Day 141

The pandemic continues its tear through the southern and western United States. This map indicates the states in which coronavirus cases are on the rise:

As the following chart shows, we are not the only country struggling to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus:

As some areas of the U.S. prepare to begin another year of learning the teacher unions have risen in staunch support of their working force. According to the New York Times, 

"teachers’ unions are emerging as a powerful force in determining the shape of public education during the pandemic. Teachers across the country are fighting for stronger safety measures, limits to their online teaching responsibilities, and delayed returns to in-person teaching.

This week, the nation’s second-largest teachers’ union authorized its members to strike if adequate safety precautions like masks and new ventilation systems are not put in place. Teachers’ unions in Florida have already sued the governor over his push to require in-person instruction.

Critics say that teachers’ unions are inflexible and want to have it both ways: reluctant to return to classrooms, but also resistant to teaching online. Union leaders point out that many teachers went above and beyond their normal duties when schools were closed in the spring." As one might imagine the union and the teachers are facing tremendous pressure to return to in person learning.  The issues are both public and political as many parents need the day care schools provide as well as the opportunity to get back in the work force, the remote learning this spring was strewn with problems and many fear the achievement gap will continue to widen with another year of online learning.  In a recent interview with 20 health experts, science reporter Donald McNeil Jr found that the experts all felt a "pervasive sense of sadness and exhaustion".   The condition of our nation is a result of mini battles taking place in every major city.  Each governor has taken a stance to thwart the virus in their own way.  Some have received support from the people while others have received nothing but push back and revolt. While some experts believe the only way to completely quell the virus would be with a nationwide lock down while others say that is not possible from a political stand point.  They are all unsure of what the upcoming fall and winter weather will bring to the pandemic and are unclear of whether or not flu season will have a grave effect on hospitalizations. In sports news Kansas City Chiefs player Laurent Devernay-Tardif, an offensive tackle with a medical degree, is opting out of football this season in order to care for coronavirus patients in his native Canada.  He is the first player to opt out of the 2020 NFL season.  He will receive $350,000 stipend in lieu of the 2.75 million dollars he was owed this year.  A truly self-less and heroic gesture from the 29 year old.  In family news, Maren's dad Dewey turned a young seventy-two years old. He is planning on riding in the Road Apple Rally, a 20 mile bike race held in his town of Farmington, NM.  Go Dewey!