I started our morning coffee convo by asking my wife, “Would you send our four kids back to school”? Her response was quick and direct: “Hell no!” She quickly added, “Although … can you imagine … if this happened when they were all home and in school? The math alone would kill us!”

At different points back in the day, we had each of our kids in completely different public schools from preschool to high school. We were both working insanely crazy hours at our restaurant and catering businesses. And no, I absolutely can’t imagine the extra burden this pandemic has on all types of families with kids at home. My initial response was, “There wouldn’t be enough wine and bourbon …”

This is a crucial decision for Americans coast-to-coast and I do not envy them. This school debate brings so many factors into play:

The mental, physical and social wellness of the children and of the family as a whole.
The children’s possible exposure.
Making ends meet without school or daycare. Especially for single parents and grandparents raising their kids’ kids.
Children with special needs and IEPs not getting properly taught. Early and continued intervention is crucial to their development. We know firsthand!
Many teachers across the country are not getting the proper support to effectively come up with an interactive online school plan.
Many kids depend on two school meals daily and healthcare.
Sports participation in regard to college acceptance/ scholarships, socialization and physical activity

Our good friend is a retired pediatrician with a daughter and son-in-law currently working in the same profession. Here’s some of their own guidelines for their three-year-old child about to enter preschool.

Local positive tests below 1% (today Massachusetts is at 1.9% many states are over 5%)
Viewing the schools safety plan around mask wearing, number of children in classrooms and all details regarding eating meals, bathrooms, etc.
Age of children. Kids over 10 transmit like adults. Young children do not seem to be as contagious. Does the school take this information into account when designing the reopening plan?

To date, I haven’t heard one bit of consistent or conclusive recommendations from any federal officials for reopening schools. Educators nationwide are getting mixed messages and school districts don’t have any guidance on opening schools safely. With many school’s calendar year scheduled to commence within weeks, the clock is ticking.

Getting the economy back up is a given, it must happen. Where I differ from many, I feel it should not be at the cost of human life. I am 100% in favor of following the science and facts and removing this issue from the political arena where it should have never gone in the first place. It is not a right or left issue; it’s a national issue.

After watching an interview, the other day, a CEO of a large pharmaceutical company was asked: Would he be sending his two young children back to school without a vaccine? He couldn’t say the word “yes,” merely responding there are many factors to consider. Yes sir, indeed there are.

Asking you all to stay safe, wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands often. Whether (and how) to reopen primary schools is not just a scientific and technocratic question. It is also an emotional and moral one.

Please share your thoughts and position on this topic.

Live well …

Reopening our schools

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