NYC parents organized a petition to keep schools open – and to raise the threshold for closure from its current arbitrarily-low 3%.

I’ve signed it, and hope like-minded New Yorkers will join me.

@karol @ZacBissonnette @NYC_essentialSW @kristinbrooklyn https://www.change.org/p/mayor-bill-de-blasio-and-the-doe-keep-nyc-schools-open
Sign the Petition

Keep NYC Schools Open

https://www.change.org/p/mayor-bill-de-blasio-and-the-doe-keep-nyc-schools-open
This thread highlights school systems that have successfully opened or reopened at rates well above the 3% threshold.

3% has no basis in expert opinion or evidence. It is lower than the rate that experts were recommending in the summer. It is simply a concession to unions. https://twitter.com/karenvaites/status/1326482044956897281
The reopening of NYC schools has been a success, and all data suggests that COVID is not spreading in our schools. In fact, random testing has shown remarkably low rates of positivity in schools. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/19/nyregion/schools-coronavirus.html
Surprising Results in Initial Virus Testing in N.Y.C. Schools

The absence of outbreaks, if it holds, suggests that the city’s efforts to return children to classrooms could serve as an influential model for the nation.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/19/nyregion/schools-coronavirus.html
A large body of evidence shows that schools are not fueling COVID thread.

NYC should act accordingly.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/health/coronavirus-schools-children.html
Spain, UT
https://www.npr.org/2020/10/21/925794511/were-the-risks-of-reopening-schools-exaggerated
US
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/school-districts-reopening-coronavirus/2020/10/19/3791c952-0ffb-11eb-8074-0e943a91bf08_story.html
US
https://www.wsj.com/articles/more-schools-are-reopening-as-covid-19-cases-rise-nationwide-11603114570
CA
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/California-sees-no-link-from-school-openings-to-15626000.php
FL
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2020/09/28/florida-schools-reopened-en-mass-feared-covid-surge-hasnt-followed/3557417001/
Schoolchildren Seem Unlikely to Fuel Coronavirus Surges, Scientists Say

Researchers once feared that school reopenings might spread the virus through communities. But so far there is little evidence that it’s happening.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/health/coronavirus-schools-children.html
Unfortunately, our leaders are not following that evidence.

They closed “red zone” schools... then reversed themselves... then kept schools closed... all signs of lack of actual strategy driving the decisions.

They aren’t showing dedication to doing right by NYC’s kids. https://twitter.com/agzimmerman/status/1322267085670633475
NYTimes editorial board calls for indoor dining restrictions, saying:

“Ending in-person instruction right now would be a mistake, given the evidence of how little the virus has spread there so far and the devastating consequences that would follow...” https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/opinion/coronavirus-nyc-indoor-dining.html
Opinion | New York City Must Hit Pause on Indoor Dining

City and state officials, with an eye toward keeping schools open, should not wait to impose additional lifesaving restrictions.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/opinion/coronavirus-nyc-indoor-dining.html
They cite DeBlasio ignoring his own thresholds for restricting restaurants, which are believed to drive spread, yet standing by low, arbitrary threshold for schools – which are not driving spread.

This is irrational.

& I believe the arbitrary threshold itself needs attention.
It’s time to ask hard questions about why NYC’s arbitrary calls that affect children’s access to education.

Evidence is piling up to show that remote learning is compromising children’s education – especially for vulnerable early readers.

🧵:

https://twitter.com/karenvaites/status/1326778159652614145?s=21
Leading health experts say that your bars should be *closed* – of necessity – before you think about closing schools.

NYC needs to act on all of the evidence that has emerged since it set the 3% threshold, including this guidance. https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2020/11/03/schools-need-to-be-bolder-about-reopening.html
'Schools Need to Be Bolder' About Reopening, Public Health Expert Says

Fear is driving too many schools to be overly cautious about providing in-person learning, says Dr. Ashish K. Jha.

https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2020/11/03/schools-need-to-be-bolder-about-reopening.html
NYC has already taken action to protect its most medically-vulnerable educators.

24% of NYC teachers and 10% of principals are working remotely based on medical exemptions.

Now it’s time to take action for our kids. https://twitter.com/karenvaites/status/1326172121786101761
Parents & children aren’t unionized, and in NYC, that means we are overlooked.

I hope that the inevitable parent outcry over the closures will remind DeBlasio that kids matter to New Yorkers.

Thank you for signing and sharing the petition. https://www.change.org/p/mayor-bill-de-blasio-and-the-doe-keep-nyc-schools-open
Sign the Petition

Keep NYC Schools Open

https://www.change.org/p/mayor-bill-de-blasio-and-the-doe-keep-nyc-schools-open
You can follow @karenvaites.
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