SCHOOL DAYS... SCHOOL DAYS.... OR... NOT???

THE COUNTDOWN TO BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!

Hi Folks: I came across some disturbing news this AM. Just in case you missed it, I thought that I should share...

In the July - August 2020 edition of "Mother Jones" magazine, a substantial report on the status of the Covid-19 viral invasion of the US. The magazine cover - "PLAGUED: Grift, Greed, Gaslighting: A Special Report on Trump's Covid Corruption" outlines the history of the Covid19 contagion as the "AMERICAN PLAGUE." One element of the report is tracking the growth of the Covid19 virus - case counts and related deaths that resulted. In addition to documenting the Trump DENIAL as "fake news" and yet another "witch hunt", the article tracks the death count that mounted over time. With the first US death in early February, by April 11th it hit 20,000.... by April 16th, 30,000... and by April 24th, 40,000+. Here we are in August - 4 months later - and we currently stand at 5.5 million cases and 170,000+ deaths. In just 4 months... the number of lives lost increased 4-fold... 4-times... 400%!!! And, against this backdrop, Trump and the Red states generally, insist that colleges and schools re-open full steam, on-site, and in classrooms....

This AM I came across a report at the University of North Carolina. Like most colleges in the US, the college re-opened this month. With moving into the dorms and Fraternity/Sorority housing, this one followed the Trump Plan - full engagement and full classes. Tested on campus arrival, students and faculty were cleared. But, if any showed positive test results or were symptomatic, they would be quarantined for a period. Now, at the end of the first week of classes, a repeat of the testing took place.... The faculty, staff, students, and the CDC were in for a shocking surprise.....

MORE THAN 170 STUDENTS TESTED POSITIVE - AFTER ONE WEEK! Hundreds more, along with some faculty and staff, were quarantined for a 2 week period and the entire campus reverted to "virtual classes." Classrooms, cafeterias, Faculty and Student Lounges, and any other activities requiring close contact were shut down - maybe temporary, maybe permanent. What does this suggest? And, what are we about to face across the US?

Escort or insulate our kids? Learn from experience??? 

In 2 weeks time, most grade schools and high schools across the nation will open. Some have carefully developed opening plans including some in-place and some virtual class work. Some schedules are driven by age and location and others are going fully opened with twice the number of bus trips on a split schedule. Will this work? Keeping in mind that we are about to launch the school year and encourage or compel youngsters who have been shielded from this "social mix" of contacts from different locations, each with a different contact history, we are going to "dip" them into the school pool. What will happen if the North Carolina University experience this past week repeats in schools across the nation? If you dip your kids into the pool...will they get wet?

And, if we find it necessary to quarantine and isolate school children, will that mean that their parents will also need to stay home? Will the ER or hospital care be required - for the kids? Or for family members and Granny who live with them? Does that mean that the economy takes yet another hit as parents need to be home and not at work? And, are hospitals - AGAIN - overloaded with victims of infection and extraordinary round 2 stress on medical facilities and staff???

If this happens... what impact may this development have on November 3rd voting? The election outcome?

PSYCHOTIC TRUMP swallows the Republican Senate!

OK... This is a horror story... and I pray that it will not happen as outlined above. Our nation, its children, and our future is all too precious. Still, the events in North Carolina are a sad tale... and today's reports suggest that such an outcome could happen. So, as Congressman John Lewis often said, "keep your eyes on the prize." Stay safe, wear a mask, keep social distance, wash hands... and pray for a successful vaccine - not snake oil being sold by the head CONMAN - THE MAD MONARCH TRUMP..... its BIDEN TIME!

Stay Well.... Keep the kids well too.... and VOTE!

Tick-Tock ...... November 3rd

Bobby J

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