Last year at this time we wondered if there would be a vaccine to protect adults from hospitalization, lingering death, and possible chronic health effects from catching Covid-19. Schools prudently shut down face-to-face classrooms and went virtual – and proved it was a viable temporary solution for educating students.
This year, a vaccine for adults has been developed and distributed to millions; however we still don’t have a viable vaccine for youngsters. We also now have to worry about the super-contagious Delta variant of the virus. We’ve proven we can educate via virtual classrooms; yet we are sending our futures back to school, face-to-face, with face mask mandates.
Sacrificial lambs
shake flimsy fluff from their heads –
dark clouds overhead.
If you click on the link at the ignorani’s image, it will take you to an article about where the Governor of Michigan stands on mask mandates.
Frank J. Tassone is today’s host for dVerse’ Haibun Monday. Frank says:
Whether you begin a new school year yourself, you send your first (or last) to college, or you recall your own back to school adventures, write your haibun alluding to back to school!
Tao Talk 
The Delta variant does cast an ominous shadow on returning to school this year. The antics of the ignorant exacerbate the situation, which your haibun evokes ever so skillfully.
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Thank you very much, Frank.
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So different from country to country. We never closed the schools without masks all through the pandemic… and till today very few children have been severely sick… if all adult takes the vaccine children will be safe I think.
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Bjorn, they estimate 40% of adults in Michigan (at least) are refusing the vaccine.
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We are not completely through, but I expect 10 percent might refuse and an additional 10 percent are lazy. Among the elderly we are at 90 percent fully vaccinated.
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If only the vast number of ill-informed adults would get the vaccine, the spread of the variant would be curtailed as well.
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If only…
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You touch on one of the grimmest facts about going back to school today. Delta is the pack of hyenas who come in for the kill when we are most vulnerable. History will not be forgiving.
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We may have no history in the future, Glenn, or none to speak of, as only the trees will remain as silent witnesses.
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Children have so much more issues to face because of the pandemic. And parents more respondibility to ease stresses.
Thats the way of todays World.
Happy Monday and thank you for dropping by my blog today
Much❤love
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100% in agreement. The responsibility is 100% in the parents’ hands.
You are very welcome, Gillena ❤
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So much controversy with education. It always seems to hover around wanting to do what’s best for our children. We are fortunate that worldwide children continue to survive the virus, even in its new forms, but the long-term health risks remain largely unknown. Unfortunately, from what I’ve seen with my own children and students, online school is a band-aid at best. As an educator and mom, I am torn between whether kids should stay home or return to school; masks, I feel, should be mandatory. Thanks for being brave enough to take on this issue. Much to talk about concerning how we move forward as a species balancing safety and well-being to do what’s best.
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Thank you for your thoughtful, diplomatic comment, Karen. I appreciate you thinking I’m brave to take on the issue, but I have no kids of school age and am only risking an opinion here.
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You’re welcome, Lisa. Many are unwilling to chime in. Here’s to conversations continuing. our kids (and future) are worth it.
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I agree it’s a hot topic and appreciate your chiming in.
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These are dangerous fools who would put their own children at risk.
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Sadje, whatever the rationalization on one side of the equation, on the other side is possible devastating illness and/or death. I just don’t see them adding up 😦 My heart breaks.
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Yes, exactly! It is very unfortunate that people cannot use their brains to do the logical thing
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Excellent piece Lisa. The prompt just triggered the current anger snd disbelief I am unable to shake.
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Thank you, Rob. It is a real mindbender that the kids are being put in such danger 😦
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Excellent piece Lisa. The prompt just triggered the current anger snd disbelief I am unable to shake.
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Opening schools is not a wise decision at all. They are putting so many innocent lives at risk.
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😦 Yes
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A great Haibun Lisa! It is sad when our children end up in the middle of adult controversies! The choices are not easy to make on either side. I am hoping kids can make it through a full school year together, although no one knows!
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Children are always the ones who suffer from poor adult choices. You are more optimistic than I am in these circumstances. It’s almost as if circumstances couldn’t be worse for kids to return to school. I started thinking about your poem last night, where you advocate their return to school because they need hands-on learning. Since when have kids been denied a chance to have hands-on learning? They could grow marigolds in cups at home. Their parents could step up and teach them things or they could learn hands-on projects together.
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Thank you Lisa! Although our view of kids back are different. I do agree with you that parents could stimulate hands on learning at home if the choose to do so. I wonder how many parents would take the time and trouble to do so? I guess the same could be true of teachers as well. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. There are not easy solutions it seems.
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You’re welcome, Dwight, and thank you for your thoughtful comment.
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You are welcome Lisa!
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I understand where you’re coming from, Lisa.
❤
David
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Thanks, David ❤
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You know me Lisa. I’m not a liberal or conservative. No, I don’t think they should open the schools…they should have spent the summer developing a good solid virtual class environment. I don’t like that option but it’s the safest one even with the masks and vaccines in play…whether people believe in them or not.
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Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Max. Yes, they should have.
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Thanks Lisa…
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You’re welcome.
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