Health officers and superintendents in six Bay Area counties announced an extension Wednesday of the region’s school closure through May 1 to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The closure extension will affect schools overseen by the Alameda County Office of Education, Contra Costa County Office of Education, Marin County Office of Education, San Francisco Unified School District, San Mateo County Office of Education and the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
The earliest the students can go back is Monday May 4, which is exactly one month before summer break in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District.
The extension is intended to build on the Bay Area’s shelter-in-place order issued March 16 to contain the virus’ spread. Gov. Gavin Newsom has warned that the statewide shelter-in-place order could also last into the summer.
“We will continue to take all necessary steps to prepare schools for reopening,” said Santa Clara County Office of Education Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan. “Meanwhile, it is absolutely crucial that we work together to slow the spread of (coronavirus), by adhering to the shelter-in-place orders and continuing to support learning at home.”
Officials in the counties also reminded residents to engage in risk-reduction and wellness practices such as washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, avoiding handshakes and touching of the face and exercising regularly.
So how are parents who if they do not work, do not get paid supposed to care for their children for another 5 weeks?
How bout we wait for the results of SIP before we make these type of decisions with such large ramifications?
Already LA County is saying that Coronavirus did NOT cause the death of the teenager. Italy is saying that they have misdiagnosed ~75% of the SARS2 deaths. With this new information, is that being considered?
I am not saying that we should not close the schools but provide us some information as to WHY this decision is being made. Provide us results of our efforts so far. This decision will bankrupt small companies and many families. How many families have enough liquid savings to cover their expenses through May 1 without working?
I think this decision was made much to fast ….
It is dangerous to put our children back in school and at risk of contacting this virus and spreading it to others. For those that need help with childcare you can speak to your school about after school care. Many work with parents on a sliding scale. If that is not an option for you than you can apply with the EDD for benefits while you are home with the children. You have options.
Please don’t spread misinformation. It can be really dangerous and put people’s lives in danger. We are on an order to stay at home so we don’t all get sick at once and exacerbate our over impact our hospitals. Coronavirus has not been misdiagnosed in Italy. And we are 11 days behind their response and still do not have this under control. In fact looking at Italy quite possible is a glimpse into our future. I hope you do a little more research into this. Please be well and I hope your family stays safe and healthy.
Diana
What misinformation am I spreading?
Daycares are closed. YMCA after school care is closed.
Italy .. take a read https://www.cebm.net/global-covid-19-case-fatality-rates/. They are saying that 88% of the people that they claimed to have died from Coronavirus, did not.
Look LA county teen dead of Cornoavirus on Google.
Research, that is my job. Data is what we should live on … not fear mongering and panic.
I am very concerned for your kid’s future. As an adult you shouldn’t sit and wait for change but go find another way to make income. Safeway is hiring, Wholefoods, WinCo, you can do side jobs, phew the list is endless but instead you are complaining and posting irrelevent stuff about the schools opening or continuing. How about leading a situation by example. Yes I made a whole account just to reply to you. Stay safe, stay clean, and be precautious! You can do this and find a way to cope and overcome the discomfort!
Hacker
My job is almost fully remote. My wife and I have created a class schedule for our children that starts at 0810 and ends at 1405 every day. They have 45 minute blocks of time with a 5 minute passing period, one 15 minute recess and 35 minutes for lunch. This includes a daily allotment of Physical Education. If they do not complete their daily assignments, they do it for homework that day.
Not sure why you are concerned for them.
Not sure why you find my comments irrelevant. I asked for data as to why this decision has been made. I posted a response to the topic with facts. I supported those facts in my initial response to Diana.
I am sheltering in place to the best of my ability, though I have been out several days for County defined essential duties. I am also a classified as essential personnel based on my volunteer work in Emergency Services.
So yes, I am currently leading by example. Thanks for asking and confirming! Much appreciated Hacker.
Sorry, but it is not up to the school system to care for (or provide meals for) your children. That is the parents’ job.
Unemployment will be paid 100% for 4 months if the Senate Republicans would hurry up and pass the House Bill.
Don’t spread fake news.
A whois search of that website you linked shows it’s registered to an unknown owner in China by the Alibaba domain service.
Thank you @parent. Totally agree
@AwesomeMom……..Trump didn’t say he was going to open up everything by Easter. He did not make that decision as you stated. Trump said he WANTED to open up, but that he and the task force will go over all data and decide what is next. We don’t need folks like you and others on here spreading lies, whether those lies are about Trump or anything or anyone else.
Awesome Mom
I think you are right with the knee jerk reaction … Yes safety is paramount.
@ Devin
Fake .. not quite sure where you get that data. The website I posted has been around for many years as is well respected by a variety of learning institutions. I don’t know who the owner is … and really do not care because I have found it to be a reputable source for some time now.
Actually Diana, you need to do your research. You are a few days behind what FACTUAL news is actually out there today. The response from parent is spot on. I only hope that the school district is responsible and smart enough to move the date earlier when things improve. And they will improve. Sooner than most people think. The media and politicians want to keep you scared.
Stop spreading fake news.
That link “parent” showed doesn’t even have any information about who they are, who funds them.
A whois search shows is registered to an unknown owner in China by the Alibaba domain service.
I would hope these people who are not used to having their children at home are not taking or showing their anger at their children. It’s not their fault.
Please try to be positive at home. I know it’s hard. But I remember when I was little my dad lost his job and I was five or six. I really felt his pain having to support his wife and four young children. But eventually things worked out and we were “not in the poor house” for long.
As an adult I probably save too much and don’t spend money on traveling or fancy cars, or fancy dinners. But I have never suffered FOMO.
Take one day at a time. Reach out to trusted family members and friends, by phone, of course. And appreciate that no one in your family has this awful virus. A virus that has proven deadly to many.
When the schools do open let’s hope parents keep their children home when they are sick. Too many parents sent their children to school when thay are sick.
Let’s hope when we go back to school parents give teachers the respect they deserve!
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, right?
Colleges & Universities on the semester system (Spring 2020 ends mid May) are distance learning. But those on the quarter system which ends in late June are preparing right now to do the whole quarter with distance learning.
K-12 has been following the curve set by Higher Ed. It would be best for your family to be prepared.