Cuomo said a decision on whether to leave schools closed until the end of the academic year will be made in “about one week, so we give people some notice.”
Your guess is as good as mine as to what that means. I will say that if social distancing continues, it is difficult to see many NYC school buildings opening up for a while. However, remember how Cuomo said reopening schools is intertwined with reopening business. We'll see what happens next week.
As for what school might look like when buildings are reopened, everyone should read this NPR piece that two friends sent to me. Michael Mulgrew is quoted extensively:
A school building is not what you would call an ideal place in the middle of a pandemic," says Michael Mulgrew, the head of the New York City teachers union, the United Federation of Teachers. So the first order of business, he says, is "How do you make sure there's a plan in place to make sure the people walking in are not spreading anything?"
Ideally, he says, this is accomplished by widespread and frequent testing for the coronavirus. But Mulgrew also points to the safety measures being taken right now at the city's 100 "regional enrichment centers" that provide child care for front-line workers. These include wearing masks, temperature checks, hand-washing, frequent sanitization and social distancing rules enforced even for very small children.
Denmark reopened after a month with class sizes of 10. The ideal recommendation for NYC is 12.
Maria Litvinova, a researcher at the Institute for Scientific Interchange in Turin, Italy, has modeled how school closures reduce the spread of illness. She argues that without treatments or a vaccine, "there is no such thing as 'safe' reopening."
Still, in an attempt to balance safety with the impact on families and the economy, she also recommends reducing social contact by putting children in the smallest groups possible. Assuming there is sufficient testing and contact tracing to reduce the spread of infection, "it's better if that student's been in contact with one group of 15 students versus 100 students."
Based on the typical size of a classroom in New York City, 12 would be the most children you could accommodate while maintaining social distancing, says the UFT's Mulgrew. At the International School in Denmark, they are grouping kids in classes of 10.
[NEA President] Lily Eskelsen Garcia points out that her membership has been asking for smaller classes for a long time. "The doctors say 39 sweaty bodies in a classroom is not healthy and safe — by the way, it never was. But in this case, it might spread an infection that kills people."
Mulgrew's suggestion on staggering schedules:
Reducing class size this drastically would probably mean staggering schedules. By way of example, Mulgrew suggests that one group of kids might attend school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday one week, then Tuesday and Thursday the following week.
Elementary schools will go back first if the UFT President has his way. Kids live closer to schools generally and stay with one teacher for most of the day at the elementary school level. Passing time between periods will be a big social distancing problem in secondary schools.
As for calendars:
To make up for the learning lost while schools are closed, there have been suggestions of starting school sooner, or continuing through next summer, or both.
"This situation is going to be like what is often called the summer slide, but on steroids," Virginia's superintendent of public instruction, James Lane, told NPR. "I think there will be opportunities for us to discuss different ways to approach calendars." This means, among other things, renegotiating union contracts. And while districts are rewriting calendars, Litvinova says, they should probably prepare for having to close schools again when and if outbreaks recur, until there is a vaccine.
There is lots of room for union concessions on work rules. The UFT looks like they will have their seat at the table which is often when they are at their worst. We should probably expect a different world when school buildings reopen. If they are not safe, don't expect the UFT to advise you to walk out of them.
52 comments:
All I know is that educators, students and families need to get the antibody test. This will identify who is at higher risk of contracting the virus.
It’s almost a certainty, that if schools open this school year , they will remain in session throughout the summer. DeBlasio announced schools were closed for the rest of this school year and had been planning on continuing distance learning - but if Cuomo undercuts him, deBlasio will do him one better and try to keep the schools in session all summer - which will ensure another cat fight with Cuomo. The immaturity of these two is staggering, ‘Who’s the real Italian?!’ - Italy has suffered enough, as has New York. I hope Mulgrew has the where with all to stand up to one or both of these wanna be godfathers. Unless teachers start screaming and threatening a walkout, Mulgrew will kiss both their rings (and their asses).
From BBC
The UK has placed antibody tests - which check if someone has had Covid-19 - at the centre of an eventual "back-to-work" plan to restart normal life.
But experts said they may not prove if someone is protected from reinfection.
Again from BBC. This is from April 25
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that there is "currently no evidence that people who have recovered from Covid-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection".
It has been suggested that people who survive an infection may develop antibodies that can attack the virus and prevent reinfection.
In the UK, antibody blood testing and surveillance to determine the rate of infection among the public is one of "five pillars" of the government's testing strategy, designed to suppress the virus.
Antibody testing - to show if someone has had the virus in the past - is considered crucial in providing an exit pathway from the current lockdown, as well as providing data to those developing a vaccine.
From the UFT petition on what is needed for reopening the schools:
1-Widespread access to coronavirus testing to regularly check that people are negative or have immunity.
Flies right in the face of what WHO said.
Glad the UFT is not my scientific advisor.
BBC again from April 25
Governments should not issue so-called "immunity passports" or "risk-free certificates" as a way of easing lockdowns, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.
It said there was "no evidence" that people who had developed antibodies after recovering from the virus were protected against a second infection.
Such a move could actually increase virus transmission, it warned.
People who assumed they were immune might stop taking precautions, it said.
Some governments have considered permitting people who have recovered to travel or return to work.
There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from Covid-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection," the WHO said in a briefing note .
Most studies carried out so far showed that people who had recovered from infection had antibodies in their blood - but some of these people had very low levels of antibodies.
This suggested that another part of the body's immune response - T-cells, which eliminate infected cells - may also be "critical" for recovery.
As of Friday no study had evaluated whether the presence of antibodies to the virus conferred immunity to subsequent infection by the virus in humans, the WHO said.
"At this point in the pandemic, there is not enough evidence about the effectiveness of antibody-mediated immunity to guarantee the accuracy of an 'immunity passport' or 'risk-free certificate'," it said.
The organisation also said laboratory tests to detect antibodies needed further validation to determine their accuracy and also needed to distinguish between previous infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus - which has caused the pandemic - and the six other known coronaviruses in circulation.
For a Trump doctor view
Responding to a question about patients retesting positive at the CNN Town Hall on Thursday night, Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, said the jury was still out on whether a person who had recovered could still shed infectious RNA strands.
"That's a question that's still outstanding -- it hasn't been answered in the studies to date, although people are really working on that now and culturing the virus and seeing if that potential exists," she added.
I agree with you 10:10 AM. School staff should all be tested for both antibodies and they should be tested for existing infection as well so we can go back with some peace of mind. This is not about immunity, it's about knowing that you had it, and have created antibodies for the virus, and have survived the infection. We were in close quarters with children and each other, in large numbers for AT LEAST a month while the virus was spreading undetected, with many school staff, and students taking public transportation at the same time.
Schools also shouldn't be evaluated this year such as graduation rates. There is an article in the post in which interest groups sent a letter to the doe claiming all students should pass this year. That is insulting to the teachers who have done all this work and the students also who have worked hard. They are claiming it will make up for the years of racial disparity in the system. I'm sorry but if a student needs a laptop, if he had a good parent, he would have one by now. Every school's website has a way to get a laptop. What are we teaching kids, help has to come to you? You need to have initiative if you want to survive in this world.
What about people getting infected on the train or bus? What about when students get up and walk out of class because they feel like it and chat in the hall? What about asymptomatic? What about a student who didnt have it yesterday but got it today?
They said you may be able to get reinfected even with antibodies.
Nothing on UFT petition on lower class size. Lower class size is essential to keep social distancing in place.
They will be open June 1st...We will go back, and we will see what happens. I have a feeling infections will not go up too much in June...Wait until the Fall... October and November, things can start to get out of hand again with Coronavirus, flu, and comman cold all competing for victims to infect. Since all 3 have similar symptoms, this can really cause chaos for the heathcare system.
Masks- the good kind, given to everyone, everyday, hand sanitizer, 6 feet distancing, deep cleaning every night, unlimited sick time like the cops and sanitation. Don't forget special ed students who are often in smaller rooms- they should also be reduced to 1/3 of the class.
I saw a commenter on cable last night say that if there is no plan, then the plan is to let people catch it. Opening school could expose everyone in the school and everyone's family at home.
This plan needs to be as airtight as possible.
Agree with 1:19
Mulgrew spoke about different schedules and then starts a petition that totally omits them?
They must have social distancing or we should not be going back. UFT has to protect us. June is opt out month.
You really expect Mulgrew to protect you? You are the very definition of a fool then.
As per the President's instructions, staff and students will drink some bleach before entering the schools to kill the virus.
There are many sources of media commenting on the subway (MTA) issue: homelessness population, urine, feces, etc. MTA workers mention that the subways are filthy and are not being disinfected. These are all issues that are very disturbing.
Many of the schools are almost as dirty as the subways.
Supplying masks for the students is a joke. They will just throw it out and say, "Oh well, I lost it. Now you can't make me wear it." You know we can't send them home because we'll be denying them an education and we can't have that, but we can deny people their lives. The kids are in no way shape or form going to wear masks for 6-7 hours a day. It's not happening. In addition, you'll have to worry about kids wearing colored bandanas and identifying as gangs that way.
Beginning on May 1, the NBA is allowing teams to open their practice facilities to players in cities and states where local governments have eased stay-at-home orders, sources tell ESPN.
The DOE will not supply masks. Heck, they couldn't even get it right in providing hand sanitizers and clorox wipes. They should supply masks, etc., but we are talking about the DOE. So, therefore, let science be the determining factor for returning to the school buildings for work. The only chilling factor is that this situation may return in Fall 2020.
A big piece is in the Post about how Carranza needs to cut his bloated bureaucracy to save the city money.
My c a r balance on the 4/30 pay stub is exactly the same as it was on the April 15th pay stub I did not get the April 16th car day or the extra four days promised. Anybody else having this problem?
You'll be lucky if it shows up in June.
@7:40 PM - Noticed that as well. The DOE can't just enter the information to add 4 CAR days to anyone and press submit. They drag everything. Something that should be so simple to do.
If the DOE can provide computers, they can provide masks. I agree, that the science must determine the next step, but it is foolish to prematurely lower criteria for safety.
You are right, there may be some students who refuse to wear masks, this needs to be planned for. In addition, there will be some students, for some health condition who can not wear masks, this also needs a plan.
IMO there might be a significant percentage of children who don't return to school this year. In that case, they might need to continue distance learning.
All this said, there are so many details that need to be worked out for over 1 million students, that it doesn't seem to make sense to re-open schools this year.
Let science determine if schools should open and right now science is for NOT OPENING SCHOOLS. Cuomo is just prolonging the issue. Let him.
What about public transportation travel?
@12:18 AM - Public transportation will need to be regularly sanitized, cleaned and the homeless population needs to be addressed. @4:47 PM commented briefly on the disturbing status.
Within two years we could see everyone micro-chipped, for a variety of reasons. The one given will be for public safety and to streamline the checking for symptoms. Between your cell phone, omnipresent cameras and micro chipping - kiss all your civil liberties goodbye. Legislation, like the war on terror Patriot Act will be passed. Your every sleeping and waking moment will be monitored. People should be demanding privacy laws now - once they are taken away , they will never be returned.ThePatriot Act remains and once you’re microchipped, it’ll be with you until your dying day. This pandemic is looking more and more like it was purposely created and it is beginning to reformat society and individual rights. The numbers of sick, especially the old and homeless are disappearing. Economically the middle class is being squeezed. A brave new world. Forget teaching - distance learning and vocational training will replace most teachers. Don’t like it? Take this pill or puff - Bliss.
Well, there is talk about how this pandemic will make things different and that it is an opportunity to do things differently.
I would love to know how I get to my school in Manhattan on a bus and train? How do i safely do that? And that is before sharing the building with many hundreds of people.
How can a train be sanitized when it is packed over and over? Not possible.
@12:27 PM - Agree, not possible, but the MTA is saying that it's not being cleaned at all when they are supposed to. That is the issue.
@12:26, Kids and teachers shouldn’t have to travel via public transportation to get to school. We used to have neighborhood schools with many teachers living in the neighborhoods they taught. Bloomberg ended that. There’s also a residency requirement - if you are a NYC employee, and that includes teachers. If the city really wants to f—k teachers it’s easily done.
I'd love for the DOE to enforce some kind of teacher residency requirement. They have enough trouble getting people to teach in the Bronx, so what will they do when half the staff in schools who live in Yonkers, Westchester, etc quit because they're not moving.
@2:17 pm: You're right about the destruction of the neighborhood school. Teachers and students sharing space. For some reason the students behaved better knowing that their teachers are in the neighborhood
@4:03 - I can’t afford to live in my old neighborhood in the Bronx. If I was super wealthy or qualified for Section 8, I could. I do live in Yonkers - a Bronx substitute (yes, with the double meaning).
2:17, not only is there no residency requirement for teachers, as 4:03 sarcastically pointed out it isn't feasible. Add on top of that, that the requirement that does exist for uniforms (PD and FD) includes many counties in NYS. Additionally, recognize that particularly on the FD with the 25 group schedule that many live quite far afield including in NJ, CT and PA, and use their sister's, parent's, "cousin"'s, etc. address to satisfy the requirement. It's a paper tiger.
I agree in regard to the Zoned schools, but for HS and JHS kids still end up on the bus. For most students only the elementary school is (arguably) within walking distance. I'm all for the return of the neighborhood/area zoned comprehensive HS but that doesn't fix the transportation issue.
TLC, There has always been a residency requirement, I was specifically told of it when I was fingerprinted ; it just isn’t enforced. When looking for away to get rid of senior staff when next year’s budget is cut 50% or more, it will be. Distance learning will more than suffice for those that don’t want to teach in the Bronx.
11:02, Could you please show us where the residency requirement is for NYC teachers in Chancellor's Regulations or the contract? Is it possible the fingerprinting guy was mistaken? Let's not spread something unless we can back it up in writing. Thank you.
there is no residency requirement to be a DOE teacher.
a ton of doe teachers live in NJ, CT, PA and some even are residents of Delaware.
If there were a residency requirement, don't you guys think the doe would have already enforced it?
stop with the fake rumors
James, it was the UFT that told me about it after a second fingerprinting in 1993, while insisting that I had to be fingerprinted again and pay $75 again. I can’t find anything on line about the residency requirements. I did get something in writing concerning it in ‘93. Maybe the UFT could clarify this issue, if they even know.
There was (is?) indeed a residency requirement. When I started as a PPT back in 1990, I was informed of it by the BOE and called the UFT for clarification. I was told that it was on the books, but ignored because of the teacher shortage. I’ve never read that the requirement was rescinded.
Where is it in writing? Please let's see it.
I have a call in to Dr. Jekyll at the UFT - stay tuned.
Do you know how many teachers they would lose if there was a residency requirement? That would be insane. What about all the people who have houses? Are they just going to sell them and relocate their entire families? I never heard of this and obviously if it hasn't been around for over 30 years, it's not important.
After writing today's piece, I did the research on city residency for NYC employees. Most are required to live in NYC but not DOE. This is from a 2013 Chalkbeat piece on Independent Budget Office proposals to save money:
"Another new proposal could inspire even more controversy: stricter residency requirements for new DOE employees. Currently, most city employees must live in the city for two years and then can move to six surrounding New York counties and are taxed an additional amount equivalent to city taxes. DOE employees have been exempt from both requirements, but changing that for new hires would bring in $3 million next year and increase over time as older teachers retire, according to the IBO."
So we don't have to live in NYC. One of you could have easily done the research instead of saying what the fingerprint guy told you.
The UFT told me of the residency requirement in 1990. It was still in effect when I changed licenses in 1994. I’ve talked to several UFT folks today and they couldn’t definitively say one way or the other.
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