TugHillMatt

Lol. Yes, some young people are well equipped with the skills and knowledge to start serving in society in great ways....rather than sitting at a desk for 6+ hours a day. We have already been talking about ways we are going to implement Google Classroom and other online schooling options within our in-school lesson plans for next year.

Maybe I will come up with a new Curriculum called the "Common Corona Standards."

Interesting thoughts. I'm not sure I agree with all of them...but you're right about making all the excuses. I agree that some subjects may not be as high of a priority in the education system, but I hardly think many of the subjects that teachers are passionate about teaching are BS. Much of it depends on how the teacher teaches as well. I teach my students with a passion that they can apply what they learn to their lives and the world around them. Some of what you might be referring to is an issue with Common Core Standards.

Yeah, I mentioned this week that I have seen MANY people coming out of "hibernation" this week. I think many of us Upstaters are getting increasingly restless and eager to get back into things.

There's been much talk about school districts across New York state requesting to continue schooling through the summer. I'm not sure how New Yorkers will take this. I have seen the stress it has caused on my students and especially their parents, who are trying to manage schooling for 1 to up to as many school-aged children as they have. Many of these parents have jobs they are still working too. My school jumped right into online schooling immediately (the day of) that school was shut down. It was a very tough first week, but I think we're doing well now. I teach ELA and assign 1 to 2 assignments a day. Any more than 2 and parents begin to stress and panic. Many homeschool parents do a great job...but many parents during this pandemic don't have the skills and patience for teaching subjects. One of my colleagues suggested we end school earlier this year and start up earlier in August (hopefully in person) for the next school year. I thought this was an interesting idea. I do know one thing: This has definitely caused me to think about next year and how I will be doing some tutorials with parents to help them prepare for future school closings.

Many of those democratic politicians "claim" they care about businesses needing to open back up and the economy getting better, but I have my doubts. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them would be happy with businesses failing so they can have more control of individual finances as more people rely on the government. P.S. and I have to note this any time I make a political statement because people assume "YOU STAND WITH ONE PARTY"... I do not agree either with Republicans who are like "We have the freedom to do whatever we want! 'Merica." That's just as selfish. It's all in balance.

Don't hurt your head too much.

Wow, why are some incapable of having a conversation without being so aggressive and combative. Relax. People on this board ARE NOT the problem. Just adds more toxicity to an already high-stressed society. On another note, if we continue to hibernate in our homes and lock down indefinitely to save 1 to 2 million Americans...there will be deaths in other ways. Poverty,, potential war (as was already stated), depression/suicide, increased crime, and a generally more chaotic society. Humans are a social breed and our world runs on relationships, mutual deals, service, etc... Even around here, signs are real that people are struggling and getting restless. Traffic seems to be back to where it was before this all started, people are out all over....just many seem to be being more proactive about public spacing and wearing PPEs. In a way, I think parts of Upstate New York have already started their own "back to business" practices.

Yeah, cases around here have very slowly been increasing. It's been slow enough that it hasn't put a heavy load locally. Tough to stay strong on locking things down locally for so long with minimal cases. I have seen many people supporting the local businesses in ways that they can. The restaurants doing takeout have been thanking patrons via Social Media for helping to keep them operating and looking better financially than they were expecting.

Star Wars UV Light Saber?

When everything all started going down...and working in a school...any time a colleague asked how I was doing, I told them I just wanted to spray Lysol down my throat, but then I would be dead.

It all depends on whether cases rise quickly here. The only way I see that happening is AFTER we open back up again. Really, I think Upstate is at a point where exposure and "herd mentality" is our next step.

Dude, it's politics. Democrats are FAR from innocent. Get off your "Dems are amazing" kick and recognize most of them are just as crooked.

Right now, China could just kill any random person they want...because they can...and then add it to the Covid death toll. But this sudden jump is obviously them "coming out" that this was a bigger deal than they lead on.

Oh my word, is that a long read! lol I just watched an interview with Melinda and Bill Gates and they are very eagerly supporting the WHO and encouraging others to do so. So it was interesting to read about the WHO in this light.

This. China. can. not. be. trusted. And that's no xenophobic post...

Whew, things are getting ugly in my old state of Michigan. As usual, both parties are acting obnoxiously. I personally find it just as immature all of the Nazi posts relating to Whitmer from Republicans as I do the democrats and Trump haters and all their names for him. I wish wish wish people could discuss their points without being childish with names, biting sarcasm, and patronizing tones. Checking out the signs people "made for Whitmer" all I could do was shake my head. They really think silly signs are going to change something? I think many of them have good points. Small businesses are really going through a rough time right now. Much of Michigan is similar to New York state in that most of the cases are in very specific areas of the state...not the whole state as a whole. So many towns are sitting there thinking....we could still be doing business right now. I have wondered how Upstate New Yorkers have seemed to come across as much more patient about reopening when compared to Michigan. From comments from friends there, it seems like New York state did a better job at making quick plans. Schools in Michigan are STILL not doing anything for their students. (P.S. same for my family in Tennessee. My nieces and nephew have been sitting there twiddling their thumbs.)

Glad you guys are getting some snow in snow-starved PA. Friend in DuBois shared a picture of a whiteout there. Never a good time driving on I 80 with whiteouts.

This.

I think it's going to be walking on eggshells when things open back up. People nervous and anxious about interacting with others...and others having public outbursts because their bubble will be invaded. Emotions will run high. Mental Health was in crisis before any of this even started. Florida's governor has been so insanely stubborn during this entire process. I have been baffled by some of his remarks over the past month.

Both parties suck. Plain and simple. Americans love to be on the extremes of the spectrum. It's either, "I want the government to give me everything" or "I am FREE to do whatever I want." Give me a break. Life needs a balance of things. Too much republican rule or too much democratic rule is too much of one thing. Hence why our country often doesn't have one party ruling in all parts (senate, House, SCOTUS, etc...) Since Day 1 of Trump's election, the democrats have been non-stop crying and no matter what Trump does, it's a bunch of belly-aching. He has NO TACT whatsoever and I think he is a pompous jerk, but he is the President that was elected. The Republicans have taken the other side of "we love Trump because he pisses off the democrats and doesn't let them get their own way." Way to run a great political system, America. All your bantering back and forth does NOTHING to help our country, guys. Nothing. You don't want Trump to be our President? Well how about both parties produce a VALID candidate to run for president? What a joke this next election is going to be. These, right here, are exact reasons of why I am a registered Independent. (Yeah, one of those people that the extremists in both parties label as 'weak' because I choose not to be pompous and actually look at different perspectives in politics.) We have had some great potential moderate candidates run over the years, but our country is so committed to the 2 party system that they never stand a chance. You want some change in this country? Stop being so stubbornly committed to one side of the spectrum...because odds are the most success lies somewhere in the middle.

It's the NEWEST TV SHOW! "The Masked Shopper"

My wife and I were having a discussion back in March about whether this would stay in the cells and reactivate. I know they had been saying that this mutates slowly, but we were also wondering about the possibility of a mutation and getting infected again...even if it's just a slight change. So many questions: Reactivation? Reinfection? Lack of immunity?

I have been reading some things on that this past week. It could definitely hamper any hopes of ending the lockdown "early."

Whewie! It's like Oprah..."You get money! You get money! Everyone gets MONAAAAAY!" I am not going to get into the debate of who gets or 'deserves" money (Although our essential employees are top of that list)....but all this money is coming from one place and going to another. Money is never free. The more and more I read/hear about increasing amounts of money being passed out, the more I cringe on the inside. It's going to be such a tight time of being careful with money...but at the same time we need it to keep flowing...not sit on it.