Here's a photo of the first day back at the school my kids graduated from (Dallas, GA)

[groundloop]

This photo is from North Paulding High School in Dallas, GA.

The Paulding County School Superintendent (Dr. Brian Otott) has refused to consider postponing reopening, and has merely "suggested" that students and teachers wear masks. Online learning was an option, but hundreds of students were put on a waiting list and are being forced to go to class.

OH..... and several members of the football team came down with Covid-19 in the past week, and there's no telling how many other friends they've been interacting with.

[beachbumbob]

1. So when this blows up in 4 weeks, what's going to be the excuse?

Nobody could have predicted?

[LizBeth]

3. Right.

[TeamPooka]

5. 4 weeks? A summer camp in GA closed after 4 days with half the kids infected.

I give it a week.
Can't have school when all the teachers get infected.

[beachbumbob]

21. 4 weeks this explodes all across the US, let's see who accepts

responsiblity.

[tblue37]

26. One school in Indiana had to close again within hours on the first day back. nt

[LizBeth]

2. Look at the three mask kids up against the wall trying to stay out of the mess. That third girl

in the middle of crowd certainly looks concerned. So not fair.

[hedda_foil]

24. The third girl (second masked girl facing us) looks more than concerned -- more like terrified.

[LizBeth]

25. Yes.

[In_The_Wind]

4. How many of those children without mask will live to see next Spring.

[groundloop]

6. Hell, even the kids WITH masks are in grave danger

Masks do far more to keep you from spreading a virus to others than they do to protect you from someone else. The numbers I've read say that a mask is about 90% effective at keeping you from spreading the virus to someone else and 30% effective at keeping someone from giving you the virus. 30% is certainly better than zero, but it's not a bet I'd like to be forced to make.

It's clear that the vast majority of these kids either don't have a clue what the facts are or don't give a rat's ass about others (or both).

[Hav]

7. Correct

I feel sorry for all those packed into these crowds who were responsible enough to put on a mask in contrast to the selfish idiots without masks around them. I wonder how many will come back from school to infect their relatives. And those with masks can thank their inconsiderate fellow students.

[Maraya1969]

10. But why is it only 30% effective? It seems to me, just looking at it that you are blocking aerosol

droplets from being inhaled into your body. How do you get infected while you are wearing a mask?

[groundloop]

12. I don't pretend to know all the details, but I can see several issues.......

When you inhale there's a portion of unfiltered air that comes in around the sides of a mask. That's obviously a function of how well a mask seals to your face, most masks that are available to us don't seal all that great (especially for those with facial hair).

Virus particles are EXTREMELY small and it's not hard to imagine that a few of them could find their way through fabric.

Also, Dr. Fauci has come out very recently with evidence that the virus can enter your body through your eyes, so a mask obviously won't help with that.

[Maraya1969]

17. I also have a face shield which is more comfortable as long as you aren't outside in the heat.

I suppose both of these need social distancing to work. I can see if I have my mask or shield on but am up front and close with people I would be putting myself in danger. But I think that masks + social distancing must have a much higher rate of success.

I have seen the videos of people fighting in the stores and getting right up to a person's face when they are wearing a mask and I worry about those people. The people doing it should be arrested in my opinion.

[KentuckyWoman]

28. Graphic

[In_The_Wind]

14. It's clear that the future of our nation is in great danger.

Not only do I wear a face mask when forced to venture out but I also have a face-shield.

All of those children are in grave danger.

In my lifetime I've heard too many generations of youngsters say "If I grow up".

[PSPS]

13. It's those with masks that will be harmed. Masks protect others from you, not the other way around.

The few students wearing masks are screwed.

[Mariana]

18. Almost all of them will live.

Some of them may have permanent organ damage, though. Some of them may very well have dead parents, grandparents, neighbors, etc. But almost all of them will live.

[Sympthsical]

8. It floors me the parents went along with this

Sorry, if this were my kid, there's no way in hell they'd be going into that environment. Fine me, jail me, whatever. My child's life would be far more important than a governor's stupidity.

[groundloop]

11. My trumper daughter in law was attacking people on facebook who suggested this was irresponsible

I couldn't believe what I was reading, she was LIVID that someone dared to suggest it would be safer for kids to learn from home until we get this under control. Christmas dinner (if it even happens) is certainly going to be interesting this year.

[crickets]

15. Lately I have been coming to grips with Thanksgiving and Christmas alone this year.

I just don't feel safe traveling or getting together with family from out of town as we normally would, and the situation we all face will likely be worse rather than better by the time the holidays roll around. It's depressing, but not as awful as losing a child or other family member to this madness and never sharing holidays with them again. I feel for every student, teacher, and school staff member forced into this. It's going to be so ugly and sad.

[TheBlackAdder]

9. That's just messed up. Glad your kids are out of there.

[jmg257]

16. Ugh - I have a BIL with 4 elementary kids in Paulding/Dallas...he was wanting them to go

cause them home at the end of last semester was "so hard".

I figure they're on the "next to get covid" list. And had no issue telling his mom and sister that.

Just goofy, cause there is NO way would I be sending my kids.

[spanone]

19. that's some pretty cool social distancing, eh?

[totodeinhere]

20. If I were a parent with children in that district I would keep them out of school even if they were

not eligible of online learning. Human life is more important than any other consideration.

[davsand]

22. NO idea what that state's home schooling laws are, but my kid would not be there.

I know that here in Illinois, you can home school your kids if you choose to without having to be a certified teacher. We considered it for our daughter at one point, in fact. Thankfully, she's out of college now, so it's a non-issue for us. (However, she works in a government social service agency for people dealing with extreme poverty and homeless issues so she's one of the at risk "essential employees now. I salve my soul by viewing it as what she chooses/is called to do. The fear for your kid is never ending, really.)

In any case, legal or not, I don't think there's anything safe about opening schools right now.





Laura

[groundloop]

23. Georgia is very lax about home schooling.... Pretty much anyone can do it, qualified or not.

[groundloop]

27. The Superintendent sent out an email attempting to cover his ass on this.... MUCH misinformation

The biggest pile of crap in his email to parents is that it takes over 15 minutes of exposure to catch the Coronavirus..... WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!?!?!

Then he had the nerve to say 'don't worry, we're following state guidelines', and that while he encourages students and teachers to wear a mask it's a personal choice.

Superintendent Brian Otott needs to find a new job post haste.