Having to make some extremely hard decisions right now, and feeling intense gratitude for the community we’ve built in Oakland, in our neighborhood, and most especially on our block.
The biggest decision we made, in consultation with a chunk of our neighbors, is to pull the kids from school and run a temp co-op home school.
I recognize this is not an option for everyone, and that it's a privilege we can even contemplate this.
I recognize this is not an option for everyone, and that it's a privilege we can even contemplate this.
We made this decision not for the kids themselves, who have been largely spared by this virus, but for our community, which has people of all ages and immune strengths.
We asked ourselves: if we do this and in a week some as-yet unknown factor leads #Covid_19 to peter out...
Then, we inconvenienced ourselves mightily for a week.
But if in a week, the Bay Area looks like northern Italy, then the choice now is obvious.
Then, we inconvenienced ourselves mightily for a week.
But if in a week, the Bay Area looks like northern Italy, then the choice now is obvious.
What I'm saying is: the more privilege you got, the more you must expend to help your community. If you can afford to stay home from work, do that. If you can afford to keep your kids home, do that.
That's how you help those at higher risk for one reason or another.
That's how you help those at higher risk for one reason or another.
Update: I finished my teaching shift in the block's pop-up homeschool and am working outside, stressing and sweating.
*an unmistakable "kids at school" cheer from inside the house*
And suddenly, my heart is a little lighter.
*an unmistakable "kids at school" cheer from inside the house*
And suddenly, my heart is a little lighter.
