The Winter of Discontent

They’ve missed the point Jem, back then people pulled together for the greater good. It wasn’t about sticking two fingers up to the authorities or whoever.  It was a case of survival. 
They don’t understand the ‘bulldog spirit’ and clearly haven’t got it either. It’s pathetic, so many privileged people refusing to give up a few privileges because its an inconvenience. What a horrible, selfish society. 

Anyway, live to ride, ride to live.

I know where you’re coming from Franco, it is grim. I try to think of it like riding up Ventoux: there’s no point looking for the summit, you just grind away in your easiest gear and eventually we’ll get there.

I am pro mask and social distancing as I believe it provides significant protection in situations like shopping. I am in California, which has a very strict covid lock-down; nevertheless, California does not seem to fair any better than many states that have fewer controls. I suspect social gatherings (banned but mostly ignored) to be the main source of infection. I would very much like to get a haircut and have face to face doctor appointments. We used to allow outdoor dining. but are now limited to take out. Schools are closed with Zoom meetings replacing classroom teaching. Many students don't log in and or don't participate in the Zoom classes. Since California K-12 schools are plagued with "social passing" where no one flunks, many students have little motivation to participate. I taught college for 25 years and saw the result of "social passing" in my last years.  Our college and University system does not have social passing; they maintain a high standard. I recall some students being amazed that if they scored poorly, or did not complete assignments, they would flunk.   Some were amazed that they had to take notes, buy books, or lose government subsidies if they did not pass or attend classes. I think closing our schools enhances California's march towards "idiocracy".  Yes, I hope our schools open soon.

Rant Complete
Jim

We've found that it's mainly to do with access to technology - If you don't have decent internet connection and you're trying to do the home schooling on your old laptop or worse still , a phone, it becomes tiresome and difficult for them. Then imagine if there's 3 or 4 kids in the household with just one laptop. 
Whereas the affluant households won't be having that barrier to overcome.
Of course, the government say they are addressing it by giving this tech to all of those who don't have it - But in my experience , there was a lots of talk but nothing materialised until very recently, and even that was a drop in the ocean. 
You may have seen stories about local businesses and such like donating their old laptops to schools. After the process of assessing the machine then all of that kit takes so long for a single IT techy to ready for use that it's an impossible task. After wiping a laptop, reinstalling, testing, PAT certificate, setting up passwords and getting the machine to a student, it still might not work if the broadband in the home is below par.
At the moment, most 'vulnerable' kids, and those whose parents work in front line jobs are still in the school building as normal, and that has also been extended to students who do not have access to technology and internet at home.
This is had led in some deprived areas to schools being almost as full as a normal week.
The problem with this is that secondary schools with an average of 1000 people in very close proximity, are transmitting the virus back into the homes. So, if you want to slow or reverse the trend, you have to close schools to the vast majority of students. I know all of the attendant issues with that, and it's a trade off. But of you want to return to normal, we have to look at those countries that got the virus number down to a handfull of cases. None of them locked down but kept schools open, it doesn't really make sense. I heard it described as being like having a peeing area in the corner of a swimming pool. 

Not a rant, a lot needs to be thought out and talked about, especially now. In the Pittsburgh, PA USA area, there’s more of a problem of not enough computers and connectivity in poorer neighborhoods. That coupled with the fact that many parent(s) have delegated child rearing to the schools is leading down the pathway of disaster. I’m not blaming any one political party, just mainly the collective lifestyle we’ve condoned as a nation and a world at least in my lifetime (post 1948). The current virus situation just brings to light the humanitarian crisis we’ve become.
To me, there’s no reason for the schools to be closed. There are so many other dangers to our youth that far outweigh Covid cloistering. With proper precautions schools, churches, and businesses should be open. Proper masks, social distancing, testing, and the coming vaccines have and will be proven effective. I hope this can be a wake up call for the many underlying and future problems that most certainly need to be addressed.

There, there’s my rant. I appreciate the ability to do that on this list, and I hope I haven’t lost any friends by doing so. If we don’t agree on some points, and I have many friends who don’t, I love to share our differences and will always appreciate our rights to have them.
Best,
John “wheelson”

This place is an oasis, Jem. Most forms of social media have been destroyed by opinionated people with a political agenda and some will stop at nothing to shout the loudest. It’s a mess, there isn’t even any discourse anymore, just mob rule. 

Your point about tech and home schooling, one of our friends in an English teacher and been working from home. Her internet connection has been atrocious this last few week and she’s pulling her hair out with it. She is struggling to teach her students and getting down about it.

The lady at the house where I have been working has been home schooling besides being a nurse, she’s the same, really struggling with her two kids. 

I feel for folk, really do. I might have a grumble here now and then but not got it as tough as some.