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School the week of March 16th

School the week of March 16th

Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

School the week of March 16th
3/15/2020 at 3:06 PM

The question is at the end, but I'll preface this with the fact that as of the time of this posting the province of Manitoba has said that there are four lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Winnipeg. Today there were three additional presumptive positive cases announced, two in Winnipeg, one in the Interlake. In Brandon or Westman no cases have been announced as lab-confirmed or confirmed to have tested presumptive positive: https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=46958&posted=2020-03-15
As I suspect most parents know, schools in the province are to have classes cancelled beginning next Monday, March 23. They would resume on April 13 after a three week break that would include spring break. According to the CBC link below, "the government is providing notice a week early so parents can make child-care arrangements and the education system can prepare:"
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-schools-covid-19-update-1.5497122

As part of a notice on Friday (link below), the Brandon School Division has said that:
“For the week of March 16 to 20, 2020, schools will be open, however, if the parent chooses to self-isolate or increase the degree of social distancing for their child, Brandon School Division will provide programming and support:”
https://www.bsd.ca/news/pages/update-on-covid-19-from-brandon-school-division.aspx

Additional facts on COVID-19 and the response in Manitoba can be read at:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/index.html

I know there’s a major conversation going on in the community right now amongst parents on this topic with many sending, some telling me that they are not sending their kids and others are unsure. Where are parents at as far as Monday and the week as a whole?
Iceman69
Joined: This month
Posts: 513

Iceman69
Joined: This month
Posts: 513

sending
3/15/2020 at 4:09 PM

I'm sending my kid. Don't have the luxury of stay home. Bills dont pay themselves!
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

changing mind
3/15/2020 at 4:54 PM

I keep changing my mind.

On one hand, I want to keep as much normalcy for as long as possible (such as it is). On the other, it seems like keeping them home would be the most prudent course of action.

I woke up this morning thinking I wasn't going to send them, then at some point decided we would take it day-by-day and send them tomorrow at least, or until a case is found locally.

But now I'm not sure. Again.
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

school
3/15/2020 at 5:00 PM

Also, it's important to note that I read on CBC today that AB is considering an 8-12 week closure, essentially canceling school until the fall term. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/covid19-alberta-need-to-know-march-15-1.5498465
Giddyup
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 473

Giddyup
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 473

going
3/15/2020 at 5:05 PM

My child is going to school.
NoCares
Joined: This month
Posts: 3009

NoCares
Joined: This month
Posts: 3009

Jshshd
3/15/2020 at 5:08 PM

Iceman14 said "I'm sending my kid. Don't have the luxury of stay home. Bills dont pay themselves! "
Amen. My son is going. I have bills, mortgage and groceries to buy.

I am lucky that I have family here to help out with watching him during the school closure. Between his dads gf helping with watching our son and my parents some days and my boyfriend on his days off, im going to be able to still work full time. And if push comes to shove, my work allows my son to come sit in my office. I am a lucky one, I know very few parents have this option.
1wrangler3
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 280

1wrangler3
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 280

.
3/15/2020 at 5:18 PM

I’ll be sending kids to school. The threat is so little in manitoba right now, doesn’t make sense to me. When things start blowing up a little I would do it to slow down the spread, but right now it seems as though we’re taking off time when it’s at its lowest threat. Everyone will be returning once there are MORE cases. Facts are it’s going to spread, no matter what. I can’t keep kids home for an entire month or live in fear forever when it’s something that’s going to happen eventually anyways.
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

spread
3/15/2020 at 6:53 PM

1wrangler3 said "I’ll be sending kids to school. The threat is so little in manitoba right now, doesn’t make sense to me. When things start blowing up a little I would do it to slow down the spread, but right now it seems as though we’re taking off time when it’s at its lowest threat. Everyone will be returning once there are MORE cases. Facts are it’s going to spread, no matter what. I can’t keep kids home for an entire month or live in fear forever when it’s something that’s going to happen eventually anyways. "
I think the idea is to keep ahead of it before there's community transmission. Once there's community transmission, it will be harder to contain and control. The longer we can hold it off and the flatter the curve, the better for the health care system.

The kids will be out longer than 3 weeks. Alberta just basically canceled the rest of the school year earlier today.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/covid-coronavirus-update-hinshaw-alberta-edmonton-1.5498467
springishere
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 221

springishere
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 221

.
3/15/2020 at 7:20 PM

My children will NOT be attending. If attending next week decreases the curve then skipping this week will help more. It’s not worth the risk. Italy had 300 some odd deaths in the past 24 hours. I’d rather do my part to slow the curve.
MY World
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 181

MY World
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 181

School
3/15/2020 at 7:42 PM

I know they are trying to stay ahead of the virus but there are only 4 confirmed cases last I heard and they are in Winnipeg. My kids are going.
Bran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 248

Bran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 248

Kids staying home
3/15/2020 at 7:44 PM

Was hesitating about sending them this week but thought better to be proactive if possible. We could likely follow AB and have school closed be till September so not sure how things will work for everyone and work. This is going to to be an economic hit for everyone and everything. Maybe start planning longer term even if not needed.
axana596
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 844

axana596
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 844

Well
3/15/2020 at 8:36 PM

My kids will be attending this week since I am a single mom - I need to earn money and they aren’t old enough to stay home alone.
Summertime
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 931

Summertime
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 931

Going
3/15/2020 at 10:15 PM

My kids will be attending school this week. I’m on the front lines in health care, so I don’t have the option to work from home.
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Attendence
3/16/2020 at 10:59 PM

I'm curious to know what other schools were like attendance-wise today. Our school was about 2/3 attending in most classes from what I can estimate, but will be over 50% absent for sure tomorrow. We kept our kids home.
NoCares
Joined: This month
Posts: 3009

NoCares
Joined: This month
Posts: 3009

Kajjdb
3/17/2020 at 6:56 AM

My son said there was barely anyone at school yesterday. His class usually has 23ish students in it, and he says there were only 9 there yesterday.

He is still going today.
Someonesomewhere
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 67

Someonesomewhere
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 67

Going
3/17/2020 at 7:09 AM

Kids will be going. As many I don’t have the luxury of last minute daycare options. It’s easy for stay at home moms or dads or those with flexibility of support but it’s important to remember that not everyone has that.

Also the majority of working individuals don’t have the option to work from home and with the fragility of the economy and looming business closures I don’t have the option to take extra days off.

This is a very difficult and guilt ridden decision for working parents trying to pay bills and shouldn’t be guilt tripped for ‘not doing their part’.
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

home
3/17/2020 at 7:55 AM

I agree that no one should be guilted. We kept ours home because we had the ability to, to allow space for those who don't have a choice. My husband heard a discussion on the radio that even if only 50% of the population stayed home, it will have an impact at slowing the spread (although obviously higher the portion that stays home, the better). So I feel like it's my social duty to stay home simply because I can and so many can't.
Heynow
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 54

Heynow
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 54

Judging by the amount of kids I saw at JR Ried
3/17/2020 at 8:14 AM

The people posting on here that they were sending their kids to school were the only kids there.
Your Majesty
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 205

Your Majesty
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 205

Low Risk
3/17/2020 at 8:46 AM

At this time there have only been 8 confirmed cases in Manitoba with no sign of community based transmission. With all the activity cancellations, facility closures and other social distancing measures in place, i dont see keeping the kids home from school this week a urgent matter. If the situation changes which it could and the virus was spreading through the community or was even in the community then i would have kept them home.
traveller
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9145

traveller
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9145

:)
3/17/2020 at 9:15 AM

My kid is staying home and the reason i choose this, first is because I can, second is because if we wait until there are confirmed cases in our community then likley it has already spread to other people.'

In order to stop the spread we have to not be exposed,best way not to be exposed is to stay away from people (as much as possible) because once they are confirmed its too late
Brandonite77
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 85

Brandonite77
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 85

This makes me feel better..
3/17/2020 at 9:20 AM

Yesterday I was sick to my stomach sending my daughter, but then you need to realize that half of the people are choosing to send and the other half aren't.. so they have decreased in numbers which also makes it less likely for every child to get anything. We need to remember that during this time, trying to be as normal as possible for them is key. I believe a lot of my anxiety was passed down and I really don't want to do that to them. Constant reminders of washing hands, no hugging kids, if someone has a cough, try and stay away from them.. is all we can do.

If schools close down for the remainder of the year, I feel for a lot of parents out there... even myself, my husband and I will get though this but I know it will be a huge strain on so many people. Just try and keep positive, your children learn what they see and how you act!
anna_p
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 220

anna_p
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 220

Preventative
3/17/2020 at 6:12 PM

It’s called that for a reason. Let’s not be like Italy where it went from 0-60 overnight. There are options for front line workers as well as any other person who must pay the bills like everyone else. Every time there is something that happens and warnings are put out there’s always one who believes it won’t happen to them.( Examples : hurricane juan, every spring the need to remind that it’s not safe on ice, don’t feed wild life, don’t eat tide pods) some day they have no options yet I have not seen one post asking for a Home daycare or babysitter to assist during this time? Paying bills and being a single parent are not excuses for not trying to play your part in preventing the spread. Not bashing it’s just fact, we all have options or need to find some. If your child or self get sick ( hoping no one else does) what then? Who will cover your current reasons for not keeping them home? Just curious playing devils advocate
Bran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 248

Bran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 248

Agree totally
3/17/2020 at 6:48 PM

anna_p said "It’s called that for a reason. Let’s not be like Italy where it went from 0-60 overnight. There are options for front line workers as well as any other person who must pay the bills like everyone else. Every time there is something that happens and warnings are put out there’s always one who believes it won’t happen to them.( Examples : hurricane juan, every spring the need to remind that it’s not safe on ice, don’t feed wild life, don’t eat tide pods) some day they have no options yet I have not seen one post asking for a Home daycare or babysitter to assist during this time? Paying bills and being a single parent are not excuses for not trying to play your part in preventing the spread. Not bashing it’s just fact, we all have options or need to find some. If your child or self get sick ( hoping no one else does) what then? Who will cover your current reasons for not keeping them home? Just curious playing devils advocate "
Everybody needs to be proactive. Winnipeg numbers are now increasing, presumably to 15 now . Plan for it to help slow it down and protect people at risk. BC and SK have done the same as AB and closed schools indefinitely now so we could be doing the same. Silly to think Brandon is immune when we do the the same types of things as everyone else around the world ( international travel, domestic travel, attending events, socializing, etc.). And could carriers of the virus among us spreading it. Hopefully not but how it is playing out around the world. Let’s all learn from what has happened elsewhere and do our part.
Someonesomewhere
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 67

Someonesomewhere
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 67

Proactive
3/17/2020 at 9:01 PM

I don’t think most people are approaching it from the ‘oh it won’t hit here in Brandon’ Most people are simply stating they are royally screwed without school and daycare. It would be nice to be able to just stay home with my children and be ‘proactive’ but many parents also need to afford to feed their children which means they can’t simply stop working at the drop of a hat! Seemed like a lot of those parents decided to bring all their children shopping today...or out to eat...

It’s great that everyone is doing their best, but remember everyone is doing THEIR best, even if it doesn’t look like what you are able to do.