After Education Secretary Betsy DeVoss remarked that schools should reopen, the left-wing news media and leading Democrats went on the attack to criticize her. ABC, NBC, ABC, WAPO, and People magazine lambasted her.
Attacking The Messenger, Ignoring The Message
A notable critic is Lexington, Kentucky school principal Gerry Brooks. In a video ‘selfie’ Mr. Brooks mocks Betsy DeVoss as unqualified to suggest reopening of public schools.
By no means do I denounce Principal Brooks; I challenge his qualifications on the health and welfare of public school students. Instead of Mr. Brooks, I look to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield. Here his public statement in the video below.
Misplaced Fear
Should parents fear for the lives of their children returning to school at this time? What is are the risks to their health and wellbeing? Where does COVID-19 rank in the causes of the deaths of public school students? Why would the CDC director say children are safer at school than at home?
It is worth noting that the Director did not say the children would be perfectly safe back in school, he said they would be SAFER.
Let’s put the facts in perspective. First, what are the major causes of death for school-age children?
Unintentional injuries—such as those caused by burns, drowning, falls, poisoning and road traffic—are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children in the United States. Each year, among those 0 to 19 years of age, more than 12,000 people die from unintentional injuries and more than 9.2 million are treated in emergency departments for nonfatal injuries.
CDC Childhood Injury Report, 2008
Focusing on the age 10 years and older, the number one leading cause of death is unintentional injuries (accidents), not COVID-19. The second leading cause of death in this age group is SUICIDE, not COVID-19 or any other airborne pathogen. The third leading cause of death in this age group is HOMICIDE, not COVID-19.
I know parents whose sons have commited suicide. They will tell you suicide is NOT painless.
What’s The Cure?
There are specific technologies, most in place to one extent or another, at all public schools in Texas. Proper application and slight modifications can render any enclosed public building free of all viruses, harmful bacteria, and other pathogens.
I await an opportunity to present a case for schools continuously and invisibly sanitized. In fact, the opportunity is to eliminate or limit absenteeism due to colds and influenza.
The Big Idea is to minimize, to prevent youth suicides due to loss of social connectedness.
Small thinking is not the cure. The six-foot ‘social distancing’ is obviously not practical in a classroom setting and it is important to know it is also not a mandate from Governor Abbott whose proclamation of June 22, 2020, states:
“Every person in Texas shall wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when inside a commercial entity or other building or space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public space, wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household...”
How can I help you?
John N. White
John N. White 