yourself.

If you find yourself on the other end of the scale, well be a decent human being and limit the risk and exposure but it's ok to go on living life.  Unfortunately that's the reality of the situation. 

If Biden wins he won't do a thing different then what the trump administration is doing other then a mask mandate which will not have a lick of impact on the course of this pandemic.

He won't host rallies where obese and unhealthy people are unmasked yelling "lock her up" with spit flying out their mouths, so that'll make a difference

[ZiggysFryBoy]

https://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/1129136

This is huge for kids.  Unless you like in dane Co, then too bad, so sad.

[GooooMarquette]

If Biden wins he won't do a thing different then what the trump administration is doing other then a mask mandate which will not have a lick of impact on the course of this pandemic.

Science disagrees.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02801-8

https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/06/417906/still-confused-about-masks-heres-science-behind-how-face-masks-prevent

https://www.umms.org/coronavirus/what-to-know/masks/wearing-mask

It would have been ideal for masks to be mandated long ago, but a mandate would still help considerably. The latest IHME estimates project that under current laws the US will have 389,087 deaths by 2/1/2021; if masks were universally mandated now, the number goes down to 314,773.

https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america?view=total-deaths&tab=trendhttps://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america?view=total-deaths&tab=trend

I think saving over 74,000 lives would qualify as more than a 'lick of impact.'

[pacearrow02]

Science disagrees.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02801-8

https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/06/417906/still-confused-about-masks-heres-science-behind-how-face-masks-prevent

https://www.umms.org/coronavirus/what-to-know/masks/wearing-mask

It would have been ideal for masks to be mandated long ago, but a mandate would still help considerably. The latest IHME estimates project that under current laws the US will have 389,087 deaths by 2/1/2021; if masks were universally mandated now, the number goes down to 314,773.

https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america?view=total-deaths&tab=trendhttps://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america?view=total-deaths&tab=trend

I think saving over 74,000 lives would qualify as more than a 'lick of impact.'

No you're absolutely right about masked making a difference.  I should have explained better that a federal mask mandate won't age a lick of difference.  I believe 80-85% of Americans are very good at wearing masks.  The other 15% won't wear one no matter what state or federal mandate is in place.