The Buzz in My Brain
I have decided this week that I hate the 24-hour news cycle. The hysteria that journalists are whipping us into is crazy. Let's take a deep breath and remember actual crises like the Puerto Rican Earthquakes and Hurricanes. How much attention did that get when an entire island was destroyed and almost every citizen was fighting for their lives.
To put it in perspective here are some numbers. The infection rate is as of 1:00 pm today. There are 6.902 million people living in our state (2018). 130 people are directly impacted by this virus. Rounding up to 7,000,000 that leaves 6,999,870 of us not infected
In Boston, the population is 685,904 (2017) that leaves 685,882 of us not infected
To put it in perspective here are some numbers. The infection rate is as of 1:00 pm today. There are 6.902 million people living in our state (2018). 130 people are directly impacted by this virus. Rounding up to 7,000,000 that leaves 6,999,870 of us not infected
In Boston, the population is 685,904 (2017) that leaves 685,882 of us not infected
COVID-19
Here is what I know about COVID 19, Boston and BPS:
There are 22 cases of COVID in Boston. None of which are a case of community transmission.
There are 108 Cases in Massachusetts in Western Mass there are cases of community transmission.
Community transmission means that the source of the contamination is unknown or can not be definitively traced. Cases identified as community transition are more likely to spread.
Close contact with an infected person is defined as standing within 6 feet of the person for 15 minutes or more.
The mayor has publicly said that we will be in session on Monday and perhaps for part of next week. According to all sources he has consulted, scientists and medical professionals the safest place for our children is in school with limited contact from outsiders not in the child's immediate family.
This situation changes hour by hour and I would recommend that you check your email this weekend for updates. I have received three different pieces of information since 1:00 (Which is something I generally discourage.)
The level of planning required to close our schools is much more complicated than a suburban district. We need to have a mindful plan that addresses the inequities that many of our students face. It is not that we value our students less that closure is taking longer. It is actually the opposite.
If you want to do something to prepare for a possible closing, I would think about what type of work would be best sent home for your students. Would they do best with familiar online platforms, work packets that would last for approximately two weeks a combination of both? Some examples are provided as links in the document listed below. I have a feeling I will need to ask you for this in the near future.
The district has issued this document to schools with steps that must be completed by Wednesday.
I am asking each of you to fill out this chart so I have baseline data from which to start.
Here are some documents that you may find useful in answering lingering questions:
3. 13. 20 BPS General Fact Sheet
All Leader Q&A - Update on COVID-19 for CO
There are 22 cases of COVID in Boston. None of which are a case of community transmission.
There are 108 Cases in Massachusetts in Western Mass there are cases of community transmission.
Community transmission means that the source of the contamination is unknown or can not be definitively traced. Cases identified as community transition are more likely to spread.
Close contact with an infected person is defined as standing within 6 feet of the person for 15 minutes or more.
The mayor has publicly said that we will be in session on Monday and perhaps for part of next week. According to all sources he has consulted, scientists and medical professionals the safest place for our children is in school with limited contact from outsiders not in the child's immediate family.
This situation changes hour by hour and I would recommend that you check your email this weekend for updates. I have received three different pieces of information since 1:00 (Which is something I generally discourage.)
The level of planning required to close our schools is much more complicated than a suburban district. We need to have a mindful plan that addresses the inequities that many of our students face. It is not that we value our students less that closure is taking longer. It is actually the opposite.
If you want to do something to prepare for a possible closing, I would think about what type of work would be best sent home for your students. Would they do best with familiar online platforms, work packets that would last for approximately two weeks a combination of both? Some examples are provided as links in the document listed below. I have a feeling I will need to ask you for this in the near future.
The district has issued this document to schools with steps that must be completed by Wednesday.
I am asking each of you to fill out this chart so I have baseline data from which to start.
Here are some documents that you may find useful in answering lingering questions:
3. 13. 20 BPS General Fact Sheet
All Leader Q&A - Update on COVID-19 for CO
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