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Just spent an hour talking to 25 or so parents & kids protesting delays to in-person school. They want classrooms opened now, 5 days a week. One of the signs, "We understand the risks, allow in-person school" pretty much sums up their wants. Here's some of what I learned:
Most don't trust Beshear/state covid numbers/what's reported by local media; they think real data is hidden on purpose; they feel their free will has been squashed, fewer kids die from covid means returning to school is less dangerous; masking is not effective at curbing spread
Michael Gosper w/ a "Trump: Make Liberals Cry Again" hat said, "We know the virus is real but we also know there is a risk-reward for every decision we make. What are we willing to risk to get from point A to pt B in a car knowing we can get in a wreck on the way."
Gosper said kids "don't need to be running from a virus that they will not die from on a normal basis" & "if these teachers aren't going to teach, then we don't need them."
"The virus will go away eventually. It may be years, but we gotta learn to live with it."
"The virus will go away eventually. It may be years, but we gotta learn to live with it."
Other observations: These parents truly seem to want what's best for their kids; disinformation and unbridled doubt in credible sources is RAMPANT.But many of their pts were valid: what about kids without reliable internet? What about child abuse, food insecurity,risk of suicide?
But many could not see past the "flu kills more kids than covid" argument (it does, but covid kills far more ppl, overall).
They don't think everyone should be forced to go back in person, but they should have an option.
They don't think everyone should be forced to go back in person, but they should have an option.
Lastly, a troubling comparison made as rationale for sending kids back amid covid: "At any pt our schools could be victims to a mass school shooting. Any day someone could walk in & kill our kids & our teachers. But we keep going to school because the benefits outweigh the risks"
