YOUR VIEWS This week’s question: What suggestions would you give to local school officials as they debate how to proceed during the pandemic?
The Buzz is a weekly question on an issue affecting the residents of Hampton Roads.
First, determine when vaccinations are available to students and teachers. Second, contact trace COVID-19 cases among the student population. Third, wear masks. Four, practice social distancing at class. Five, when back to normal, ban spitballs aimed at the teacher.
Robert Neely, Newport News
Continue with online instruction and follow Dr. Fauci’s directions. This coronavirus is not over. All human beings of every age are vulnerable. Do the right thing for us all.
Toni Beacham, Williamsburg
Communication is key. The more information and clarity provided to the parents and staff the more prepared they will be and less anxiety they will feel.
Get your story straight before communicating and providing information. Make sure all the decision-makers are on the same page and the information is uniform.
Sheri Newcomb, Newport News
Visit any big-box store or supermarket. Notice all the employees who showed up for work serving hundreds of customers. Not showing up meant not getting paid. Why do education associations balk at teachers (paid whether they go into school or not) going into classrooms of a few dozen children?
Don Vtipil, Norfolk
Work from the bottom up. Check with the students, the staff (that keeps everything clean), the teachers, the parents, the local health department, the state and federal health professionals, then maybe the president.
Mike Brewer, Hampton
The recent COVID-19 outbreaks in some Chesapeake City Public Schools have documented student-to-student transmission at even the elementary school level. Local school officials need to be completely transparent regarding mitigation measures and the actions to respond to in-school transmission. The extent and impact of both staff and student quarantines needs to be made available on district dashboards.
Tom Banford, Chesapeake
The local school systems need to open up. Look at St Mary’s School in Phoebus. Never closed or shut down one day and guess what? No problems. Only a tiny percentage of people who contract the virus perish. Put the kids back at their desks. Wear masks and use a lot of sanitizer. Courage.
Melinda Webb, Hampton
Go by state and local data regarding in-person and online learning. I hate to see the kids and parents jerked back and forth from week to week. I think it is important to keep K-8 in-person if possible. I feel badly for the school officials. It is a no-win position. Everyone should pray for them to have great wisdom.
Joyce Southern, Newport News
I would request that teachers hang on a little bit longer. Please offer virtual tutoring to students. I want to thank teachers for all that they do. As a child, I dreamed of being a teacher, but I realized that I did not have the “calling.” It’s a good thing that you do.
Marie Whytsell, Hampton
School boards need to understand that though children do not usually get sick from COVID-19, some have gotten very sick, and some have even died. Children can transmit the disease to others such as school staff and faculty. With vaccines arriving soon, my suggestion to school boards is to follow the science, not emotion.
Talbot N. Vivian, DHA, Yorktown
Make decisions for what is best for the children.
Ross Kearney, Hampton
Next week’s question: Do you think the Electoral College remains the best way to choose the president or should the nation use the popular vote or another system to select the chief executive?
Want to participate in The Buzz? Email letters@pilotonline.com to respond to this week’s question, propose a question or to join The Buzz mailing list. Include your first and last name and city of residence. Responses should be no more than 50 words and must be received by Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. Answers may be edited.