Thumbs up, thumbs down
Thumbs down to the necessity of closing Norwalk summer school its first week after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus on the second day of in-person classes at Norwalk High School. A state Department of Education official identified the person as a district staff member who had been in close contact with about six people, who now must quarantine for 14 days. The district did the right step by suspending in-person classes so the school could be deeply cleaned, but the situation illustrates the challenges of re-opening all school sites in the fall.
Thumbs down, however, to indications that Connecticut residents are becoming a little careless about protecting themselves and others against the coronavirus. Gov. Ned Lamont said “I’m a relatively tough grader. I think a month ago I gave us more of a A-minus. “Today I think it’s more like a B-plus.” We may be tougher graders than the governor. If anything, Connecticut never seemed to reached “A” status, and is hovering closer to a C-plus/B-minute grade these days. It’s understandable that everyone is weary of social distancing and wearing masks, but this is a time to summon resolve.
Thumbs up to the Ridgefield Historical Society for having the foresight to record how the coronavirus pandemic has affected people’s lives in various ways. The stories, found in the society’s COVID-19 Archival Project, can be a resource for researchers some day while documenting these extraordinary times. Other towns ought to follow the Ridgefield initiative, but people can also detail life through personal daily journals.
Thumbs up to the resurgence in Connecticut residents riding bicycles since the start of the pandemic. Yes, there’s a dark irony in such a healthy activity resulting from COVID-19, but this is not only good for the industry, but hopefully will spur people to keep riding for years to come. Notably, local bike shops are getting work repairing bikes that haven’t been serviced in decades.
Thumbs down to child vaccinations plummeting during the pandemic. The Connecticut Department of Public Health distributed 39,140 fewer vaccine doses to medical providers in April, which represents a 43percent decrease from the previous April. Comparing Mays, 32,908 fewer doses were recorded. The figures are somewhat understandable given these were the first weeks of the crisis, but hopefully families will catch up in weeks to come.
Thumbs down to a spike in the number of jobless claims in the state in the first week of July. The U.S. Department of Labor reported 2,200 more Connecticut residents filing claims during the week compared with the last week of June. That puts the state’s unemployment rate at 15 percent (about 253,000 people), which is the eighth highest in the nation. With several factors contributing to delays in the launch of Phase 3 of Connecticut’s reopening, these figures will not improve as quickly as hoped a month or so ago.
Thumbs down to reports that internet access remains a barrier to some children taking part in distance learning, which looks to be a serious concern as a new school year approaches in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Even with plans announced that could allow all students to return to school in Connecticut full time, there will necessarily be backup plans in case of an outbreak or if the currently envisioned system just doesn’t work. Online learning could easily be a part of our educational future this fall, and it is vital that all students have a chance to take part to the fullest.