— from Justin Paulsen —
Here’s something for you to consider as people start moving out and about around town.
If you see a teacher/leader with a group of kids, understand that those groups are working hard to keep themselves, each other, and our community safe. Understand that hundreds of hours of planning have gone into creating that group. If they seem like too much to you, give them a wide berth and perhaps a wider smile. They miss seeing people’s smiles.
If you note that they are not wearing masks, understand that there are reasons and guidelines surrounding that. Understand that they are working hard to help the kids to positively adjust to our new reality. If you are dutifully wearing your mask, perhaps offer them a wave to let them know that you appreciate them.
If you note that they are walking down the street holding hands and are appalled that they are not six feet apart, close your eyes and think back to when you or your kids were young. Understand that kids thrive on contact. Human touch is powerful. It’s very likely that they won’t get within six feet of you, so perhaps take a moment and observe their joy of togetherness. Or, just leave your eyes shut a little longer… they will move out of your view soon enough.
If you notice them on a playground, understand that playgrounds are also classrooms. Kids learn on a playground, they experience success, failure and compromise, and most importantly healthy activity. It is likely they won’t be distanced and it is likely they won’t be masked, but understand the the work has been done to address this — safely.
Most of all as you see all these things, whatever you do, don’t interrupt the group with your concern. Understand everything above. Understand that the dynamics of teacher/student/group take time and energy to develop. Understand that these kids have EXACTLY the same amount of experience in living in a pandemic that you do, and like you, are finding their way. They last thing they need right now is more feelings of uncertainty, isolation, and guilt — they’ve had enough of that for a lifetime. If you really feel compelled to say something, reach out directly to the organization in charge
If we all have a little understanding of each other we might just get through this. And…
Thank you to the teachers and programs that are living this experience in real-time. You guys are heros for sure.
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Thank you Justin.
Hi, Justin. Hi, Joyce. How has it been decided to conduct teaching programs outdoors in close and intimate proximity? There is at least one biological hypothesis that the SARS-CoV-2 may adapt toward easier transmission in sunshine if it gets repeated chances. Distancing in sunshine seems to allow dropping the mask, but not the distance.
I agree that pre-adults have critical developmental needs! I was hoping that last term’s closure would be a shared void in the educational continuum, to the tune of about 10 weeks.
But the powers that be have really no better near-term outlook than before on any practical management of the pandemic other than biting the bullet of herd immunity. Are we there?
Paige-
In response to your questions, I would encourage you to talk to Amber. In the interim, it is important to remember that at NO POINT in the shut down did Washington State close child care facilities. In fact, they encouraged them to stay open. Our local childcare facilities all closed out of an abundance of caution for the health of our communities.
The practices that are currently in place are distinctly aimed at sanitation, group-size limitations an non-mixing of groups. Thousands of dollars has been dedicated to sanitation practices, Air purification systems, reconfiguration of indoor and outdoor classroom spaces and a near doubling of staff to keep groups under the maximum size of 10 (including staff).
It is widely recognized and acknowledged within the Early Childhood Education Community as well as at the Department of Health that distancing of young children is simply not achievable on a reliable basis. Thus, the restrictions fall towards limiting group-size and mixing. Maintaining family units within groups also limits exposure as any outside disease vector point is diminished from the factor of 10 incrementally based on family members within the group.
What must be understood is that there is no “absolutely safe” system. That involves complete isolation and a return to full quarantine for what could be years. The systems in place are hundreds of policies attempting to be “as safe as possible”.
I have complete faith in your statements and compliance, thanks! I agree and in fact co-invented, “There is no safe system!” Blessed with a pandemic that so far affects most consistently older people like me, I have been friendly toward—although spared so far—an open approach aimed mostly at the sake of the herd. Still looking for principles here. Thank you.