Yard Signs

Can we finally insist those teachers whose yards bear the signs "Home of a Hero!" or "A Hero Lives Here!" remove them?  For many of them, I think "A Proud Teacher Lives Here!" should be removed.  How "proud" can one be of running from the very minuscule chances of catching the Corona Virus, an even much smaller chance of dying from it?   I won't argue that, say, grocery store workers are "heroes" or not.  But if stocking the food shelves, running a cash register, etc. constitutes being a "hero" in the face of CoVid, how do we then classify equally as "heroes" teachers who are refusing or at least resisting returning to face-to-face classes in a few weeks?  They are using their unions to fight normal returns.  It sure gives pause to the oft-repeated, "We're here for the kids," doesn't it?

I don't remember where I saw the photograph of the Los Angeles teacher who was urging the school district not to open schools.  She carried a sign that read, "I Can't Teach If I'm Dead."  No doubt she and her teacher friends thought this a profound statement.  She was, to those other teachers, a modern-day Kant or Heidegger, very deep.  Ha Ha Ha.  "I Can't Teach If I'm Dead."  (Shame on me.)

I do understand there is some concern among teachers, especially those with youngsters, that day care can't be found.  At least that is the situation here in Michigan.  The governor's authoritarian, capricious and arbitrary, and harmful executive orders have reduced the number and capacity of day care facilities.  But what makes teachers so special?  Other people who have had to return to work also might have to find day care for their kids.  And with so many teachers insisting on remote/online classes, how is that going to work out?  Do your online schooling at day care.....

I think anyone who believes or argues that, for the vastly overwhelming majority of students, online learning/classes are quality education is delusional.  Several years back, I spoke with a college guru of online courses and asked him, "Are these online classes the equivalent of regular, traditional in-person classes?"  I barely got the question out of my mouth when he blurted, "Oh, good heavens no!  They're not even close."  And, apparently, this was a guy who taught and advocated for them.

Where are all those politicians and corporation who dumped all over the schools and teachers for the rotten products (Students became products!) they were turning out?  Why aren't they leading the charge for a return to full-time, traditional classes, from Kindergarten through to higher education?  After all, if they are so concerned with quality......

I know, I know.  "But what if a child gets the virus?"  People have been very selective in what "science" they have chosen to believe.  Policy has been set based on this selectivity.  Fear has been instilled in people (parents?) based on this, too.  A considered rethinking of data is required.  We can start with the fact that the median age of those dying from the virus is 80!  That means 50% of the CoVid deaths are of octogenarians.  And only about 6% of those are listed solely as Corona deaths, with no comorbidity factors.  Compare the deaths of children from the regular, seasonal flu with those from CoVid.

OK, I'm willing to make a concession here.  There have been so many lies, so much disinformation and misinterpretation of data, I really don't know what or who to believe.  But I know who I don't believe, not for one instant.  I don't believe those who say we are putting our children's lives in jeopardy by putting them back in school.

I'm not advocating "business as usual."  Obviously care must be taken.  If masks are deemed necessary or even just desirable, I can live with them.  Continue to wash hands often.  If it makes folks more comfortable/at ease, spread the kids around.  Be careful.

To those who might claim I don't care about kids, that I'm sending them to their deaths, I would suggest looking at some views other than what we get from our politicians and media.  Check some opposing views from scientists, even Nobel winners, views that disagree with the quarantine and shutdowns.  Many noted pediatricians, child psychologists and social workers, etc. have expressed the irreparable damage being done to our children, not only educationally.  They are being scarred socially, psychologically, and even physically.