I’m elderly, I live alone now, and probably in the “high risk” category. I’m sheltering in place, leaving only once or twice a week to get groceries and/or gasoline for the car. It just seems the best option I have based on the lack of solid information on the disease. I have been called everything from “paranoid” to “stupid” by acquaintances and neighbors. I’ll admit to a little paranoia, perhaps. But I’ve yet to succumb to the frantic search for toilet paper. For my modest needs, the dozen or so rolls I had on hand should last me awhile. And if that runs out, there’s still the newspaper’s editorial page – and I get that daily.
The hashtag Don’t Be a Spreader is trending as people are trying to tell the ignorant that it’s not about you healthy people contracting the disease, it’s about you dumb people becoming carriers and spreading it to anyone young and old with pre-existing conditions that make them vulnerable. Common sense has been further alienated by the incompetent misinformation from the Trump Administration.
Despite fierce opposition from top Arizona politicians, the state is going ahead with shuttering schools until the end of the month in order to prevent community spread of the coronavirus.
Leave it to the GOP to give in to its initial primal instinct of not doing the right thing.
Fortunately for Arizona, its Republican governor, Doug Ducey, ended up reversing his earlier stance to keep schools open as he was faced down by educators and schools alike who—in the common interest of promoting common sense, protecting strained resources and stressing health and public safety—began to self-close.
Good for them.
To the rest of you, welcome to the real world. Quit the “buts" and get your butts in gear.
Meanwhile, as the COVID-19 crisis mounts, the idea is catching on elsewhere with wiser and kinder heads now prevailing as increasing numbers of states and municipalities around the country are proceeding with the closure of their own schools.
Jim Small, editor of the Arizona Mirror, reports on the unfolding effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic:
“Arizona schools will be closed until March 27 as public health officials work to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
“The order to close schools came from Gov. Doug Ducey and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman, and is a reversal from a March 12 conference call they had with education leaders in which they recommended schools remain open.
“But in the days since, dozens of school districts, charter school networks and private schools announced they were suspending classes. More said they were evaluating what to do while students are on spring break during the upcoming week and were likely to suspend classes in the future.
“[Ducey] advised against wide K-12 school closures on Thursday, but schools have taken it upon themselves to close or extend spring break. . . .
“On Sunday morning, the Arizona Education Association, a teacher’s union that represents 20,000 educators, called for all Arizona schools to be closed indefinitely.
“That move was immediately criticized by top Republicans, including [state] Senate President Karen Fann, who called the AEA’s request ‘pure politics.’ In a subsequent tweet, Fann said closing schools would be an ‘over panic’ and was not necessary. . . .
“Ducey said that the actions of those school districts prompted he and Hoffman to re-evaluate their position.
“’As more schools announce closures and education administrators express staff shortages within their schools, now is the time to act. A statewide closure is the right thing to do,’ he said in a written statement. ‘While this measure will not stop the spread of COVID-19, it will bring certainty and consistency in schools across Arizona.’
“Hoffman said the Arizona Department of Education, which she heads, is working with school district leaders, teachers and parents to ensure the needs of students and their families are met.”
“’The health and safety of all our students is our top priority, and we’ve worked hard to keep our school doors open—schools provide important services and many families rely on them for nutrition, access to health care and in order to do their own jobs,’ she said.”
Glad the message is getting through.
Continuing:
“Ducey and Hoffman have directed schools to take steps to minimize disruption during the closure, particularly to ensure students still have access to nutritional meals and health care provided by many Arizona schools.
“Among the directives are to make an effort to provide learning opportunities through online resources or materials sent home to students. Another calls for school administrators to develop plans for serving breakfast and lunch to students.
“Ducey and Hoffman also want schools to expand available childcare programs to provide space for the children of health care workers and first responders.
“One effort to minimize the disruption to parents who can no longer send their children to school is coordinating with non-profits, faith-based organizations and educational entities to make childcare available to those who need it.
“There are currently [at least 18] confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Arizona.
“Ducey on March 11 declared a state of emergency as the state combats the spread of the coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 illness. On March 12, the Legislature approved $55 million in emergency funding and limited public access to the State Capitol and legislative chambers. . . .
“There are nearly 1,700 verified COVID-19 cases in the United States and 80 people have [now] died.“
“Symptoms of coronavirus resemble that of the flu. So, if you’re experiencing coughing, fever, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath, you should consider getting checked out. Call your primary care physician or visit an urgent care center or emergency room—but call the health care provider before you go so, they can be prepared for your arrival. The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center is taking COVID-19 calls: 1-844-542-8201
(SOURCE: “Arizona Schools Closed Until March 27 Due to Coronavirus,” by Jim Small, editor, Arizona Mirror, March 15, 2020, story subsequently updated to include statements from the Arizona Education Association and Senate President Karen Fann)
Just a note to give a big hug to our school districts in rural Maine. They are making up to go meals for breakfast and lunch to be handed out at the school kitchen doors or will deliver by school bus to drop off areas. No questions asked except how many bags do you need? Taking care of the kids in this awful time makes my heart sing and my eyes weep.
Bookworm about 4 years ago
I’m elderly, I live alone now, and probably in the “high risk” category. I’m sheltering in place, leaving only once or twice a week to get groceries and/or gasoline for the car. It just seems the best option I have based on the lack of solid information on the disease. I have been called everything from “paranoid” to “stupid” by acquaintances and neighbors. I’ll admit to a little paranoia, perhaps. But I’ve yet to succumb to the frantic search for toilet paper. For my modest needs, the dozen or so rolls I had on hand should last me awhile. And if that runs out, there’s still the newspaper’s editorial page – and I get that daily.
Alberta Oil Premium Member about 4 years ago
No school… and an unemployed bus driver.. and staff.. and cleanup crew..
ndblackirish97 about 4 years ago
The hashtag Don’t Be a Spreader is trending as people are trying to tell the ignorant that it’s not about you healthy people contracting the disease, it’s about you dumb people becoming carriers and spreading it to anyone young and old with pre-existing conditions that make them vulnerable. Common sense has been further alienated by the incompetent misinformation from the Trump Administration.
Union Man about 4 years ago
The bumper sticker says it all. Remove Trump & Pence (dumb & dumber) asap. REAL leadership is needed!!!!!
Radish the wordsmith about 4 years ago
Mick Mulvaney under self-quarantine after his niece is exposed to COVID-19 infection at Mar-a-Lago
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/03/mick-mulvaney-under-self-quarantine-after-his-niece-is-exposed-to-covid-19-infection-at-mar-a-lago/
Concretionist about 4 years ago
Um. OK. But Benson obscured the most important part: The license plate’s message.
SteveBenson8 creator about 4 years ago
Despite fierce opposition from top Arizona politicians, the state is going ahead with shuttering schools until the end of the month in order to prevent community spread of the coronavirus.
Leave it to the GOP to give in to its initial primal instinct of not doing the right thing.
Fortunately for Arizona, its Republican governor, Doug Ducey, ended up reversing his earlier stance to keep schools open as he was faced down by educators and schools alike who—in the common interest of promoting common sense, protecting strained resources and stressing health and public safety—began to self-close.
Good for them.
To the rest of you, welcome to the real world. Quit the “buts" and get your butts in gear.
Meanwhile, as the COVID-19 crisis mounts, the idea is catching on elsewhere with wiser and kinder heads now prevailing as increasing numbers of states and municipalities around the country are proceeding with the closure of their own schools.
Carry on, civilization.
SteveBenson8 creator about 4 years ago
Jim Small, editor of the Arizona Mirror, reports on the unfolding effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic:
“Arizona schools will be closed until March 27 as public health officials work to curb the spread of the coronavirus.“The order to close schools came from Gov. Doug Ducey and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman, and is a reversal from a March 12 conference call they had with education leaders in which they recommended schools remain open.
“But in the days since, dozens of school districts, charter school networks and private schools announced they were suspending classes. More said they were evaluating what to do while students are on spring break during the upcoming week and were likely to suspend classes in the future.
“[Ducey] advised against wide K-12 school closures on Thursday, but schools have taken it upon themselves to close or extend spring break. . . .“On Sunday morning, the Arizona Education Association, a teacher’s union that represents 20,000 educators, called for all Arizona schools to be closed indefinitely.
“That move was immediately criticized by top Republicans, including [state] Senate President Karen Fann, who called the AEA’s request ‘pure politics.’ In a subsequent tweet, Fann said closing schools would be an ‘over panic’ and was not necessary. . . .
“Ducey said that the actions of those school districts prompted he and Hoffman to re-evaluate their position.
“’As more schools announce closures and education administrators express staff shortages within their schools, now is the time to act. A statewide closure is the right thing to do,’ he said in a written statement. ‘While this measure will not stop the spread of COVID-19, it will bring certainty and consistency in schools across Arizona.’
“Hoffman said the Arizona Department of Education, which she heads, is working with school district leaders, teachers and parents to ensure the needs of students and their families are met.”
cont.
SteveBenson8 creator about 4 years ago
“’The health and safety of all our students is our top priority, and we’ve worked hard to keep our school doors open—schools provide important services and many families rely on them for nutrition, access to health care and in order to do their own jobs,’ she said.”
Glad the message is getting through.
Continuing:
“Ducey and Hoffman have directed schools to take steps to minimize disruption during the closure, particularly to ensure students still have access to nutritional meals and health care provided by many Arizona schools.
“Among the directives are to make an effort to provide learning opportunities through online resources or materials sent home to students. Another calls for school administrators to develop plans for serving breakfast and lunch to students.
“Ducey and Hoffman also want schools to expand available childcare programs to provide space for the children of health care workers and first responders.
“One effort to minimize the disruption to parents who can no longer send their children to school is coordinating with non-profits, faith-based organizations and educational entities to make childcare available to those who need it.
“There are currently [at least 18] confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Arizona.
“Ducey on March 11 declared a state of emergency as the state combats the spread of the coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 illness. On March 12, the Legislature approved $55 million in emergency funding and limited public access to the State Capitol and legislative chambers. . . .
“There are nearly 1,700 verified COVID-19 cases in the United States and 80 people have [now] died.“
cont.
SteveBenson8 creator about 4 years ago
“How you can tell if you might have been impacted
“Symptoms of coronavirus resemble that of the flu. So, if you’re experiencing coughing, fever, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath, you should consider getting checked out. Call your primary care physician or visit an urgent care center or emergency room—but call the health care provider before you go so, they can be prepared for your arrival. The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center is taking COVID-19 calls: 1-844-542-8201
(SOURCE: “Arizona Schools Closed Until March 27 Due to Coronavirus,” by Jim Small, editor, Arizona Mirror, March 15, 2020, story subsequently updated to include statements from the Arizona Education Association and Senate President Karen Fann)
FrannieL Premium Member about 4 years ago
Just a note to give a big hug to our school districts in rural Maine. They are making up to go meals for breakfast and lunch to be handed out at the school kitchen doors or will deliver by school bus to drop off areas. No questions asked except how many bags do you need? Taking care of the kids in this awful time makes my heart sing and my eyes weep.