Items

• 
  2020-07-31

  Statement by the Ontario Principals' Council School Reopening Plans

  A public statement released by an organization of principals in publicly funded (Public and Catholic) grade schools stating that while they support a return to classes in the fall, they believe the provincial government needs to provide additional support and clarification on its plans to do so, and outlining those needs.
• 
  2020-06-05

  "Procedures For Reopening Kaw Nation Complexes To The Public On Monday June 8th, 2020"

  "All Kaw Nation entities will be reopening to the public, on Monday June 8, 2020, with some guidelines that must be followed to protect the public and all employees."
• 
  2020-07-30

  "Boone-Apache Public Schools 'Return to Learn Plan' 2020-2021"

  "This fall will bring a new school year with new challenges that we have never faced before as a school district. While it is our intention to open and hold school in the fall like any other year, we know there will be some differences. We are working on providing a safe environment that limits exposure by social distancing in the best way possible and still maintaining student learning at a high level. We know that returning to school campuses will bring a risk of exposure and it is important for each of us to do our part to keep everyone as safe as possible."
• 
  2020-05-15

  Apache Casino Hotel Reopening

  "Today the Fort Still Apache Tribe Economic Development Authority Board of Trustees authorized the reopening of the Apache Casino Hotel, a popular gaming destination in Lawton, Oklahoma, starting at 10:00am on Thursday May 21, 2020."
• 
  2020-06-02

  Hope Turns to Disappointment: Starkey Reopens...Then Closes Again

  As spring gave way to summer in 2020, Starkey gradually opened its day programs for its persons-served in phases, so as to ensure their safety as much as possible. These emails dated June 2 to July 14, 2020, offer a look into a seemingly steady and successful reopening process, while illustrating the patchwork nature of Kansas's reopening, and how individual entities charted their own course while following the state's suggested guidelines. Perhaps most tellingly, the final email conveys the sudden pullback brought about by the virus's continued surge, when the day programs closed yet again due to rapidly rising COVID-19 cases in Sedgwick County, Kansas. Taken together, these items give substance to a quickly deteriorating situation that came to characterize the COVID-19 experience in Sedgwick County during the COVID summer of 2020.
• 
  2020-07-21

  If Schools Reopen Now...

  Schools, education, and the development of students has become one of the new points of contention out of many concerning coronavirus. While in-person education is vital to the development of students, many plans seem to be overlooking the feasibility of safety guidelines, in addition to not fully addressing the fears of teachers and administrators. This item was added TAGS v6.1.9.1. I originally searched under the hashtag #ifschoolsreopennow. Within that search, I have chosen to add the following tweet because it is highlighting the divide amongst teachers concerning a desire to return and work with students while also fearing for their safety. Link to the article: (https://www.teenvogue.com/story/teachers-reopening-schools-coronavirus-covid-19/amp?__twitter_impression=true)
• 
  2020-07-21

  Coronavirus Student Humour

  While much of the debate around schools reopening is situated between politicians and educators, students also have something to contribute to the conversation. Humour seems to be the way that some are choosing to approach the current situation, approaching potential illness and death with a devil may care attitude. This item was added TAGS v6.1.9.1. I originally searched under the hashtag #ifschoolsreopennow. Within that search, I have chosen to add the following tweet because it highlights the approach that some students/comedians are taking in light of the current debate that is centered around in-person education.
• 
  2020-07-21

  Different Restaurants. Different Policies

  These photographs present two different policy approaches taken by two different west Wichita restaurants. The "patchwork" of policies that came to define the United States' COVID-19 response also manifested itself in individual businesses, with some area restaurants, like Ziggy's Pizza, proclaiming that they're open for both indoor and outdoor service, while several blocks away, Chick-Fil-A's sign declares that their dining room remained closed. Both taken on the same day, these pictures represent the myriad messages and signals given by governments and businesses that added to the confusion and uncertainty that characterized the COVID-19 pandemic in Wichita.
• 
  2020-07-14

  "Why We Can't Reopen Schools Without Addressing School Infrastructure"

  From the video description: "As the conversation about reopening America’s schools grows, safety must be a primary concern and it will cost about $200 billion to bring all schools into a state of good repair. Share this video if you think Congress should include dedicated and significant funding for school infrastructure in the next Coronavirus bill"
• 
  2020-07-16

  Northeastern University Graduate Student Union Reopening Email

  Adam Tomasi, member of the organizing committee for the Graduate Employees of Northeastern University-UAW union of research assistants, emails a survey about reopening needs to other students
• 
  2020-07-17

  School Reopening Editorial Cartoon

  A editorial cartoon which depicts four children, wearing backpacks and masks, standing in front of a brick school building. Over the door of the building hangs a neon sign which read "BAR" with two martini glasses. One of the children is saying "LOOKS LIKE SCHOOL DILEMMA SOLVED..." in reference to the fact that bars were allowed to open very early in the pandemic but the ability of schools to open in the fall is still up in the air and varies by region and board.
• 
  2020-06-12

  "White Eagle Transit"

  "White Eagle Transit Systems will remain CLOSED 6/15/2020-6/26/2020 due to the COVID-19."
• 
  2020-07-15

  Teachers hold sit-in protest at Texas Capitol to demand changes on reopening schools

  On Wednesday, July 16th, 2020 Austin, Texas area teachers held a sit in/protest around the state capital building to express their fear of being forced to go back to in person school this fall. School begins in one month. Having personally watched this protest be planned I know that the reason they chose this location was because they could not get onto the capital grounds. Entrance to the grounds are barricaded and National Guard troops are present. I also know that TEA, Texas Education Agency, has announced they will work from home until January 2021. How can they look out for themselves but send precious students and teachers back to work?
• 
  2020-07-16

  Signs welcoming workers back to Chifley Tower, an office building in the centre of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

  This photograph indicates measures taken to celebrate the easing of pandemic-related restrictions on the gathering of people in commercial settings.
• 
  2020-07-13

  " Tired of Homeschooling? Betsy DeVos Suggests Letting Your Kid Die"

  As the United States continues to experience record breaking numbers of new coronavirus cases, the Trump Administration is pushing for schools to reopen. Reductress, a feminist satire news website, offers a dark humor take on the push to reopen schools. In this satirical article, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is fictitiously quoted as saying "I don’t want you to think we’re going to lose all the kids, or that I don’t care about kids dying. I just think over 14,000 kids dying isn’t that big of a deal, and on the bright side that’s like 28,000 parents who no longer have to deal with homeschooling!” Relying on morbid humor, this article underscores the fear that reopening schools will lead to mass illness, hospitalization, and death.
• 
  2020-07-14

  O.C. School Board Announces Return to Class

  Orange County has been one of the cultural battlegrounds in the U.S. over all issues surrounding the coronavirus. As reopening the economy and the mask debate have somewhat receded, the next major issue is how schools will go about returning to classes in the Fall. Despite the existing health concerns, the school board voted to proceed with suggestions concerning health concerns, but no mandates. This item was added TAGS v6.1.9.1. I originally searched under the hashtag #orangecounty. Within that search, I have chosen to add the following tweet because it highlights the public reaction to the ongoing debate on how to successfully get students back to school. Link to the CBSLA article: (https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/07/13/oc-school-board-classes-fall/)
• 
  05/19/2020

  Jeffery Scanlon Oral History, 2020/05/19

  Jeffery Scanlon edits and directs local news channel 18 WQOW in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He thinks that some people in the US may have a lack of seriousness towards the pandemic. He elaborates on this by explaining how he sees people not social distancing and not wearing a mask. He then explains how Covid has affected his job working for a news channel as it’s all that they cover. He then expresses challenges of the pandemic, one being how his parents not being able to see his daughter as often, as they have underlying health conditions. He then describes how he plays video games to pass time as you are not able to go out and do things. He then brings up a frustration of people posting conspiracy information about the pandemic on social media and spreading misinformation. His job is his main source of news. Jeffery believes that his local government handled initial outbreak well, but may be opening up prematurely and specified “no comment” on how the federal government handled the situation. He then ends with that mask wear in public should not be a political statement, instead people should be wearing them to protect their health and the health of the people around them.
• 
  2020-07-12

  States vs. The Department of Education

  As a teacher, I am concerned about having to go back into the classroom. I have preexisting conditions, live with at risk individuals, and don't want to die. While I know that private schools tend to be better funded than public schools, I was shocked and confused as to why the government would choose to prioritize institutions that are able to support themselves better in these trying times. This item was added TAGS v6.1.9.1. I originally searched under the hashtag #schools. Within that search, I have chosen to add the following tweet because it discusses the opening salvos in an ongoing battle between States and Individuals vs the Federal Government over the allocation of relief funds. Link to the NPR article: (https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/07/07/888793021/states-sue-education-department-over-allocation-of-pandemic-funds-to-schools?utm_campaign=npr&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_term=nprnews&utm_medium=social)
• 
  2020-07-13

  B.C. Indigenous groups keeping borders closed to limit COVID-19 spread, despite growing economic impact

  "Indigenous bands along the west coast of British Columbia say their borders will remain closed to tourists and non-residents, despite the economic impact, as they work to raise awareness about the threat COVID-19 poses to their communities." "'A lot of our communities are remote and testing is not easily available,' she said. 'If you’re in Port Alberni, or Nanaimo, or Victoria, or somewhere (else), you can get testing and get results in 24 hours. It’s not the same with our communities.' "The closures have resulted in disputes between Indigenous groups and local businesses. "The Haida Nation in Haida Gwaii have turned away non-residents at the ferry terminal, discouraged leisure travel and called on two local fishing lodges to rethink their reopening plans."
• 
  2020-06-02

  Unlocking Museums: Moving Forward in a Crisis

  Panel hosted by the Boston Globe on how museums may change and grow in response to the CoVid-19 pandemic. The panel includes the directors of the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, the Museum of Fine Art, and the MIT List Visual Arts Center. This video panel offers an reflection on how museums in Boston began to think about their reopening, and what policies they had in place over a month before some officially reopened their doors.
• 
  2020-07-01

  Welcome Back! Free Admission for All

  Facebook event created by the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston to highlight their reopening schedule, and the free admission they're offering. The page also highlights timed tickets to control crowds, and what parts of the museum will be available when the museum reopens. This object highlights the conflict museums face in bringing back visitors and draw attention to their offerings, even as they need to continue limiting crowds.
• 
  2020-07-09

  Jon Mitchell Tweets about arts and culture institutions reopening

  Mayor Jon Mitchell of New Bedford joins arts and culture institutions from across New Bedford at the New Bedford Whaling Museum to announce that museums, arts and culture organizations will reopen on July 9 as part of Phase 3.
• 
  2020-07-08

  Massachusetts Art Museums Are Reopening

  News article published by WBUR in Boston that discusses the reopening plans of several art museums in the Greater Boston-area and the rest of Massachusetts. The article goes into detail about the opening plans of the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. As museums move away from closures, institutions are trying to spread knowledge of their openings as well as the safety procedures they're employing. As the pandemic continues, safe museums offer an escape from time spent indoors if one has the privilege of doing so.
• 
  2020-07-08

  AZ governor's office assures residents its COVID infection rate lower than Brazil or Peru

  It's odd that the U.S. response to COVID has been disjointed among national, state, and municipal efforts. Peru had a strong, concerted national effort, but there are so many factors that are contributing to the spiraling infection rate including a day-to-day economy, and the lack of economic support for families. But for officials in Arizona to point the finger and say- hey we're doing better than...seems shameful. Our infection rates could be under control if we followed a systematic public health program. Instead, most businesses are so desperate to reopen like bars and restaurants that they don't really protect customers or staff. The rate of infection among young people started to creep up after Arizona reopened in May, and last week Tempe had to close its bars again to get the situation under control.
• 
  2020-07

  Visiting the ICA: Know Before You Go and FAQ

  Webpage of the Institute of Contemporary Art further explaining some of their reopening policies and answering likely questions. As museums are reopening, they require updated policies that are easily explained and accessible to visitors. This webpage offers further explanation on how new policies will affect visitors, and how visitors can obtain tickets to the museum once it reopens.
• 
  2020-07-09

  ICA Boston Reopening Policies

  Reopening policies of the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, including their new practices for the museum, the store, and tickets. The document also covers additional safety measures undertaken by staff. As reopening has continued in Boston despite rising cases throughout the country, museums and cultural heritage institutions are publishing plans that highlight their safety measures and how they're protecting staff and visitors. This document highlights several of the policies that many museums are employing.
• 
  2020-06-30

  Welcome Back!

  The New Bedford Whaling Museum announces reopening for summer 2020, during the the COVID19 pandemic. The announcement shares details about new hours, opening dates, museum rules, online ticketing and timed admissions, and what visitors should expect during their visit.
• 2020-07-08

  Museum Reopening Updates

  Boston Children's Museum has posted updates regarding reopening in July 2020. Their June 24, 2020 announcement discusses BCM's commitment to their community and the safety measures BCM will be taking. "As we begin summer, I wanted to bring you up to date with our work to re-open the Museum. But first, I wanted to acknowledge your patience and support over the last three months. As parents and caregivers of young children, you have no doubt been challenged with schools and day care services being closed, work and employment disruptions, navigating through health challenges, and most recently the social upheaval in our country resulting from the death of George Floyd. More than ever, our children need our love and support. Their routines, friendships, and opportunities for play and learning have all been upended. It has been a trying time, with much anxiety and uncertainty testing us all."
• 
  2020-06-26

  Arizona State University encourages mask wearing in branding

  Before students return to campus in the Fall, ASU is promoting mask wearing as a public health measure. These are from ASU’s main Facebook page as well as the page for the School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies.
• 
  2020-06-17

  Navajo Nation re-implements 57-hours weekend lockdown as COVID-19 cases spike throughout Arizona

  "The Navajo Nation has issued a Public Health Emergency re-implementing 57-hour weekend lockdowns for the remainder of June as well as a travel advisory outside the Navajo Nation because of an increase in COVID-19 cases in areas surrounding the Navajo Nation."
• 
  2020-06-28

  COVID-19 update: Navajo Nation cancels July 4 celebrations, ends weekend curfew as state numbers rise

  "Navajo leaders canceled this year’s Fourth of July celebrations in Window Rock as the tribe continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic."
• 
  2020-07-01

  Teacher: ‘Parents need to go to work’ does not stop covid-19 at the school entrance

  Many have been questioning how schools will reopen in the fall following closures for most of the nation's schools in March. While there was hope that COVID would settle down, it seems to be doing the opposite, and while we inch closer and closer to August, the month when most schools start their fall term, the question remains; How will K-12 schools reopen safely? While many parents, guardians, and even doctors (The American Academy of Pediatrics) are pushing for students to return fully to campus this fall, citing just how necessary in-person teaching is. Teachers get it; we know we need to see our students to give them the best education possible. But, that doesn't stop COVID at the doors of the school.
• 
  2020-07-06

  Summer School Classroom

  I went back to teaching in person today. I have about 7-14 kids per class, their exits into the hallway were staggered by classroom, they were all spaced safely apart, and meals weren’t offered in the school but were bagged up and sent home. We can do this with 50 kids but trying to imagine what this would mean in the fall when we hope to welcome back nearly 850 students into our building is frightening. I hated teaching with a mask on because the kids couldn’t read my face and it changed the tone of the room. I truly teared up as I pulled into the parking lot this morning and saw kids walking to school - I’ve missed them SO MUCH!!! I don’t know what the answers are in terms of reopening schools. What I do know is that teachers don’t want to be teaching from their living rooms but if it means keeping the students we love so much and the colleagues we adore safe....then we’ll do it. We’ll move mountains to keep up with our kiddos. We didn’t get into this profession for the fame and fortune, we got into this because we truly love what we do. I wasn't placed in my normal classroom today. Instead I was put in the art room which had chairs for 15 students but no desks. There were many hand sanitizer stations around the schools and are halls are all 'one way only.' The students wear masks while riding the bus but immediately take them off upon arrival and they are washed and given back at the end of the school day. I've used more hand sanitizer in the last 24 hours than I have in a long time. It also has me rethinking class copies of work.
• 
  2020-07-05

  Florida surges to top global hotspot

  Florida cases have been surging, and have just passed 200,00. The trajectory of the state is currently on track to be the worst of all US states. Canada, with over 10 million more people, has around half the cases. The state remains mostly open. It seems that a handful of US states have taken over the headlines for worst hotspots. Florida leads these states as the worst of the worst in terms of new cases surging. When comparing Florida to countries with similar or even notably larger populations, the difference is striking. I included this tweet to highlight the reopening vs continued lockdown approaches of Florida and Canada.
• 
  2020-07-05

  As summer break wains, will schools open?

  As summer break wains and the beginning of the school year approaches, one of the biggest questions is whether schools will reopen. All schools from elementary to graduate schools are deciding on whether to bring back students for in person classes. In the US, cases continue to peal, raising doubts about the safety of in person classes. This topic stood out to me as I am one of the many students awaiting to see what will happen with law schools in the fall. I am waiting to see which schools if any will have in person classes, and basing my plans around that. For the millions of of families with school aged children, this is perhaps the biggest question up in the air. Children and students being at home will have a multitude of effects in many different areas, including parents jobs and price of education and so on. Many people felt confident early in summer that classes would resume, but now doubts are beginning to set in as cases surge.
• 
  2020-06-16

  "COVID-19: Our Response"

  "The health and safety of our associates, tribal members, visitors and guests is the top priority for Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO). Following review of key health indicators with our health and emergency management professionals, CNO leadership determined to move into Phase III of the CNO Recovery Plan beginning Friday, June 12."
• 
  2020-07-03

  America Reopens. 12 Seconds Later...

  This meme shows what is happening after the states reopened. With protests and rise of Covid-19.
• 
  2020-05-01

  Line at the Bank

  This photo was shared on a public page. It shows the line for a bank that had just opened after the shelter-at-home order was lifted.
• 
  2020-07-01

  Reopening Plan

  Reopening plan published by the Walker Art Center in Minnesota. The plan highlights the precautions taken by the museum as it transitions from complete closure to reopening. Even as cases rise in several states, museums throughout the country are looking to reopen to a limited number of visitors while focusing on social distancing practices. https://web.archive.org/web/20200701142118/https://walkerart.org/visit/visitor-guides
• 
  2020-06-29

  The New York Public Library Lions Wear Masks

  This is a post from the NYPL official Instagram account. The caption reads: "As NYPL prepares to gradually reopen select physical locations on July 13, our beloved lions #PatienceAndFortitude are setting an example to remind New Yorkers to stay safe. To pick up or drop off materials when locations reopen, masks will be mandatory. Learn about services that will be offered during reopening, locations, and more at nypl.org/coronavirus or by visiting the link in our bio."
• 
  2020-05-15

  "The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes Extends Temporary Closures of Casino, Child Care Development Centers and the Tribal Government until May 31, 2020"

  "Andarko, Oklahoma-The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes during their Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2020, made the decision to extend the Declaration for the State of Emergency and Temporary Closure for the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes through May 31, 2020."
• 
  2020-05-21

  "Wyandotte Nation to reopen casinos June 1"

  "The Wyandotte Nation will reopen its 7th Street Casino in Kansas City, Kansas, and River Bend Casino & Hotel in Wyandotte, Okla., June 1 with safety measures and guidelines put in place to ensure the safety of its employees, guests and communities. The Lucky Turtle Casino in Wyandotte will remain closed with a time and date of reopening still to be determined."
• 
  2020-06-09

  Coronavirus: more than a dozen US states see record high of new cases

  Excerpt from article: A total of 14 states and the US territory of Puerto Rico have recorded their worst week yet for new coronavirus infections, with Texas hitting a record high in Covid-19 hospitalizations, all while restrictions to curb the pandemic are being relaxed across America.
• 
  2020-06-08

  State superintendent Tony Thurmond releases guidance for reopening California schools

  As an educator in California I am eager to know what the final word on reopening will be. These are scary times, especially for educators over 65 or those of us who have pre-existing conditions.
• 
  2020-06-18

  The Museum of Russian Art Reopening

  Facebook post from the Museum of Russian Art that highlights the institutions plans for reopening, including the social distancing and contact tracing requirements to visit. As reopening continues in some states, museums are having to inform their audiences about their new requirements and policies. Posts like this highlight some of the approaches that museums are utilizing as they seek to welcome back visitors while keeping staff safe.
• 
  2020-06-25

  Trump shifts from case count to death count and assures no second lockdown

  Trump shifts narrative from cases going down to mortality rate dropping as US hits new daily case record. The President also highlights the "economy roaring back" as the nation reopens and notes that "embers will be put out" in regard to flare ups. Trump also highlights that there will be no second lock down in America. I felt this tweet was important mainly for the narrative shift and the no second lockdown decision. I have noticed a new pattern emerge in government discussion of the pandemic in that the narrative has been switched to focusing on the low mortality rate to reconcile with the massive spike in cases. This new tone differs from the previous one which focused on the low case count when the cases were much lower. However, the most important part of the tweet was the assurance of no second lockdown. This has large scale implications for the short and long term future of the pandemic in the US, like the lessened likelihood of future stimulus checks and other federal assistance and the lessened likelihood of national cases dropping anytime soon.
• 
  2020-06-05

  Temperature checks, masks for teachers: California releases stringent school reopening rules

  As an educator I worry what next year will look like for us.
• 
  2020-06-05

  Opening Hollywood

  On Friday the governor explained how Hollywood will reopen after months of lockdown due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
• 
  2020-06-03

  White Privilege

  This article compares protest signs from white people protesting for a haircut, to black people asking, "Am I Next?"
• 
  2020-05-26

  No Mask, No Service

  I went to the grocery story with my 83 year old grandmother and was more than a little irritated to see that so many people were refusing to wear a mask. It gave me an uneasy feeling. My grandmother who lives alone and very far from any family, has no choice but to leave her home to buy necessities. I am worried for her safety.