Other stuff

Devastation visible after an entire year of “15 days to smooth the curve.” Part 2.

One student who is focused on distance learning. She will do fine; notice she has two computers and her own space to study. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

Destruction in the education world has been noticable to me over the last several weeks. Most of the articles have discussed the devastation in primary and secondary education. There will also be major disruption in higher education.

Today’s articles:

  • 3 million missing kids.
  • Kids from poorer neighborhoods will suffer most from lost education.
  • Last December UNICEF warned against keeping schools closed.
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By Jim Ulvog, ago

Devastation visible after an entire year of “15 days to smooth the curve.” Part 1.

Close up view of a closed school’s message board, encouraging students to keep learning and stay healthy amidst the coronavirus quarantine

Devastation on kids caused by the lockdown is becoming more visible with every day that passes. A few articles pointing this out:

  • Mental health of schoolchildren has suffered.
  • Even CDC finds kids are suffering.
  • It is past time to fix the mistake.
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By Jim Ulvog, ago

Lockdown for the last year was a mistake.

The year-long lockdown has been okay if you are a member of the “Zoom class.”

As we finish our first year of shutting down education for our kids and shutting down the economy for everyone, evidence is emerging of what a terrible mistake we made.

A series of posts will commemorate this regrettable anniversary.

Today’s articles:

  • Worst public health mistake in a century
  • Lockdowns okay for those of us fortunate enough to be a part of the “Zoom class”
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By Jim Ulvog, ago

Supreme Court to California: “No, really. The 1st amendment protects everyone. We mean it.”

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is first-amendment-in-neon-adobe-1-1024x665.jpg
Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

Apparently neither officials in Santa Clara County nor a panel of the Ninth circuit Court of Appeals were able to read the injunction issued by the Supreme Court or that the state allowed indoor worship.

After the injunction allowing indoor worship was issued and after the state of California allowed indoor worship up to 25% of capacity, it should have been obvious to officials in the county and all the judges on the Court of Appeals that indoor worship was allowed.

Seems like said officials and judges were not able to comprehend the order.

The county continued to ban all indoor worship services.

Five churches filed a motion in District Court requesting an injunction against the county ban. The trial court issued an injunction. The county appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which overturned the injunction meaning churches in the county would not be to worship indoors.

Friday the Supreme Court issued a one-page unsigned order overturning the panel of Ninth Circuit judges.

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By Jim Ulvog, ago

Public health officials in school district outside Toronto have gone off the deep end.

Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

The craziness from government officials is getting worse instead of better.

The Peel school district, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada posted an official “recommendation” of a 14 day solitary quarantine for any child in the district sent home because someone else in the student’s classroom tested positive.

Yes, you read that right. If any child in a classroom is sent home because of a positive test, that means that every student in the classroom will be sent home.

Not only that, but the school district also “recommends” every child in the classroom be quarantined, by themselves, in a separate room, for 14 days.

No contact with mommy. No contact with daddy. No contact with siblings. No contact with anyone else.

In case you think I’m making this up, check out this coverage:

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By Jim Ulvog, ago

Ongoing damage from the economic shutdown.

Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

Only have one post since the start of the year on the damage caused by the government imposed shutdown of education, the economy, travel, and health systems. That’s not because the damage is easing up. It’s just because I’ve not taken the time to write about the articles I see every day.

The damage continues. Merely a few of the articles of recent interest:

  • Widespread mental health damage is falling disproportionately on younger people.
  • Lost schooling may have lifetime impact on individuals and the entire economy.
  • Restaurants are particularly hard hit by the repeated close, open, close, open cycles.
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By Jim Ulvog, ago

Supreme Court to California: “No, really. The 1st amendment protects everyone. We mean it.”

Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

Apparently neither officials in Santa Clara County nor a panel of the Ninth circuit Court of Appeals were able to read the injunction issued by the Supreme Court or that the state allowed indoor worship.

After the injunction allowing indoor worship was issued and after the state of California allowed indoor worship up to 25% of capacity, it should have been obvious to officials in the county and all the judges on the Court of Appeals that indoor worship was allowed.

Seems like said officials and judges were not able to comprehend the order.

(more…)
By Jim Ulvog, ago

Great news! California allows indoor worship services, partially reinstating the First Amendment.

Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

Effective 2/6/21, the state of California will allow indoor worship services, with attendance limited to 25% of capacity. The revised public health order can be found here.

The health order says the linked guidance found here for places of worship is being updated. The document, COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services and Cultural Ceremonies, requires social distancing and specific cleaning protocols.

It also bans singing and chanting.

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By Jim Ulvog, ago