PLEASE SEE THE CDC GUIDANCE HERE.
Erica Green of the New York Times writes today that the federal government has finally offered directions for schools faced with the global pandemic:
WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised schools on Friday that closings for at least eight weeks might be the most effective way to contain the coronavirus. The Education Department released school districts from a slew of testing and accountability measures required by federal law.
But schools across the country were far ahead of the Trump administration’s advice. A cascade of public school closings gained speed nationwide on Friday, with the largest school district in California, the Los Angeles Unified School District, announcing it was closing, along with the San Diego Unified School District. They joined other large cities like Washington, Miami and Seattle, and more than a dozen states like Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Oregon, New Mexico and Michigan.
At least 21,000 schools have been closed or are scheduled to close, according to Education Week, affecting at least 15 million students. A majority of closings announced by school districts range from two to six weeks, which the C.D.C. considered “short- to medium-term closures” that would “not impact” the huge wave of infections that are expected in the next few weeks.
Danny Carlson, the associate executive director of policy and advocacy for the National Association of Elementary School Principals, called the timing of the C.D.C. guidance “baffling.”
“Where was this a week ago?” he said.
The C.D.C. conceded that long-term closings could significantly affect academic outcomes for students, economic conditions for struggling families and health conditions for grandparents who care for students.
And while it had data that could help decide when to close schools, the C.D.C. said it did not have data on the right time to reopen them.
On Thursday, the Education Department announced that it would relieve school systems of some of their responsibilities under federal law. It will consider one-year waivers for state-administered tests or requirements that districts test 95 percent of their students. It would also allow waivers for certain measures of a school’s effectiveness ratings, such as chronic absenteeism, as required under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
The department also said schools were not obligated to provide special education while classes were canceled for all students, but they must resume services when they reopen or if they shift classes online.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
NYC teachers are scared for our health compromised students, their families, ourselves, and our families. Since many of us can’t afford to purchase homes in the city, our children’s schools are closing. Who will watch our children? Where was de Blasio when he was providing affordable home ownership opportunities for city workers? Oh, he wasn’t. It’s time to end mayoral control. One person shouldn’t have the authority to determine who gets sick and who doesn’t. Where is Cuomo in this? I forgot – he hates teachers and their families. And by the way, Success Charters closed.
Our governor in MN is a former high school teacher and he refuses to close the schools while banning gatherings of more than 250 and practice social distancing. Impossible in a school at any age. There isn’t room to put six feet in-between each child. Kids may fare better with the illness but they come home and infect their caregivers.
What good is the 6 ‘ rule when a sneeze or cough can spread the germs 10’, maybe 20 feet ?
How about making it mandatory to wear the right kind of masks all the time? If everyone had one of those masks covering the nose and mouth, then there will be no sneeze, cough, breath droplets flying through the air to reach our eyes or breathe in.
Then all we have to do is wash our hands a hundred times a day and never touch our faces.
Anyone caught out in public without a mask, the penalty should be costly in some way. If the culprit cannot afford to pay a fine, they can pick up a ton of trash alongside roads.
Who will watch your children? You will, you’re the parent and it’s your responsibility
Please see the correction
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
Her point was that as a teacher, she is unable to stay home and care for her kids, because she’s being required to show up and teach and supervise other people’s children! Read the whole comment.
Please read correction, which was next post.
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
Exactly what I was thinking. People need to grow up and own their responsibilities. Don’t have a child if you can’t properly care for it. It’s not the Government’s job to care for YOU or YOUR child.
No need to be a douche!! Some parents have to work to make sure these children are okay and have what they need. You may possibly get a check or welfare or even be a trust fund baby. I am not my children depend on me in all ways of life! Including finacially.
Our best hope is that this is contained with minimal illnesses and death. And in the process state governments, cities, and communities find ways to feed children who depend on schools, provide health care and medications without worries of insurance, a moratorium on evictions and other measures.
Our best hope is the CDC, scientists, doctors, and researchers are coordinated and communicating in spite of WH interference. That they can speak up and out without worries about whistle blower censorship (which is what delayed this in China) and the whistle blower died) and losing their jobs. And, that the WH and those in their mara laga economic bubble (and don’t know how much a loaf of bread costs) get out the way and let the experts do their jobs and inform.
Our best hope is that government leaders when they are fixated on the economy – ok, necessarily – ALSO remember small business owners and minimum wage employees. That they wake up and realize there are millions of jobs and daily employees who will be out of work because of sports, entertainment, hotels, transportation, restaurants shut downs. That they realize, too, America-only vs. global cooperation benefits all.
Danny Carlson says it perfectly: “Where was this a week ago?” he said.
When the President of the United States can’t get a scripted teleprompter speech factually accurate and adds vicious alienating adjectives, we’ve got bigger problems than the past 3 years.
The outrageous delays of information and the misinformation of the WH and feds is egregious and inexcusable.
And, by the way, to the gop loyalists and talk show hucksters, no, we are not hoping for a disastrous situation so we can blame the president. That’s his m.o.
We hope all the efforts of non-profit, agencies, religious communities, teachers, public services, local governments, state governments, researchers and others – that all their collective efforts minimize this and there are minimal deaths. And, yes, then we’ll make the point loud and clear that it worked in spite of the keystone cops WH leadership.
Fortunately, there are some GOP governors and county and city leaders, ignoring politics, who ARE listening to experts, acting decisively, and leading for all, not just some. (as opposed to our congressional gop rep who chimed in on press conference to talk only about testing kits being sent and that this is… wait for it… “low risk.”
If schools are closed ,the good news is there are unions, superintendents, school boards and others coordinating (and rising above any differences where it exists) and finding ways to educate online and use public tv for the millions without internet, and setting up schools as food centers and more – and paying staff (yes, the taxpayers WILL understand).
If schools are staying open (with understandable concerns) hopefully they are taking extreme measures to clean, allowing adults who are sick and compromised to stay home without worry, coordinating coverage* and using in-school technology so teachers who need to be home can , showing appreciation to teachers and others as they maintain school and havens for kids – safely — (and if not, they should be).
As the bumper sticker says, “If you read this – and are making it through this crisis as best as can be – thank a teacher.. and aides principals, bus drivers, secretaries, custodians and more custodians….” (and thank a scientist and doctor and hospital employee and… and….)
Wonderful comment.
I also hope the mega-planners remember the millions of workers in below-minimum wage jobs who will be or already are out of work and have no paid sick leave.
Beautifully said, Wait, What!!
“Where was this a week ago?”
It’s been clear what is about to happen for weeks now. Our response has been and continues to be ostrich-like.
Bravo!
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
A bumper sticker says all that? Is it in 4pt font?
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
I echo your very thoughtfully written words.
I’m thinking that some adults do not adapt to change even at the best of times. Perhaps we could imagine that the same struggle holds true for our learners or even worse because their minds are still developing, particularly with the silent trauma that they could experience because of the mass hysteria around them. Not to mention the sudden change in the structure of their day etc. With these and so many other variables, the governing bodies of education worldwide ought to adjust the desired outcomes for all learners and educators for this academic year.
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
Typical democrat. Taking every opportunity they can, even using an article that has nothing to do with politics, in order to spread lies about a republican president who has done more for this country in 4 yrs then the last 5 presidents’ combined administrations. You said blaming others for natural crisis is trump’s m.o.? No, its been the democrats m.o. for the last 3 years. Even going as far as impeachment and failing. Why? Because thats how dems spend tax payer dollars. And in spite of all the lies and cover-ups, we still have a better economy than we did 4 years ago. I bet youre also a sanctuary city supporter as well. I know! Let’s open the borders, give every illegal a free cell phone and playstation, set them up on government assisted programs, and let them vote. Forget the 500,000 US Homeless Veterans, or the youth on the streets and lets spend our taxes on impeding the president at every turn and support illegal immigrants.
We don’t get too many MAGA people posting here. Come back and read some more.
It is obvious to me that Jake is getting his news from Faux News or someone like Limbaugh or Hannity or even maybe a faux news site like Breitbart.
500k homeless vets? Wrong. Not even close.
“According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there were 40,056 homeless veterans living in the U.S. in a single night in January 2017, which was a little more than nine percent of all homeless adults.”
https://www.metro.us/news/homeless-veterans-in-united-states-map
“About 11% of the adult homeless population are veterans. Roughly 45% of all homeless veterans are African American or Hispanic, despite only accounting for 10.4% and 3.4% of the U.S. veteran population, respectively. Homeless veterans are younger on average than the total veteran population.”
http://nchv.org/index.php/news/media/background_and_statistics
As for Jake’s other claimes, wrong on all counts. All Jack**s BS from a basic lack of logical thinking.
For instance, the claim that the economy is better.
Unemployment: In November 2009, it reached 9.2%.
In November 2016, it was down to 4.3%
February 2020, 3.2%
The day Trump took office in January 2017, unemployment was 4.5%
In almost four years, unemployment improved by 1.3%
After Obama’s first four years, unemployment was down to 7.7%, an improvement of 1.5%. By the time he left office, it had improved 4.7%.
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LNS14000024
In addition, presidents, no matter who they are have little to do with employment and unemployment. The factors that cause unemployment are outside of a president’s powers to control.
Trump is the most incompetent president in history and that is what the texts will say a century from now. Trump is also responsible for the first trillion-dollar deficit in history.
And Trump’s tax cuts are going to turn out to be a disaster for the working class in 2025.
“The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made significant changes to individual income taxes and the estate tax. Almost all these provisions expire after 2025, while most business provisions are permanent.” …
“Sunsets
A notable feature of the individual tax and the estate tax provisions is that all of them expire after 2025, except the reduction of the ACA penalty tax, the change in inflation indexing, and several changes in the tax base for business income. Some provisions expire sooner (for example the increased deductibility of medical expenses applies only to tax years 2017 and 2018). In contrast, many of the business tax provisions do not sunset. Congress chose to make the individual provisions temporary to limit the revenue cost of the TCJA to a level consistent with the overall constraint on the 10-year revenue loss in the Congressional Budget Resolution and to comply with Senate budget rules under the process used to pass the tax act that require no increase in the federal budget deficit after the tenth year.”
https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/how-did-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-change-personal-taxes
What a SUPERLATIVE president we have. He only knew, or should have known that this kind of pandemic was very likely to occur here. Too, previously he defunded or got rid of the unit that was put in place by Obama [that horrible person] to fight a pandemic when the Ebola virus raised its ugly head.some years agi,
What is not too like about such enlightened leadership.
I have friends who stand by this personage. He is working on it ad nauseum.
No need to argue. They already have all the answers.
Ya. magahatters be like, yay
Trump proposed those Obama era funding. He didn’t think the CDC was ever doing anything.
Proposed is the key word. He got no where with it. The house voted against it. CDC is like FEMA they rake in the money and are useless when we really need them. Presidents cant baby sit everyone.
(oops – stream of writing too fast in my response) – Supposed to be: “global cooperation vs./ instead of America-only” benefits all)
Wasn’t it Obama’s regulations pertaining to the labs that could do testing that had to be rescinded in order to expand the number of testing facilities?
No. The global pandemic team was thrown out in 2018. Obama was not president then.
Why eight weeks? The latency period is 14 days. 8 weeks seems disproportional, not to mention extremely burdensome for parents. Also, call me paranoid, but I worry that this is a foot in the door for e-learning. We do it for 8 weeks, then, look, voila, why not do it that way forever? It’s definitely safer, right? This very forum has spent years arguing against e-learning. I think we need to be careful allowing this crisis to be used as a vehicle for slipping it in the back door.
I think the current 2-3 week break in effect in many states is more than effective. Anyone symptomatic after that should obviously continue to stay home, but life can’t grind to a halt for such a long time. Like all flu, COVID-19 is not airborne, only particle borne. Proper handwashing and surface disinfecting (and being of conscious of touching your face) should go a long way toward decreasing the likelihood of any further spread after this period.
Home schooling presumes that at least one parent is home. It also presumes that the parent is better qualified to educate the child than a building of trained and certified teachers.
And presumes with online learning, that kids have a computer at home and internet access( many poor students in Buffalo do not)
Homeschooling presumes neither of these things. I know many people in my homeschooling community who do so while both parents have full-time jobs. I also know many former public educators who now homeschool their own children and say that the majority of the education they received to be school teachers had primarily to do with classroom management, handling behavior and learning disabilities and recording and tracking data.
At home educating does not mean that the parent is creating the content. The teachers still create the lessons, the children log into the school website, like canvas or another one, and access the lesson for each class and do the assignments online and submit them. The parents don’t have anything to do with what is being taught, they just have to make sure their kids get the work done.
“8 weeks seems disproportional, not to mention extremely burdensome for parents.”
Would you please stop with this stuff, Dienne? It is this very downplaying of the crisis that you have indulged in from the beginning that is going to cost millions of American lives. Enough.
In this crisis, the major thing we have to fear is lack of fear of it, and the necessary actions resulting from that fear.
It’s not going to cost “millions” of American lives. Basic math. Of the cruise ship who were uniformly exposed to the virus, about 700 out of 3700 people were infected – about 18%. Of those, 8 died – about 1% of those infected. Worst case scenario, if every single American were exposed to the virus, we would expect about 60 million infections. 1% of 60 million is 600,000. And that’s WORST CASE SCENARIO.
The fact is that not all Americans are going to be exposed, so there will be far fewer infections. And now that steps are being taken, there will be even fewer infections. The disease is spread through particle contamination ONLY. If you wash your hands and disinfect surfaces, that will eliminate the vast majority of the risk. And now that a lot of schools and businesses are closing, that will even further reduce the risk.
As I said, though, the incubation period is only 14 days. It would be senseless to grind the world to a halt for much longer than that. Yes, yes, all loss of life is tragic and we should take steps to minimize that as much as possible. But life has to go on for the living. We cannot live in fear for weeks at a time.
Yesterday, The New York Times reported that according to CDC models, between 160 million and 214 million American could be infected over the course of this epidemic, between 2.4 and 21 million could require hospitalization, and between 200,000 and 1.7 million could die.
Dienne77, no one knows how many people will die from COVID-19. No one knows enough about this virus to presume anything.
For instance, several people in China that were infected, hospitalized and recovered are back in the hospital infected again and the experts do not know why yet.
“Coronavirus: Are there two strains and is one more deadly?” – March 5, 2020
“Two strains of the new coronavirus are spreading around the world, according to an analysis of 103 cases. But the World Health Organization insists that “there is no evidence that the virus has been changing”. So how many strains are there, and why does it matter?
“Viruses are always mutating, especially RNA viruses like this one, coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. When a person is infected with the coronavirus, it replicates in their respiratory tract. Every time it does, around half a dozen genetic mutations occur, says Ian Jones at the University of Reading, UK.
“When Xiaolu Tang at Peking University in Beijing and colleagues studied the viral genome taken from 103 cases, they found common mutations at two locations on the genome. The team identified two types of the virus based on differences in the genome at these two regions: 72 were considered to be the “L-type” and 29 were classed “S-type”. …
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2236544-coronavirus-are-there-two-strains-and-is-one-more-deadly/
Dienne,
The world is grinding to a halt.
We’ve already seen that the NYT is not exactly a reliable source for reporting the CDC recommendations, as the CDC is not, in fact recommending eight weeks of school closure as the NYT reported.
As for the CDC, they’re the ones saying the incubation period is maximum of 14 days. It’s been far more than 14 days since the cruise ship people were exposed, so we know that about 700 of them got infected – again, 18%. In order to see 1.7 million Americans die of COVID-19, the infection rate would have to be a lot higher than 18%. Why would the CDC models be so far off from the actual reality that we already know?
Where did you get the 18 percent number?
This has not just been spreading because of the cruise ship. The fact is that we don’t know how many cases we have because of the unavailability of tests. Just read a report that as of today there are 70 confirmed cases in Florida. Four deaths.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/health/coronavirus-asymptomatic-spread/index.html
Let’s go with “concern” and “well thought out preparedness”. Not ” fear”. Fear will get you hasty irrational actions not thought about 1st that could end in choas and the opposite of unity which is what we need!
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
You may want to read more information, this is passed airborne. Even when a person is non symptomatic.
No one has immunity. 100% can and likely will get this virus. Only some of us will die from it.
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
Yes, it is! Thank you! Im not sure where Dienne is getting information from, but the information that Dienne is stating is not correct.
Are you an expert in viral illnesses? I tend to suspect not. You can put your faith in lysol, but for those of us in touch with reality, extreme measures seem the only way to mitigate the short and long term impact of this disease. Be well.
You are correct….my thoughts exactly!
Have you read about Italy? Taiwan? I think longer than 2 weeks makes sense – likely 4-6 weeks….8 weeks seems long – but we are dealing with something never before seen.
Can you post where the CDC or WHO says it is not airborne?
They aren’t sure if it will linger in the air but doubt this. However, it can easily be passed person to person, within six feet of one another, by a cough or sneeze. And, of course, all people expel particulate just talking, as any actor who has worked under light, well knows, and the more excitedly they do, the more there is.
English is a wet language. Lot’s of spittle (little drops) fly from our mouths when we talk.
You are the only one on here that I have read that has any common sense. You also refrained from the popular sport of attacking the current administration,as of course he is doing it all wrong. Last I checked, despite the ridiculous panic by so many people, we are better off than the majority of the world.
Why, that’s just what our beloved leader just said. And I trust EVERYTHING he says, since it comes directly from God to Trump to the people.
Have you been in a classroom with sick kids? Your average high schooler may cough into their elbow when you are watching, but trust me, more times than not, they are coughing and sneezing into the abyss of desks, tables, chairs, lockers, laptops, students and teachers. On the front line.
Last year a 3rd grade student sneezed across from me and it landed on my cheek. Front line indeed
Kids touch everything. They don’t practice hygiene. They will get in your face and tell you about the terrible cold they have. Kids will be kids. In this situation, very, very dangerous. That’s why the European countries have almost all closed all of their schools. But hey, let’s just wait until everyone has this. {He shakes his head and sighs.]
kids also share food and drinks without much thought
That means they are sharing each other slobber with every sip and bite
I’ve seen them share combs and brushes, too.
You nailed it, Denise Marie!
“Burdensome to the parents” seriously. You had the child(ren) so after 5yrs the burden isn’t your responsibility it’s the school districts right! Seriously what about the burden to the health of our educators and their families you try to lessen your burden 180 days of the year!!!
Amen!
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
School is not daycare. When you decided to have children you took on the responsibility. The adults who work with children have families of their own. Teachers are not babysitters. Make arrangements for your child and stop expecting the education system to take care of your responsibility.
Particles, Dienne, are also in every sneeze and cough that our students blow directly into teachers’ nostrils, not just on surfaces and hands. Also, the lack of test kits means that asymptomatic, as well as symptomatic people, cannot be tested in a timely manner, especially in rural areas.
I believe the incubation period has been found to be beyond 14 days, which further necessitates the need for decreased contact of all kinds. I am a devoted Special Ed teacher in my late 60’s, but I will not be going back to school.
Why eight weeks? Because it is estimated that we are 11 days behind Italy and they are 25 days away from anticipated peak, that puts us 36 days forward, or nearly 5 weeks, and that is only the peak. As numbers start going down, there will still be a lot of transmission, only difference is that it will be slightly less than the day before. The number of people exposed at 5 weeks might not show symptoms until up to 2 weeks later, which brings us to 7 weeks until they get sick. That is why the eight week closing of schools. I work in schools, they are like a petri dish of germs. Kids don’t wash hands well, cough or sneeze openly, pick their noses & wipe them on surfaces, etc., not to mention what close proximity they are with each other during the entire day. I am an agency hire, so I am paid hourly and have no idea how I will get by financially, but even knowing my financial stressors during this, I agree that an eight week closing of schools is most appropriate. The length of time can be shortened or lengthened according to date collected and analyzed by scientists and statisticians
The story in the Times was overstated. I have posted the correction innumerable times.
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
At the end of the day, cleaning my classroom, the chairs and desks were absolutely slick with the accumulated sweat and grime from kids pawing them all day. Kids are handy. They touch everything. They hang onto things. They take chewing gum out of their mouths and put it on the desktop. Putting up with this is part of the job. In the current situation, it’s not. It’s dangerous to everyone. We need to follow Europe’s lead and close schools NOW, all of them, and for at least eight weeks. Doing otherwise will vastly increase the potential for overwhelming our limited healthcare facilities.
And, of course, we need government action to help parents who cannot work because of childcare. A moratorium on evictions, for example.
This was not the smartest statement to make, really. It would have been more sensible to say “three weeks then re-evaluate.” Eight weeks flat-out could cause more panic.
The CDC recommendations are actually much more nuanced than portrayed in the NYT article and are closely related to local conditions. The actual recommendations are very easy to read in this document directly from the CDC:
Click to access considerations-for-school-closure.pdf
Here are the revised “March 12, 2020” recommendations from the CDC. We should learn NOT to depend on secondary and dated sources. I think we also need to look at the exact plans from district and state officials. Assume also that these recommendations may change.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-schools.html
Thanks for the link to the original article!
Six feet. That’s further than you think from that other person.
People can be carriers of this before they show any symptoms.
The only ways to “flatten the curve” are to avoid contact with other people and not to touch surfaces that others have recently touched. The virus can survive on cardboard for 24 hours and on plastic (that card reader machine) for 3 to 4 DAYS. It can survive in the air for 3 to 4 HOURS. Wash vigorously with soap after touching anything that others have touched.
I urge my friends and family to limit contact with others to essential situations.
Waiting until there is confirmed community outbreak is stupid policy.
We need for all schools to close now.
An e-mail arrived yesterday letting the community where I live know our public schools will be closed starting Monday, March 16, and will be closed until further notice. There were details about setting up virtual classrooms and providing sites where they will still feed breakfast and lunch to children that live in poverty.
Meanwhile, Trump administration has announced that feeding the poor is a waste of time and it achieves nothing. Trump wants to cut those programs to the elderly and our children.
Wow you should really apply for a spot with the media. These days the news/media simply makes statements without any backup or explanation and the willing masses don’t think twice.
If you did not notice, Todd, I am not a media outlet. I left a comment and yes, the school district in my community sent out an e-mail through Nextdoor Neighbor letting us know the schools were being closed starting Monday, March 16.
As for Trump wanting to cut food from children and older people living in poverty, why don’t you Google that topic as I did and find the sources and links?
I’ll start the search and here was the first link of more than six-million that Google spit out:
No, Feeding Hungry Kids and Seniors Isn’t a Waste of Money
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/03/trump-budget-school-meals-on-wheels/
Lloyd and all,
Apparently my post that cited the New York Times’ headline saying that the CDC wanted schools to close for eight weeks brought a slew of new commenters to the blog. Some were MAGA-natics. Some were angry. None saw the follow up post saying that the Times headline was wrong and that the CDC guidance was nuanced.
I was offline for a few hours and returned to find 50 comments in moderation, all from people who have never been here before. The first post must have been reposted elsewhere, but not the correction.
I think you are right.
https://www.kitv.com/story/41895983/federal-judge-blocks-trump-rule-that-could-have-cut-food-stamps-for-nearly-700000-people-amid-coronavirus
Link please to what you posted.
The public school district in my community posted that announcement through the local Nextdoor Neighbor network. It came in a e-mail and not from a newspaper or magazine piece.
This is the common occurrence, where the USA gives significantly more than everyone else to a fund, and as soon as we say that we want to pull back, people freak and say that we want poor people to starve. Out of all countries we give over one third of the total amount!!?! The articles from Newsweek etc talk about how necessary it is, how horrible Trump is for pulling out, YET, if it was so important why does America give so much more than the rest? Are we the only nation that is required to give the most in EVERY fund like this, while other countries shirk their fair share?
I’m sure that other countries will rise to the occasion. It is about time.
They want to close school for 8 weeks. It’s insane
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
Some of the research has indicated that a person can infect others for up to 5 weeks following symptoms subsiding. 3 weeks may prove to be far too little time if that is the case.
https://nypost.com/2020/03/12/coronavirus-can-survive-5-weeks-in-body-after-infection-study/
Remember Katrina? I’m concerned the coronavirus is an opportunity to move further toward online education. Best way to poorly educate the masses.
Danny Carlson, you are over the national association of principles, how does that make him an expert? If he has expertise to lend the CDC, maybe he should apply, probably would make more money??
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
It’s not the presidents job To close the schools. It is being left up to the local state government
The president has the most important pulpit in the nation. He could call for schools to do this, and they would follow. And I suspect that under emergency powers, he could probably require that they close.
Please leave a link to the CDC message about 8 week closures.
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
NV schools remain open. Clark County SD is the 5th largest district in the nation. There are over 3K kids in my HS. Algebra classes of over 35. Sniffling, sneezing, coughing. But we stay open.
Reblogged this on The Most Revolutionary Act and commented:
At least 21,000 schools have been closed or are scheduled to close, according to Education Week, affecting at least 15 million students.
See correction
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
Online classes? Just a thought..
The public school district in the community where I live sent out an e-mail that said they were setting up online classes.
This is VERY misleading! https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-schools.html
See this:
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
Frankly, I think people are reacting from fear, not science, and the desire to DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING — panic!!
We do NOT know if closing schools is actually helpful in mitigating the course of the epidemic. From the CDC: “In other countries, those places who closed school (e.g., Hong Kong) have not had more success in reducing spread than those that did not.”
On the other hands, we DO know what happens when children miss school for any length of time — beyond the obvious great disruption to the lives of people who can’t afford to have their children not in school, there is learning loss for children who can ill afford it. And the most vulnerable children suffer the most.
Another point to consider — where do you think children will go if they can’t go to school and their parents can’t stay at home? Most likely to some neighbor’s house, where many children will be packed in, with untrained adults not mitigating spread at all.
This is NUTS!!
Schools have now closed throughout Europe.
Unreal, even in the face of a pandemic all people want to do is bitch and moan about politics. We all deserve what is happening to us.
Jersey city closed for 1 week and will access after that but we have two confirmed cases and I think should be closed at least 3 weeks just as a precaution. Since incubation period. Is 12 or more days. My Opinion. Thank you for All you do.
Diane Ravitch!
Please speak to what is happening in NYC! We are the largest school district in the country and are still open despite pleas of parents, teachers and administrators; still without proper cleaning or directives about how to employ social distancing practices; still the business as usual!
See post tomorrow at 9 am.
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/please-close-schools-immediately-to-protect-the-health-of-our-students-and-their-families/
This is total BS my kid needs to go to school. And finish on time. My God this is all so stupid
If the U.S. had a nuclear war with Russia and we lost 100 million people would you still expect the schools to stay open so your kid could finish on time?
Because during a pandemic it is really all about YOUR kid. Gotcha.
Please see correction
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
Are your serious?? I am a Nurse and this virus is not going to b e anything nice! Let me educate you a little bit! Children can actually have the virus, have not symptoms and can spread it to others. This is not a virus that just goes away. This virus has two strains, like the flu. People can get one strain and then get better and then contract the other strain. This is not about your child finishing school on time! This is about attempting to prevent illness and possible fatalities from a virus that is spread very easily and due to it being a virus that has not been seen before, the precautions that are being taken are for the best interest of you, your family and your community! This virus is predicted to infect over 9 million people, they are predicting over 480,000 fatalities and it is predicted to be 10-15 times worse than the flu at the peak of flu season. They are not being implementing all of this to inconvenience people or just so your child cannot finish school on time! Your child can still finish school on time with online learning that most of the schools are implementing for this! This is not all stupid!
What if someone you know just got back from Mexico and are in bed with lung pain high fever over 102 dry cough and feeling worse than they ever had before with any flu.?
What if they don’t want to go to Drs and or report there symptoms??
What if people from that same flight who are NOT symptomatic at this time are out and about in public.
What’s a person to do with this knowledge???
About two and a half weeks ago, neighbors with whom I commonly interact returned from an overseas trip. All were very sick with what they called “the flu.” After speaking with the young man in that family, I got sick for a few days. Feeling fine now. Wondering, now, what, exactly, we all had.
You are asking a very, very good question.
It is the right of the patient to seek treatment or to be assessed by a healthcare professional. Possibly educating the person you know on how serious this can effect them and others around them could help to lead them into the direction to seek medical attention. Im not sure if EMS would be able to steer the person who is sick to seek attention either.
If someone is not symptomatic and it has not been reported that there is person who is sick from the same flight, there is no way to inform other flight passengers.
Where in the C.D.C. article does it say schools need to be closed for 8 weeks?
The CDC guidance does not recommend closing schools for 8 weeks. I took that from The NY Times headline. I also posted a correction.
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
M A,
See correction Timon.
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
Dienne77
The statistics in Italy this morning were:
infected: 17,750
dead: 1,441
recovered: 1,966
TOTAL 21,157
That’s an almost 7% fatality rate.
80% of these cases are in the Lombardy region (Milan)
I’m sure these numbers have increased by end of day.
🥵😳😢
We don’t close schools based upon anything other than stopping the spread of the virus and saving lives. People are going to have to adapt. The government and lenders are going to have to adapt. The rest is noise and banging one’s head against walls. Viruses do not give a f.
Exactly, Gregg!
I think this would be a good time to do, this for our children. I hope parents keep them at home.
Screw you for blaming this PRESIDENT TRUMP!
Will daycares be open? A lot of people work and need daycare while they work
Ok, so what about people’s bills? That’s gonna be put on hold like everything else? I highly doubt it. A hospital stay with or without insurance is going to cost money, that will be paid how when people are out of work? Some people have savings, others live paycheck to paycheck, but money is still an issue.
I agree that downplaying the threat of this pandemic is likely to exacerbate the toll it takes on this country and the world. So I believe the CDC recommendation for an extended school closing is important to protect public health. But more than one thing can be true at a time… so I want to support skepticism of transitioning education to online and private entities. Some companies are/ will use this opportunity to co-opt on ground & public education. As will our lobbyists and policymakers. We may not have the bandwith to worry about that relative to a pandemic, but it is not naive to make such an observation.
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
I’m sure glad that the oil businesses and others are being bailed out while this is occurring. Feel much better.
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
Some one better get their act together! Putting your educators and children at risk is just plain idiotic. I am sure all the worries about learning and “testing” can and will be worked out. This will take community efforts. A lady from Michigan. Mary Lund
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
Is this true?
No, the CDC did not recommend closing schools for 8 weeks.
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
No, it is not true.
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
are they talking about closing all schools thru the usa
Please see correction
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
Well here in Ohio the Governor has canceled all classes effective 3/12 resuming no earlier than 4/6 and has canceled all gatherings bringing 100 or more people together casinos included. We shall see what happens from then on.
Please see the correction
https://dianeravitch.net/2020/03/14/correction-this-is-what-the-cdc-recommends-for-schools-during-this-time-of-crisis/
8 weeks no check…now that’s going to hurt
I think bennington vermont and pownal vt schools should be closed as well svsu
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30566-3/fulltext
Quotation from that study:
Median duration of viral shedding was 20·0 days (IQR 17·0–24·0) in survivors, but SARS-CoV-2 was detectable until death in non-survivors. The longest observed duration of viral shedding in survivors was 37 days . . . Prolonged viral shedding provides the rationale for a strategy of isolation of infected patients and optimal antiviral interventions in the future.
If the schools are open, there will be kids who go to school sick. Do our schools currently check the temperature of every kid entering? How long will the kid be spreading this before he or she shows symptoms? How long after the kid shows symptoms before someone notices these? How long after that until the kid is no longer there?
There is a reason why the countries of Europe have closed their schools.
Exactly!
Of course we should all follow their lead! With people crapping on sidewalks….everyone is scared but we will get thru this California has major problems with its leadership and needs to CLEAN UP THEIR ACT.
Americans are sick and tired of assholes attacking our President, we the American people
I’d love to see all this turn the economy around so that a family could once again live on one income!!!
Better safe than sorry. I believe it is necessary to close all schools country wide to try and stop this virus. It will be a major hardship for many but what is the alternative? It’s time to help each other out like they used to a century ago. Let’s pull together and be creative. Good luck all and be safe.
So why don’t we close the USA for business and shut down the whole damn country
It’s happening.
Good time to change the way we educate in a public system not focused on economic development and empowerment!
I wish the CDC WOULD TALKTO NYC AND LONG ISLAND GOVERNMENT and tell them to close all schools and non essential businesses a lock down is in order here to get this nipped in the bud. We don’t want to end up like China italy or any of the others.
So now you say this is inaccurate… pretty sad. Maybe you should rewrite a blog since you are adding to this chaos and media feed frenzy
Erica Green, the author of the NY Times article, stands by the accuracy of her article.
Why couldn’t assignments and instructed education continue online?
They will.
NOT INACCURATE, but rather not complete. Yes – CDC did say longer closings would have a greater impact. But it goes on to say for those areas with known cases. It also alludes to the fact that if kids stay home but parents fail to keep them congregating that that would then mitigate the staying home. They asl noted that self-isolation and avoiding gatherings of 10 or more would be best. This goes back to support the initial stance of closing for 8 weeks since the average US class size is around 28 students plus 2-5 teachers and aids.
For some reason, we need to read between the lines in order to be properly informed. Like washing hands, sanitizer and disinfectant. That is, they are all listed a guideline but all say in the proverbial “small print” that the effectiveness of these on this virus are simply NOT KNOWN.
Closing schools, telling folks to work from home, cancelling events, none of this makes sense. People are not staying home, they are gathering in other areas. This all would only make sense if everyone was staying home.
And can people please stop the panic buying!? Normal essential household items are now out of stock and families who need regular stock for their families cannot get what they need because many are overreacting and hoarding items that don’t really need. We are causing our own issues now.
Why complain about the CDC timing on school closings when New York doesn’t close their schools. Everyone who has ever had children knows well that kids catch colds, etc at school and then bring it home. I realize those who never complained about the governnent’s lack of action during the Swine Flu devastation with 18k deaths are the first to complain now and then say “It’s not political”. Drop your political nonsense and just support good common sense.
Italy …
https://www.dailykos.com/story/2020/3/14/1927440/-Coronavirus-A-Letter-from-Italy
Is this the Dept of Education at the federal level? Or what specific state DOE? I teach high school in Georgia, and I’m panicking about my students EOC scores counting against me.
This is NOT the Department of Education or a state DOE.
This is a blog produced and written by Diane Ravitch, the author of Slaying Goliath.
Who am I: I follow Diane’s blog along with hundreds of thousands of others.
I was a public school teacher in California for thirty years 1975-2005.
For more information about Diane Ravitch, click the following link:
https://www.amazon.com/Diane-Ravitch/e/B001ILMA4E%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
Where was all of this a week ago? Well, a few weeks ago, our cretinous President was saying that by the end of the week, the number of cases in the US would be down to five.