Should kids and college students go back to class in person or online this fall?

Should kids and college students go back to class in person or online this fall?

  • Kids and college students should be online only

    Votes: 23 60.5%
  • Kids should be online but college should be a mix online and in person

    Votes: 4 10.5%
  • Kids should be a mix online/in person and colleges should be online only

    Votes: 1 2.6%
  • Kids and colleges should be a mix online/in person

    Votes: 5 13.2%
  • I'm a snowflake and my choice wasn't represented above because you oversimplified the issue, dunce!

    Votes: 5 13.2%

  • Total voters
    38

snoopy7548

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2005
8,122
5,144
146
Online only. I understand this will be difficult for the parents, but it's probably easier than dealing with dead family members.

It's easy for me to say this because I don't have kids. There are a lot of issues that need to be worked out, but they probably should have mostly been worked out by now.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
57,957
8,204
126
I'm a snowflake. You didn't list the option of setting up big tents, and having class outside. That's what I'd do.
 
Nov 8, 2012
20,828
4,777
146
I almost want to say neither.

There is no excuse for the piss-poor education that kids will be getting. I'd much rather them ensure that they learn what they need to learn for their grade then some moronic attempt to educate kids with an already limited attention span.


EDIT: (I'm speaking mostly of grade-school here - college may not be the same).
 

Mai72

Lifer
Sep 12, 2012
11,562
1,741
126
I say lets scrape this system and HAVE FUN! :)

video games in the morning,
video games at night
we're going to have fun
by the moonlight!
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,389
1,778
126
After seeing the Wuhan Pool Party pictures yesterday out of ground zero, I'm convinced we may be in better shape than first thought. My assumption is that herd immunity may be more of a thing (despite the media casting doubt where there's little proof). The October 2018 to October 2019 images of Wuhan hospital parking lots suggests the virus was in beginning more serious stages last Fall. (as well as patient zero in France around November) I wish we had the actual China death count so we can better scope their REAL infection rate and time to herd immunity.

In any case, we're only 6-7 months in and maybe only halfway through the worst of it and 3-4 months from possible decline. We just have to see what happens when the temperatures get cold again. Until then, I say learning should be online and vaccination should be rewarded through Federal Govt tax incentives (by taxing vaxers the normal rates and taxing non-vaxers double to pay for the mess they're making)
 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
25,476
3,976
126
I am okay with early elementary school children going in person. That is despite the fact that I'm strongly cautious about this virus (wear a mask at all times when outside the home, cancelled everything that I'm involved with, cancelled 4 vacations already, do not socialize, etc).
1) Unlike other diseases, elementary school children do not seem to transmit the Covid to others that much. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200710100934.htm
2) Early elementary school children often are sequestered into a single room the entire day, so they are not exposed to that many people (except for lunch/recess that can be moved into that room).
3) Elementary school children are the most impacted by schooling and are the least capable of sitting in front of a screen for extended periods of online learning.

I am strongly against middle school, high school, and college in person classes.
1) These students mix from class to class, interacting with hundreds of other people.
2) These students are generally fully capable of online learning.
3) These students are generally not good at self-control as so many of them feel invincible.
4) These students do transmit the virus to others and continue the spread.
 

ViviTheMage

Lifer
Dec 12, 2002
36,189
87
91
madgenius.com
I am bummed for my to be Kindergartener, he'll be virtual for at least the first quarter. But it's the right thing for the schools to do, don't want everyone getting too sick too quick.
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
Less than 1% positive infection rate in NY currently. And people are still railing on Cuomo. I'll take 1% and have kids take their chances at school... because virtual learning was a real f'n disaster last year. Plus they still get rec and gym. Staying at home everyday is for the birds. 2 or 3 days a week in-person which is all they're offering at their school is a good start.

BTW, I'm immuno-compromised (no spleen) and still feel this way.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
96,905
16,171
126
Less than 1% positive infection rate in NY currently. And people are still railing on Cuomo. I'll take 1% and have kids take their chances at school... because virtual learning was a real f'n disaster last year. Plus they still get rec and gym. Staying at home everyday is for the birds.

My kids have been hitting the backyard pool.
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
My kids have been hitting the backyard pool.
I mean we did go out to the park, neighborhood runs and biking, but that won't work in the winter and the thought of "what can we do today to change it up?" was getting old.
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,389
1,778
126
Less than 1% positive infection rate in NY currently. And people are still railing on Cuomo. I'll take 1% and have kids take their chances at school... because virtual learning was a real f'n disaster last year. Plus they still get rec and gym. Staying at home everyday is for the birds. 2 or 3 days a week in-person which is all they're offering at their school is a good start.

BTW, I'm immuno-compromised (no spleen) and still feel this way.
Yeah. I feel bad for Cuomo considering how front and center he was when NYC was in the midst of crisis. He was dealing with nonsense from the White House and the media speculation inciting more panic...or not enough panic.

How's NYC these days pertaining to public gatherings and restaurant dining and public transit? Is it 20% of what it was prior to March? 50%? 70%? I'm just curious how much people are still in hiding. In the South, people are FINALLY understanding, but Texas, Florida, and Georgia are the only states really peaking. The others are going to take more infections and deaths before herd immunity is achieved.

Many schools with young children end up with infected staff, who infect more children. It's just like the nursing home issue...you can't stop the spread easily when people are that close and sharing the breathable air.
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
Yeah. I feel bad for Cuomo considering how front and center he was when NYC was in the midst of crisis. He was dealing with nonsense from the White House and the media speculation inciting more panic...or not enough panic.

How's NYC these days pertaining to public gatherings and restaurant dining and public transit? Is it 20% of what it was prior to March? 50%? 70%? I'm just curious how much people are still in hiding. In the South, people are FINALLY understanding, but Texas, Florida, and Georgia are the only states really peaking. The others are going to take more infections and deaths before herd immunity is achieved.

Many schools with young children end up with infected staff, who infect more children. It's just like the nursing home issue...you can't stop the spread easily when people are that close and sharing the breathable air.
I'm not ever in NYC much, but from the Times Square Cam, it's probably 30% of what it was. But obviously not supposed to be big on tourists now.

Still plenty of precautions in restaurants everywhere. Gyms finally opening next week...
 

thestrangebrew1

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2011
3,621
470
126
My kid started remote on Thursday. Being in a rural community it's working by a thread. The school networks are getting hammered and connection issues happen everyday so far. But I'll take it over in-person instruction. She's in 5th grade where I feel she's old enough to learn from the screen, but just barely. Anything younger I'd be ok with in-person classes since supposedly younger children aren't as impacted, even though they can still spread it. I'm just fortunate that my step-son is home with her most of the time, and she can go to her aunt's house on days when he's not home. I feel for parents that don't have that luxury.
 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
25,476
3,976
126
How's NYC these days pertaining to public gatherings and restaurant dining and public transit? Is it 20% of what it was prior to March? 50%? 70%? I'm just curious how much people are still in hiding. In the South, people are FINALLY understanding, but Texas, Florida, and Georgia are the only states really peaking. The others are going to take more infections and deaths before herd immunity is achieved.
Lots of places give you this data, but generally I've only seen it at the state level or county level, not the city level. Example: https://www.google.com/covid19/mobility/
For Kings County (basically New York City), that lists Retail and Recreation down 28% from Jan/Feb 2020 levels. It lists transit stations down 29%.
 

MtnMan

Diamond Member
Jul 27, 2004
8,943
8,153
136
We are already seeing false starts, both public education, and college. Open a week, COVID cluster is the result, fall back to online only.

Article in local paper about a family that moved freshman daughter into dorm, and a week later moved her back home. At least that college is refunding dorm fees.
 

dainthomas

Lifer
Dec 7, 2004
14,635
3,507
136
We have several data points from the last few weeks of college kids being dumb fucking idiots and throwing huge parties, so online for everyone.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
68,413
12,593
126
www.anyf.ca
Personally I think it should be a mix of both online and offline for both schools and post secondary. I think it's unrealistic to make it 100% online, especially for kids, they still need some form of social interaction and even for college sometimes it's good to have ability to have 1 on 1 with teacher if you have trouble with something etc. Way it could work is the teachers could teach in a classroom and it's recorded and streamed, so you can either attend the class if you want, or go remotely. Or even watch it later, but by going live you would have option to ask questions and interact more. For schools, don't have buses, so for those who do want to go attend they would need to get a ride.

This way it gives people a bit more of a choice of what they feel right to do while also easing towards having more close contact. Kinda have to go back to normal at some point, so may as well ease into it. Even if it ends up being say, 50/50, it still means there is that much less people in the classrooms, and social distancing is a bit easier.
 

Spacehead

Lifer
Jun 2, 2002
13,067
9,858
136
As far as school, it depends on where you're at as far as in person learning, rural vs city. So far as i know around here it'll be in person and it might not be a problem if they can space the kids out. I haven't heard final plans, maybe i missed it.

As far as collage, from the reports it sounds like they might just as well go online unless it's a class that absolutely needs to be in person.

I don't have kids, so...
 

Wreckem

Diamond Member
Sep 23, 2006
9,461
996
126
What people don’t understand is that in person instruction is the same as online instruction in most districts. The only difference is the location where the student is on a computer.

Atleast in Texas in person and remote are all online learners. Normal in person instruction is unlikely to occur this year in most Texas districts.
 
Last edited:

Paratus

Lifer
Jun 4, 2004
17,102
14,440
146
My elementary school age kid will be 100% online learning for the first 9 weeks at a minimum.

My high school age kid will be online learning with the exception of marching band. (The band is outdoors only, with spacing required)

My college age kid is starting online only but his labs will transition to in person.

I see no way in person schooling will last more than three weeks before spikes in cases will force them to go fully online for a couple of weeks.
 
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BarkingGhostar

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2009
8,409
1,617
136
Keep in mind that college is not a institution of education, but a business. They cannot charge you the more expensive tuition rate if they don't make you come in at least once every couple of weeks. It is the only reason for the why they are trying to do this so called 'mix'. The net effect of spreading the virus is still 100%. And in states like mine, the governor has instituted the requirement and using prayer to protect.

I'm not kidding