Snow days important during COVID-19

Students deserve snow days during this COVID-19 pandemic that has forced remote learning.

As vaccinations ramp to stop a virus that has claimed more than 320,000 U.S. lives, attention should move toward the emotional and psychological damage being inflicted on hundreds of millions.

Padding the school year with several snow days seems reasonable and necessary as we attempt to recover from this unimaginable plague.

Humans were not made for constant confinement.

Most people know that children being homeschooled exists as a safeguard that hardly measures up to being in school.

Our children, whether under the supervised eyes of parents or adults, or left alone because parents work, face added pressures being home. Snow days can release some of the stress faced by both adults and children.

While many news reports deal with negative aspects of life, one filed by a television reporter captured the wonderful aspects of time off for inclement weather.

Filed from Doylestown, Pa. after last week’s snow, the newscaster had found a popular embankment where children and adults enjoyed a day of sledding, sliding and slipping.

The kids squealed enjoyment as parents smiled, living vicariously through their children’s unbridled excitement. Others joined in the fun. Some children and parents stayed and played until dark.

The scene reminded observers that recreation and play are important in the development of children. Unfortunately, this outdoor Doylestown scene had no match in urban Trenton where being outside offers challenges.

Data regarding COVID-19’s impact on the socialization and health of children and adults will show startling statistics about depression, anxiety and obesity.

At this point, several snow days even mental health days seem welcome and warranted.

Let it snow!