Struggling this morning as I watch members of the BC news media that I respect jump in the ring to downplay very specific verbiage in a viral thread about the B117 variant and the broader #bced response. /1
The term “outbreak” in many jurisdictions is classified as a single case in a specific setting. I.e.: see BC care homes. However, as many in our system know, BC schools have different labeling for cases. /2
A single case in a BC school is not labeled an outbreak. It takes two to even be called a “cluster,” and it must be proven that transmission indeed occurred at school, not elsewhere, something that has been an issue with weak contact tracing measures around schools. /3
The fact remains that the people that downplay this viral thread are very focused on this terminology while “fact checking” it, but completely ignore the points that are valid and have merit. /4
Something that has struck me in today’s social media environment is that we expect *perfection* from people - who may or may not have the full context of what is being discussed - or, even more troubling, we expect them to align with our own opinions. If not, we dismiss them. /5
Critical thought toward this viral thread - along with the other news that we consume on these platforms - is key. Approach any thread from anyone with measured thinking. You can agree with aspects of something without dismissing what someone shares in its entirety. /6
And considering how we frame that criticism is important. When we craft tweets that only bash on the “fact checking,” the broader population will then be more likely to dismiss the entire content in the piece, which may actually spread more misinformation/misunderstanding. /7
While I know Dr. EFD may be controversial, there are MANY truths inside of that thread about BC’s variant response, and there is plenty he’s been right about on other global issues and in his own country. Read with a critical eye, consider your platforms and framing. /8
Lastly, don’t downplay the very real concern that exists for people who learn and work in these environments, or have family members who do. Recognize that there is a continuum of concern among students, parents, and education workers alike. /9
When you downplay the need for stronger protections in schools, and we look on as all other jurisdictions in the world take larger measures of protections, your words merely widen the divide we’re experiencing and leave folks feeling even more abandoned by our institutions. /end
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Thread: I need to work through some of my thinking on the looming announcement of what reopening of school sites will look like in BC. I say all of this with a true curiosity, wonder, and worry as I work through the nuances of this issue in my head. /1
This 100% comes from my lens as a public F2F teacher. /2
This crisis is shedding light on the fact that our economy substantially depends on the educational profession first and foremost as childcare. We can’t truly open our economy back up if the kids are not in school. /3