Prepare for a year of virtual learning from an optimistic dad

Still, I continue to be an optimistic dad. I know things will eventually normalize for families, communities and the nation. 

I’m also realistic. I initially thought getting through this pandemic was like a marathon — a lengthy, monotonous slog that required little more than endurance. I was wrong. Given all the twists, turns, ups and downs created by the pandemic, I now think of this crisis as more of an Ironman triathlon — a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run that demands that we continually adjust to the challenge. Right now, we’re about halfway through the bike ride.

Data on the spread of COVID-19 seems to be emerging as quickly as the spread of the virus itself. One thing that’s widely agreed upon is that children are less susceptible to COVID-19 than adults. For example, in New York City, only 0.03% of children under the age of 18 have been hospitalized for the virus, and the death rate for people over the age of 75 is more than 2,200 times higher than for those under the age of 18.  

Still, kids do get COVID-19. Three of my 10-year-old son’s friends recently tested positive after summer camp. They were among 85 kids and counselors who contracted the illness at that one camp. 

Fortunately, it seems as though the children and counselors are fine, but the spread is undeniable. We also know that there is “more co-morbid illness among young people in this country — more asthma, more obesity, more diabetes — so there is going to be higher risk with our school-age population,” relative to other countries, said former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb in a recent interview.

Given these data and the fact Georgia has the fifth-highest rate of new COVID-19 cases in the country, the state’s school systems are understandably cautious about the next steps. Depending on what happens in the coming weeks, I wouldn’t be surprised to see APS and other local school systems shutter their classrooms in favor of virtual learning for the entire 2020-2021 school year. 

High school football and other sports, however, are slated to resume in the fall. My wife and I are hopeful this policy will extend to lower grades so my young kids can resume playing team sports. 

There is very encouraging news out of the health care and biotech industry. One pharmaceutical giant has a vaccine in the works that the FDA fast-tracked for testing. This company has already ramped up production of the vaccine to meet demand as quickly as possible. 

While still months away, this development is enormous news. But we certainly won’t have a vaccine widely distributed in our march toward herd immunity by the proposed in-person school start date this fall. However, I remain hopeful that either (or both) will materialize sometime in the early spring.  

So, as parents and grandparents, how will school closures change your day-to-day and week-to-week lives? Consider the following to make this school year a little more bearable. 

1. Add “Teacher” to Your Résumé: Families will likely need to readjust to accommodate virtual learning, potentially beyond the APS prescribed start date in November. This may mean negotiating remote work to share the responsibility of helping kids with their online schooling.

2. Test Drive Another Town: Parents can choose to live somewhere different with their families. Virtual learning and remote work open up the opportunity to call someplace your new home for a while. If it’s in your budget, you could move to a bucket list location for an extended trip. Rent an affordable house in a place where you’ve always wanted to live and turn the APS reality into a positive one. It’s a great time to test the waters of a new locale.

3. Emphasize Individual Pursuits: I’m a tremendous proponent of team sports; I’ve coached lacrosse for years, and my kids play several sports. While children may or may not be able to play this school year, parents can encourage kids to take up other types of sports. Pickleball, tennis, swimming, mountain biking and golf are great options. I bought my kids skateboards and they’ve been getting great exercise. As a parent, I’m trying to plan other activities so my kids will continue to stay active.  

4. Economic Churn: I think we’ll see the economic recovery that started in earnest in May continue. However, this economy will look very different from years prior. Teachers will still be working, albeit virtually. Employers will have to be more flexible than ever with working parents because of at-home learning. With singular sports, parents will still spend both time and money on these endeavors and traditional team sports could be overshadowed by new activities. All this is to say I think aggregate spending in the U.S. will be similar to last year. But how we spend will change, just like we’ve seen with food. Instead of spending $100 on food — $50 for restaurants and $50 for groceries — we may see $80 for groceries and $20 for takeout.  

We’ll get life back to normal. Just remember that we’re in the Ironman versus the garden variety marathon. But we will get there. Our kids will eventually go back to school, team sports will start again, and parents will get back to business as usual.

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