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A quick thread on COVID-19 in Utah public schools. We've added 2,047 cases in Utah schools in the last 7 days. This is the 2nd highest number ever (highest was the week before Thanksgiving - 2,588). Schools account for about 12% of new cases in Utah. #uted #utpol
A lot has been made about getting students back into the classroom in SLC, with #utleg, led by @BradWilsonGOP, using teachers as pawns in a bonus stipend negotiation. SLCSD agreed to return to in-person learning on the basis of teachers getting vaccinated in January...
It's great that teachers will be prioritized for vaccinations, but the reality is that students account for the largest - and a growing - share of cases in schools. The rush to get students in classrooms means we're all OK with our kids getting sick (and bringing it home).
It's also true, however, that, children are statistically less likely to get hospitalized or die from this disease. It still happens, but at much lower rates than other age groups.
So, given that we, as a state and country, and particularly our government, are unwilling to do the hard right thing - a hard 3-4 week shutdown with financial support- it makes some sense that in-person learning should be available to students that need it.
Of course, #utleg's insistence upon in-person learning was never about students. It was a political power play. The capitol has been closed to the public. Legislators are meeting virtually, and yet they chose to withhold a bonus from teachers in SLCSD who teach virtually.
Two of my kids are in Jordan School District, so I've followed JSD more closely than most. Through much of November, JSD moved 20 schools to online. New cases never really came down much, and now they're up to pre-shut-down levels. I doubt JSD will do anything about this.
Most, if not all, students are out of school for the holidays, so hopefully we'll see fewer school cases for the next bit. I also hope Utahns will limit their holiday social gatherings. With any luck, this holiday break will also be a break in the spread of COVID. #MerryChristmas 
As I was about to post this thread, I got a notification from the Trib that dovetailed nicely. https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2020/12/20/exclusive-how-covid-has/
