I love campuses. And I know how much is lost when education goes online only.
But reopening colleges as the pandemic is resurging across America will endanger students, staff and the surrounding communities.
It's wrong.
My latest @TheAtlantic.
[THREAD]
theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
But reopening colleges as the pandemic is resurging across America will endanger students, staff and the surrounding communities.
It's wrong.
My latest @TheAtlantic.
[THREAD]
theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
I did not come to this conclusion lightly. And there still are many good reasons to reopen:
* For most students, online education doesn't cut it.
* The most disadvantaged students will suffer the most.
* Some colleges will suffer real financial difficulty if they don't reopen.
* For most students, online education doesn't cut it.
* The most disadvantaged students will suffer the most.
* Some colleges will suffer real financial difficulty if they don't reopen.
But given how badly the pandemic is going in the U.S., the downsides of reopening sadly outweigh the downsides of telling students to stay at home.
There are two main reasons:
* Rules to stop socializing on campus are unrealistic.
* The virus will spread around the country.
There are two main reasons:
* Rules to stop socializing on campus are unrealistic.
* The virus will spread around the country.
1) We Can't Rule Out Major On Campus Outbreaks
Colleges are taking clever steps to stop the spread of COVID-19.
But they rely on students sticking to strict social distancing measures.
And whether colleges use draconian punishments or an honor system, that's just unrealistic.
Colleges are taking clever steps to stop the spread of COVID-19.
But they rely on students sticking to strict social distancing measures.
And whether colleges use draconian punishments or an honor system, that's just unrealistic.
Once COVID-19 does start to spread, it'll be difficult to contain an outbreak.
Most likely, some colleges will precipitously have to close down. And that would send thousands of students all around the country at a few days' notice--spreading COVID in the process.
Most likely, some colleges will precipitously have to close down. And that would send thousands of students all around the country at a few days' notice--spreading COVID in the process.
2) Reopening Will Harm Surrounding Communities
Students and academics love to talk about themselves. So a lot of the debate has been about health risks for those on campus.
But the biggest reason why it's immoral to reopen is that it exposes surrounding communities to big risk.
Students and academics love to talk about themselves. So a lot of the debate has been about health risks for those on campus.
But the biggest reason why it's immoral to reopen is that it exposes surrounding communities to big risk.
Addison County in Vermont has virtually vanquished COVID-19.
But Addison is home to Middlebury, which hosts students from 49 states. And when those students return from hot spots like Georgia, Florida, and Texas, the county’s infection rate will almost certainly go up.
But Addison is home to Middlebury, which hosts students from 49 states. And when those students return from hot spots like Georgia, Florida, and Texas, the county’s infection rate will almost certainly go up.
Many universities face the impossible choice between bankruptcy and community health. And millions of Americans are in the same spot: Every day, they must choose between going to work and courting infection, and staying at home and risking financial ruin.
So what should we do?
So what should we do?
The government must do what's needed to contain the virus—including orders to shut down businesses and universities as needed.
But when businesses are told to close and workers are furloughed, the government must also make sure they can still pay their bills.
[End.]
But when businesses are told to close and workers are furloughed, the government must also make sure they can still pay their bills.
[End.]
