News Summary
Recent research indicates that children’s role in COVID-19 transmission has been significant, strengthening arguments for teachers’ unions during school closures. A study of over 165,000 American households shows a large percentage of household transmissions began with pediatric cases. Critics of the closures argue that measures were excessive, while supporters claim that closing schools helped mitigate virus spread. The discussion surrounding educational access and public health continues to evolve as the pandemic’s impacts remain prominent.
Los Angeles – Recent research has bolstered the argument for teachers’ unions, particularly during the COVID-19 school closures. A cohort study encompassing over 165,000 American households indicates that a significant 70.4% of household COVID-19 transmissions began with a pediatric case, thereby underscoring the role children play in the spread of the virus. This data emerges amidst ongoing debates regarding the necessity and implications of school closures initiated in response to the pandemic.
Critics of the closures have highlighted concerns that children were largely at low risk of serious illness from COVID-19, asserting that the measures taken were indeed excessive. Individuals like David Zweig, a journalist, have compared the decision to close schools to the reckless act of “steering a car off the road” with children still inside. Additionally, Ben Austin of Education Civil Rights Now has accused the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) of utilizing their influence to keep students home indefinitely. Supporters of these critiques, such as Corey DeAngelis from the CATO Institute, maintain that teachers’ unions prioritized their demands over the educational needs of children during the pandemic.
While learning losses related to school closures are a noted concern, data from various sources reveals a complex picture. Studies indicate that school closures have played a critical role in mitigating COVID-19 spread, reducing peak hospital occupancy in 72 out of 74 countries studied. The British Medical Association has found links between school closures and reduced COVID-19 transmission, morbidity, and mortality within communities. These findings contradict the assertion that such measures were ineffective and reinforce the fact that closures contributed to public health safety during an unprecedented crisis.
The impact of the pandemic extended beyond immediate transmission rates. Research published about “COVID-19–Associated Orphanhood and Caregiver Death” found that over 140,000 American children experienced the loss of a parent or grandparent to COVID, with minority children facing disproportionate effects. Moreover, teachers’ unions argued that families in low-income neighborhoods were particularly vulnerable to the virus, living in crowded conditions even though children were often asymptomatic.
National surveys reveal that satisfaction with remote learning was relatively high, with between two-thirds and three-fourths of parents believing their children received adequate education during the closures. Interestingly, a personal survey conducted in March 2021 indicated that just 15% of parents wanted their children to return to in-person schooling at that time, suggesting that concerns over student safety resonated strongly with families.
While it is acknowledged that school closures led to learning losses, educators point out that the decisions were made in good faith, prioritizing the health and safety of students and their families based on the evidence available during the unfolding crisis. The union’s proposals emphasized various aspects, including better wages, reduced class sizes, and increased resources tailored for underprivileged communities.
The ongoing ramifications of this crisis have also led to teacher layoffs, as schools grapple with budget constraints stemming from declining enrollment and a depletion of federal COVID relief funds. This suggests that while educational access has been disrupted, the economic impacts on district funding are compounding the challenges faced by educators.
In summary, the discourse surrounding school closures during COVID-19 has been multifaceted. The research supports teachers’ unions’ decisions amidst a public health crisis and highlights the necessity of considering the broader implications for student health and learning. The juxtaposition of public health needs against educational access continues to frame discussions on how best to support students and families moving forward.
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Additional Resources
- The Hill: Teachers’ unions and COVID-19 school closures
- LA Times: L.A. teachers union pursues salary hike and progressive goals
- Capital & Main: Teachers across California organizing across districts
- Google Search: Teachers unions COVID-19 school closures
- Newsweek: Thousands of teachers in California union raise alarm
- Google Scholar: Teachers unions COVID-19 impact
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
