Read on Twitter
Thoughts on @GovMurphy's statement yesterday.
What data from the northeastern states? NJ's data is being manipulated- it doesn't include school sports transmission, it doesn't note that most of the state's largest districts are still fully remote, and it doesn't include any testing in schools.
We know young people are often asymptomatic. We know "the mom code" is keeping kids home and not getting them tested even when they are symptomatic.
Schools are safe "when the appropriate protections are in place". What protections? How many schools have those protections in place? What happens to schools that don't have the appropriate protections? Who is inspecting schools?
No teacher would argue that remote learning is better than in-person learning, but it's safer right now. Children with special needs and children from low-income families are also likely to be more susceptible to covid-19. We need to strike a balance.
I'd love to see citations for that last sentence. If we are seeing evidence of mental health harm and detriments to students' ability to learn, how can we help them without endangering school staff?
It's easy to make a statement abt how safe schools are when you haven't spent any time in school since you were a student. Teachers want to teach in person, but we also want to be able to do that for many years. Getting Covid shouldn't be a risk we assume to go to work each day
Kudos to @njea for finally releasing a strongly worded statement in response to @GovMurphy's insensitive and inaccurate statement. https://www.njea.org/njea-response-to-governors-statement/?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=NJEA%20MainActive%20ESP%20&%20PRO&utm_campaign=NJEA%20Statement%20on%20school%20shutdown
Most of NJ is now in the high zone. The state is manipulating statistics to make it look like there is no in-school spread. Most of the schools in my area that are closed due to Covid are closed because of spread that occurred on the football, soccer, and field hockey teams.
The "appropriate protections" are not in place in many schools. Most schools have inadequate ventilation, no room to socially distance, not enough staff, and no PPE. Teachers have nowhere to turn because you can only complain to the people who are creating those conditions.
NJ should be moving to remote learning for the majority of students during the holiday season. If we do, we might be able to save the rest of the year and have in-person learning. Right now, it looks like a disaster is brewing.
My town recently decided not to move forward with their plan to bring back both cohorts 5 days per week due to the spread of Covid. I saw parents reacting by saying "Well, at least we can travel now and not worry about missing school". Seriously?!
Schools are relying on everyone doing the right thing in order to stay open. Unfortunately, too many people are doing the wrong thing. Teachers are facing increased exposure and it's not right. @GovMurphy needs to talk to actual teachers, not parents and lobbysists.
