Return To School Pandemic Stress Is Here To Stay, Dads!
© Pojoslaw
We are now back in the new school year, in the face of fear and concern about the safety of schools in the face of the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, flu season and the oncoming winter. As a parent these days, you are constantly having to weigh up the possibility of finding the best available education from your child against the difficult decision to send your child to school with the present risks of COVID-19 transmission.
In many countries, education and health authorities have failed to give proper, or sometimes any guidance as to how educational facilities can take precautions against the transmission of the diseases, and to reopen safely.
Some of our readers in Canada have already taken the precaution of placing their children in the more flexible environment of Canadian Accredited Independent Schools, which provide flexible learning and qualifications which are recognized worldwide. The other advantage is that with the severe winters, the boarding schools help avoid the risks of infection caused by commuting and regular travel.
One of the problems in the USA is that there is poor coordination between the Center For Disease Control (CDC) and many state governments. For example Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has repeatedly resisted and belittled the CDC’s mandates on masks and social distancing, and stated recently “[Closures] don’t do anything to mitigate [COVID-19], but they do cause catastrophic damage to the physical, mental and social well-being of our youth.”
Aside from this approach being reckless, and being completely against the face of the CDC’s scientific advice, his state remains one of the worst affected states in the USA, with outbreaks escalating in schools as at the date of this post. Several schools have been forced to close and several public school authorities have reinstated shutdowns for a number of weeks to allow for quarantine of infected students and staff.
By contrast, many dental practices, like Startsmilingdentalimplantcenters.com have adhered to the CDC’s Guidance for Dental Settings which sets out the steps that responsible dentists should take to protect their staff and patients, with clear recommendations, which include:
infection prevention and control
signage to encourage proper social distancing
monitoring of staff health and fitness to work
implementation of universally applicable mask and face covering guidelines
handwashing hygiene procedures
proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Contrast this to Gov. DeSantis constant undermining of the education and health authority guidelines, and deliberate mishandling of lockdown procedures, despite the fact that in the third week of October 2020, The Florida Department of Health on Tuesday reported a total of 64,011 cases of COVID-19 in children less than 18 years old. That includes 807 hospitalizations and nine deaths.
Little wonder that us dads are worried, no?
What Can Dads Do To Protect Kids Who Are Back At School?
Educate, educate, educate! As much as we would like to shield our youngsters from the harsh realities of the pandemic and the misery it has inflicted across the world, the best way to protect them is to be that example of social responsibility, by following sensible precautions to avoid spreading the virus, such as mask wearing, handwashing and social distancing.
Make sure that your kids’ school is following CDC guidelines, and do not be afraid to ask, and if necessary, take your local state and federal representatives to task if they are derelict in their duty to protect their constituents – it’s their job, and your right to expect it.
If you see that your children follow the rules and understand the reasons for them, then why not reward their effort, and take them out for a special trip, get them a gift or maybe even let them choose something special from Simply Whispers earrings for kids, to give them something to remember these crazy times they are enduring.
With effort, patience and encouragement, you will be able to keep your kids and your family and friends safe whilst we ride this COVID-19 pandemic out. Take care out there.