Archive: Opinions

As Governor Cuomo is about to announce how or whether schools will reopen in New York, I say don't do it.  Do kids want to see eachother?  Yes.  Do Kids learn better in social envorionments?  Yes.  Do parents need a place for children to go so they can go to work?  Yes.  Shouldn't we open our schools as soon as we can?

	This week I'm saying don't read what I have to say.  Instead click here for a school superintendent's view of reopening in this COVID crisis.

No.  COVID-19 is being contained in New York State as compared to other states, that's true.  So far there have been 32,413 of them in New York, The question is, do you want your kid to be one of them?  Or their teacher?  Or you?  Do we act on wishful thinking or deal with some discomfort and inconvenience until there is an actual vaccine or cure for this thing?

New research has shown that 78% of patients who have recovered from COVID-19 show evidence of heart damage, possibly long-term.    So in addition to death, the disease can cause serious problems in life.  Dramatic spikes in the south and mid-west are bound to find their way back to us, especially as business and college travelers return to Tompkins County.

All that said, I'm going to get off my soap box and refer you to this Washington post editorial, which is actually a message from Arizona school superintendent Jeff Gregorich, "who says of reopening, "I'm sorry, but it's a fantasy."  He has already lost a teacher to COVID, and school hasn't even opened yet.  If he doesn't reopen he will be penalized in reduced state aid.  If he does reopen he fears more deaths.  Sophie's choice?

At Monday's Village of Lansing Trustees meeting Mayor Donald Hartill worried that the pandemic-rules allowing open meetings in the state to be held online may be expiring.  He and other trustees said that the online format has been working quite well, and none were anxious to go back to in-person meetings, especially because so many people who attend their meetings are in an especially vulnerable age group.

I would like nothing better than to get back to normal life.  I'd like to see my kids (who live in two of the most virally infected states).  I'd like to see people.  Wouldn't that be great?  Still I think my kids would be mightily annoyed with me if I stupidly exposed myself to the coronavirus simply because I wish it would go away.  Anyone who thinks it's OK to risk it needs a reality check.  Lets hope it doesn't take more deaths and long-lasting illnesses to provide it.

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