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Here is a dictionary definition of Racism: "prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized." I bolded a part for emphasis. The definition implies that in order for an action to be considered racist, the action (in this case, it would be choosing to go virtual) has to be targeting a specific group. Are you suggesting that this is what the school districts are doing? Are the shutdowns only being directed at minorities? Are minorities the only people to exist who are low-income? Could you please point to an example of where school districts "claim science" (whatever that means) and ignore it when not convenient for them? Could you point to well designed research studies that definitively say that sending kids back to school would be harmless? Have you considered the logistical challenges of repeatedly opening and closing schools at a whim every time a breakout occurs? Where will schools pull teachers from if teachers need to quarantine for 14 days every time a kid causes an exposure? As Jim pointed out, I am talking about a different type of resident. As in I will be beginning residency next year. To be a resident, you must be studying science in depth for years. It requires getting a doctorate degree first. I am not showing any anger. Nor am I "triggered." If you say inflammatory things, expect a response. The way you are only selectively replying to certain things gives the appearance that you are trolling. You are avoiding questions in a manner more skilled than some politicians, and so I am prodding further so that you can answer these questions. As of now, until you can actually answer these questions instead of dodging them, it seems your arguments are based off of emotion than logic, atleast to me. I look forward to what hopefully will be a thorough response without the victim complex.

Small world, I went to school in fairfax county. My permanent residence is still there. The increase in failures is more of a failure of the kids and parents than the teachers. What happened to personal responsibility? Not sure why kids have to be coddled in order to not fail their classes. I was never one of those types who could pay attention in class. Pretty much depended on textbooks and powerpoints to teach me everything. But I digress. I will personally admit that virtual learning disproportionately hurts lower income families more than anyone else. There is absolutely no doubt about that. But the disparity between low income and high income families in education will always remain, it's a matter of how big that gap is. The stay at home measures are only temporary. One year of lower quality public education will not make or break anyone's future, but losing one's parents early on to COVID-19 can. Losing thousands of teachers (due to worker strikes and infections) when this country already has a teacher shortage can. The temporary decrease in education quality is more than worth the decrease in chances of spreading this virus, in my opinion. By the way, I do take exception to the accusation of racism for supporting virtual learning. Especially as a minority myself from the same country you linked.

Counterpoint: schools should continue to be virtual as the situation starts to get worse. jaw dropping analysis, I know.

I’m going with the concerns I’ve heard expressed by teachers I know personally. And their concern was mainly students but also with anyone who is in contact with the students. From my understanding parents in these districts all have differing opinions on the matter. And that doesn’t have #### to do with politicians or union.

Directing it to the children says nothing about the adults who deal with the students. From teachers, aides, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, etc.....

Star '93 from start to finish. So gutsy that it very possibly cost them a championship.

and not even close to what we have been dealing with since the spring. and that flu season didn't kill over a quarter of a million people and counting. i get it...you want to march. you also refuse to discuss any of the massive logistical hurdles facing the activity. a vaccine will not be widely distributed in time for a season. it sucks, but to quote a government official, "it is what it is".

it's tough. i am married to an elementary teacher. She misses her kids, and she knows this isn't going to help them...but she's also terrified she could catch it from a kid whose family is spreading it, then bringing it home to us...as she can't visit her dad in his skilled care facility while he fights Covid and deals with his Parkinsons issues at the same time. the bottom line is there is no win-win in all of this, and sadly as a country we are so divided and there's no common ground on doing the right thing for the overall world. it's too "me me me"....My God can you imagine WWII if the country didn't rally around the cause? that anybody is seriously worried about having a drum corps season as we continue to speed towards 300k and more dead really needs to have their priorities checked.

And insults that makes some of us feel your purpose is trolling more than presenting your side of the issue

Have there not been several stories on the small screen, online, and in print that list how poor virtual learning has been nationwide? Even children with access to computers are not participating. Our world wide standing in education of our children has been dropping for years, never mind with C19 making learning very challenging.

Districts also have a lot of problems getting substitute teachers. Many (like me) are older, and they do not want to risk going into a school setting right now (like me again).

To continue with the topic of drum corps... My city estimates that once the vaccine is distributed consumers will partake in "revenge spending" which will fuel local tourism after a very dismal year. I anticipate it won't just be tourism that will see revenge spending. Many other areas will see the same thing including entertainment. Perhaps this will lead to a successful DCI season in 2022 as fans return to the activity. One can only hope this is the case.

Went to school in a large (in area) school district and one of the biggest bus budgets in the state. Most of the drivers I remember were retired or mothers whose kids were out of the house so picking up extra money. Probably the oldest age demographic and probably one who deals with the largest number of kids a day. Largest number as school times were staggered and one driver could run three routes a day (1 each for elementary, middle and senior highs). Yet somehow this group is hardly thought of... oops just remembered the bus company that serves my old school district had to shut down for two weeks the other month. Scheduling staff had cv outbreak so bunch of districts had no buses. Sister drove by one of our old elementary schools and it was a nightmare. Local cops had to direct traffic around the place.

Believe cappy meant another type of resident... the live and breath science comment is why I think so.... but will wait

You hinted at it by calling the school district racist for supporting virtual learning. I support virtual learning. You can do the transitive math, yes? I do think it's interesting you ignored the rest of my points I made about what could happen if we go back to in-person learning. No rebuttal? Fauci is one person. He is not the end all, be all, nor is he a policy maker. Scientists disagree with each other on subjects all the time, this situation is no different. Science would like to be black and white, but it's unfortunately not like that. If it was, we wouldn't continue to do research. That is why the content of our textbooks are constantly changing with the times. Not sure if you've ever actually analyzed research articles before. An article concluding something does not make it so. Biases come into play. Was the research design adequate? What was the sample size? What type of research was it? Systematic review? Meta-analysis? Case-control? Randomized control trial? I'm going to be a resident next year, so I live and breathe science every day. What about you?

Like I told ghost. Anything in schools be it teaching or using for outside activities also involves adults. Schools do not operate in a youth only vacuum

One of the biggest reasons teachers didn't want to go back to in classroom teaching was the possibility of children infecting others within the school. Again, some feel the "science" doesn't support their concerns. Did De Blasio change his mind do to science or the parental out cry? Many parents might be upset if their child is kept back, but some won't mind since they'll be a year older, bigger, stronger, more coordinated, for sports.

Health of a society can be seen and judge by looking at the societies young people. Now Fauci says this provided quote after saying in June and July that he did not know about school. School should be in person. The quicker that becomes a reality the quicker drum corps can plan for a season. "We say it, not being facetiously or having a soundbite or anything, but you know: close the bars, keep the schools open, is what we really say," Fauci told Martha Raddatz on ABC's "This Week." "Obviously, you don't have one size fits all, but as I've said in the past, and as you accurately quoted me – the default position should be as best as possible, within reason, to keep the children in school and get them back to school."

1975 DC News had a tongue in cheek article “The Land That Time Forgot” about that show. Part was judge Walt Kelly chasing the dinos away with his starters pistol. Wish I hadn’t lost it as it was a classic. 😆

St. Joe's wasn't involved in DCI as the folded after the 1971 season.

Bostons synth for Axel F in 85

Hi, SAM. Yes, I believe you are correct about Ray Dandridge, but Duke marched in the Sunrisers when I did. One of his tricks was tossing his Springfield "blind", back over his shoulder, rotating above and OVER our company front in the color pre, American Salute, to be caught by another wizard, Frank Cevasco, after several revolutions. They never dropped, in either rehearsal or performance. If you listen to the DCA finals record from '66, you can hear the roar of the crowd at that moment. It was a great night for the Orange and Blue team, the first time in their history they finished ahead of the Cabs. There were several Carver alums with Sun that evening, and one on the sidelines, cheering: the incomparable Uncle Nick.

As someone who's done this before, I'd personally be wary of having to accommodate now three age groups. Two were ulcer-inducing enough. 😐 Some corps (like SCV) choose to separate the under and over-18's - would you have to separate the under and over 21's as well? And then what about staff over 21 and members over 21? Or those two groups having issues - there are all sorts of liability questions (as well as just "right and wrong" questions) that would need much forethought to resolve. Not saying it couldn't be done, for sure, especially with some of the DCI orgs run by highly qualified and long-tenured folks. But it would certainly need a lot of planning and prep. Mike

yeah the unknown for those who had it and survived is scary for some

i have a father in law battling it while also fighting Parkinsons. the biggest worry is the long term affects

Yeah and I’ve said before my sister in law has a husband who had nasty health issues. So students, teachers, staff, drivers, etc etc etc AND their families..... Heard of a few teachers retiring because they were afraid they would bring CV home with them.

I have a friend who I just found out a few days ago tested positive and pretty sick. A teacher and pretty sure they go it at school. If schools are going to be open teachers need protection