School Closure and Our responsibility

While writing this small piece of notes on the present situation of the United States on the Corona Virus (COVID19), I have a mixed feeling of my time. People are struggling through the very time of their time as it the questions of survival. I still remember that we had a brief discussion over the COVID-19 when it was spreading in Wuhan of China, and I never thought that it would be such a global pandemic and take so many lives around the world.
As of now, there are more than 301,147 active cases and more than 8,000 people have lost their lives in the United States alone. Worldwide schools have shut down as well, waiting for the situation to calm down a bit. However, questions still remain as to What if the situation doesn’t go well?
I am a 10th grader at Albany High School in California. My mind has been questioning itself, What comes next? What about exams? Its been almost three weeks since our schools have shut down. What does this mean for you or your kids’ education? Millions of students will be spending their study time in self-quarantine and social distancing this academic year. However, kids’ education still matters so schools have switched to distance learning until schools reopen.
According to California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, it’s unlikely many of California’s schools will reopen before the summer break, Gov. Newsom said Tuesday, sending shock waves across the state and shocking parents, who are just a few days into the widespread shutdown of schools.
Nearly 99% of California students are now out of school, Newsom said, and he expects that a few small districts that remain open will likely soon close. Newsom also said he is seeking a federal waiver that would allow schools to forgot standardized testing for students when they do return. He said exams would be “totally inappropriate.” To answer the questions about what if the situation doesn’t go well, I would think that we should start thinking long term and prepare for the worst.
As of today, all of California’s school districts have decided to close their schools in order to further slow the outbreak. All the schools have switched to distance learning at home and as a student, I would rather much prefer listening to the teacher in class. Many students will be affected by this fact, but in the end schools, closing is for everyone’s good health. Education material can still be learned through distance learning even if it’s not the same anymore. At this point, looking at all the data and statistics, it’s likely that more people will die and suffer. The best option that we have right now is to stay home, not hoard all the food, and be careful towards the people who are most at risk.
(Nepal is a student of Albany High School, California)