Recent editorials from Alabama newspapers:
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July 20
Dothan Eagle on a local commissioner’s efforts to supply face masks to community members:
Last week, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey implemented a mandatory face mask order for residents of Alabama, to remain in force until at least the end of the month.
Some people have already been wearing masks, as recommended by health officials, in an effort to help keep themselves and their families, as well as people they may encounter, safer from exposure. Others disagree for varying reasons, from belief that it won’t help, or that a mask order violates their liberties, that a mask makes breathing difficult, or that the pandemic itself is a hoax.
And then there are those who don’t have a mask and aren’t sure how they can get one.
We applaud Dothan City Commissioner Kevin Dorsey for his efforts to address that challenge. On Sunday, Dorsey went out into his district and gave away face masks to constituents who wanted one.
That’s the kind of initiative that separates the public servants from the politicians.
Online: https://dothaneagle.com
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July 19
The Times Daily on the importance of flexibility in crafting back-to-school plans amid the pandemic:
The new coronavirus throws most everything in doubt, and apart from the rising death toll, that is what is most pernicious about it.
Local school officials, teachers and staff, to their credit, are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic’s uncertainties in the best way possible: They’re remaining flexible.
And their plans for the upcoming school year, which is just weeks away, is to maximize flexibility not only for themselves, but for parents and students.
Across the state, school systems have sensibly rejected the one-size-fits-all, schools-must-be-open drum beat coming from the administration in Washington. They have rejected politicizing the safety of students, teachers and their families.
“The bottom line is we have to do whatever is necessary to educate our kids while keeping them safe,” said Muscle Shoals Superintendent Chad Holden. “We certainly understand the need for careful planning as we’re facing a lot of unknowns right now.”
When students return to campuses, they will return to an environment governed by social distancing, temperature screenings, and lots and lots of cleaning.
“The school year will look different, but we’re going to work around whatever inconveniences there are and educate kids,” said Muscle Shoals High School Principal Kevin Davis.
Deciding a plan of study is one of the biggest choices students and their parents face. Most of the local systems are planning to offer three instructional options - face-to-face traditional classes, virtual learning from home, or a blended option that combines the traditional and online options.
Muscle Shoals is the exception, offering only the traditional or virtual options.
School officials have spent the past month or so reaching out to parents and students to see which option they prefer. About 11% of Muscle Shoals High’s students have indicated they plan to take classes virtually.
Once those choices are made, students will be asked to commit to their choice for at least one semester.
Any students who opt for virtual schooling make things easier for those who do not or who, for whatever reason, cannot. Fewer students in the classroom means it’s easier to maintain social distancing, and easier for teachers to see that students follow public health guidelines.
The unknown in all the plans is the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in a school. All school systems are busy preparing short-time protocols and quarantine scenarios in case they’re needed.
“We know we’re going to have cases,” said Holden. “We can’t overreact and we can’t underreact. We’ve got to keep cool heads and apply good, common sense in dealing with this.”
Holden added the upcoming school year will be the most difficult that educators, students and parents have ever experienced. “It’s going to be a constant juggling act,” he said. One that will require a lot of patience from everyone involved.
Online: https://www.timesdaily.com
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