A look at the struggles that Covid aware parents (and children) are facing as we head into another school year. The increase in bullying, peer pressure and mocking for masking is a BIG problem.
Thank you for saying - that’s an incredibly kind vote of confidence!
I haven’t tried letters to the editor - but I know others have and haven’t had much luck. Most newspapers are not interested in publishing Covid related pieces anymore - and many are actively downplaying the situation. It’s one of the reasons I started my own publication - so I could say what I want without someone asking me to adjust the messaging to make it more “palatable”.
“If someone is willing and able to mask that behaviour should be encouraged. They’re breaking chains of transmission.”
This is an important point. I shared photos of a respirator that people can use in areas where masks are banned. I don’t remember the details of it but I think it was just some little nostril tubes so you could get clean air through your nose.
Someone popped in to complain that it would only protect me. Ok? And? If I don’t catch Covid I can’t spread Covid. Why wouldn’t I protect myself?
That’s exactly it! I don’t understand why people don’t understand that. Even if you’re only protecting yourself - that STILL de facto protects others because if you never get Covid you can’t spread Covid.
Well said. Seems like there's less and less compassion and understanding in the world with each passing day, and fewer decent role models for kids. I worry about future generations too.
Have they actually removed the peanut ban or was that just proposed? Seems like a strange about face on something that's been around for ages now.
Thank you for reading - and I agree that compassion seems hard to find these days. The example we are setting for kids is something we should all be concerned about - as they really do pay attention to everything.
I believe the peanut ban was set to be revoked this school year - but I shall double check!
I’ve been pushing my kid’s school to take clean air more seriously. I know the classrooms have hepa filters, I know many of them are not on. It’s been both surprising (and not) how difficult it’s been to build momentum even within the parent community to push the school admin (who work in the building! With lots of kids who are just breathing all over the place! Who will sometimes get sent to school sick because parents sometimes have no choice! Because kids are vectors for all sorts of gross weird stuff! I feel like admin should be so so into this!)
I think a lot of it is that we’re (parents/guardians) all so tired, physically, mentally, there’s so much worrying to be done that it can overwhelm. There’s also being worried about rocking the boat with kids’ teachers and principal. It’s deeply demoralizing to be met with resistance to actually doing something to protect these kids.
Will say I’m so grateful that my kid’s individual teacher was very welcoming of my concerns and actually figured out how to get the hepa in their classroom running.
Thank you for fighting for clean air - and I’m sorry you have to fight! I think it’s awful that we didn’t immediately upgrade air quality and ventilation in schools. As you said - sometimes parents have no choice but to send a kid to school. Kids are little germ factories (and always have been lol) so clean air just makes sense.
All too often I hear of parents donating HEPA filters or CR boxes and they don’t even get run. Clean air is ALL upside. It’s not just Covid - it helps with so many other things. It’s strange to me that there’s so much opposition.
I have been following you on Twitter but didn’t know you were here until my feed delivered this excellent piece today- it’s sadly resonant with an essay I just published this weekend that speaks to some of the “WHY” we have taken this route
👏🏻 thank you! I could mot agree more! I rarely use it and even small comments I’ve made on occasional threads release the trolls, so I cannot imagine the trolling experience with a large account. It is so healing to
have spaces like this and without a doubt we need it more than ever.
It’s awful - and then I end up feeling guilty because I miss people’s genuine comments. But there’s days I just can’t scroll 200+ nasty comments to get to the genuine ones.
That’s why I love it here - I can be confident I won’t miss a comment! I do wish they would do more to combat the trolling in the other place though.
You make very valid points and this should be getting out to more people. It’s tragic that that girl was bullied into removing her mask and now her mother is dead. Have you thought about sending in letters to the editors of major newspapers? You are an excellent writer and the public is not understanding what is happening.
So strange - I was sure I replied to this earlier but now I don’t see it! Sorry about that!
Thank you so much for the kind comment - I really appreciate it. I haven’t tried any newspapers as I know most don’t want to publish Covid stuff - I know some journalists have been told to tone down the messaging. That’s one of the reasons I started my own publication - so I could write the way I wanted to.
Thank you for saying - that’s an incredibly kind vote of confidence!
I haven’t tried letters to the editor - but I know others have and haven’t had much luck. Most newspapers are not interested in publishing Covid related pieces anymore - and many are actively downplaying the situation. It’s one of the reasons I started my own publication - so I could say what I want without someone asking me to adjust the messaging to make it more “palatable”.
“If someone is willing and able to mask that behaviour should be encouraged. They’re breaking chains of transmission.”
This is an important point. I shared photos of a respirator that people can use in areas where masks are banned. I don’t remember the details of it but I think it was just some little nostril tubes so you could get clean air through your nose.
Someone popped in to complain that it would only protect me. Ok? And? If I don’t catch Covid I can’t spread Covid. Why wouldn’t I protect myself?
That’s exactly it! I don’t understand why people don’t understand that. Even if you’re only protecting yourself - that STILL de facto protects others because if you never get Covid you can’t spread Covid.
Well said. Seems like there's less and less compassion and understanding in the world with each passing day, and fewer decent role models for kids. I worry about future generations too.
Have they actually removed the peanut ban or was that just proposed? Seems like a strange about face on something that's been around for ages now.
Thank you for reading - and I agree that compassion seems hard to find these days. The example we are setting for kids is something we should all be concerned about - as they really do pay attention to everything.
I believe the peanut ban was set to be revoked this school year - but I shall double check!
Also want to say I’m grateful for all your writing. Helps folks who continue to notice there’s still a pandemic on feel more connected.
Thank you! I’m glad to help in some small way.
I’ve been pushing my kid’s school to take clean air more seriously. I know the classrooms have hepa filters, I know many of them are not on. It’s been both surprising (and not) how difficult it’s been to build momentum even within the parent community to push the school admin (who work in the building! With lots of kids who are just breathing all over the place! Who will sometimes get sent to school sick because parents sometimes have no choice! Because kids are vectors for all sorts of gross weird stuff! I feel like admin should be so so into this!)
I think a lot of it is that we’re (parents/guardians) all so tired, physically, mentally, there’s so much worrying to be done that it can overwhelm. There’s also being worried about rocking the boat with kids’ teachers and principal. It’s deeply demoralizing to be met with resistance to actually doing something to protect these kids.
Will say I’m so grateful that my kid’s individual teacher was very welcoming of my concerns and actually figured out how to get the hepa in their classroom running.
Thank you for fighting for clean air - and I’m sorry you have to fight! I think it’s awful that we didn’t immediately upgrade air quality and ventilation in schools. As you said - sometimes parents have no choice but to send a kid to school. Kids are little germ factories (and always have been lol) so clean air just makes sense.
All too often I hear of parents donating HEPA filters or CR boxes and they don’t even get run. Clean air is ALL upside. It’s not just Covid - it helps with so many other things. It’s strange to me that there’s so much opposition.
I have been following you on Twitter but didn’t know you were here until my feed delivered this excellent piece today- it’s sadly resonant with an essay I just published this weekend that speaks to some of the “WHY” we have taken this route
https://open.substack.com/pub/heartsonthehorizon/p/the-intellectual-virus-fueling-americas?r=5j8c3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Hello! Thank you for commenting! If you’re comfortable you can share your Twitter handle so I can make sure we’re connected there too.
I’ve had a heck of a time getting the word out to my followers - that site seems to suppress any mention of substack. I’m so glad you found me!
Sorry I missed this comment- still getting used to the app 🫠 @rebekahrachel1 on Twitter. I’m so glad I found you here as well!
Found and followed! I’m spending more time here and less time there - and I think it’s been very good for my mental health.
Though I still think that place can be good for reaching people and community building - I just wish there wasn’t so much trolling.
👏🏻 thank you! I could mot agree more! I rarely use it and even small comments I’ve made on occasional threads release the trolls, so I cannot imagine the trolling experience with a large account. It is so healing to
have spaces like this and without a doubt we need it more than ever.
It’s awful - and then I end up feeling guilty because I miss people’s genuine comments. But there’s days I just can’t scroll 200+ nasty comments to get to the genuine ones.
That’s why I love it here - I can be confident I won’t miss a comment! I do wish they would do more to combat the trolling in the other place though.
You make very valid points and this should be getting out to more people. It’s tragic that that girl was bullied into removing her mask and now her mother is dead. Have you thought about sending in letters to the editors of major newspapers? You are an excellent writer and the public is not understanding what is happening.
So strange - I was sure I replied to this earlier but now I don’t see it! Sorry about that!
Thank you so much for the kind comment - I really appreciate it. I haven’t tried any newspapers as I know most don’t want to publish Covid stuff - I know some journalists have been told to tone down the messaging. That’s one of the reasons I started my own publication - so I could write the way I wanted to.