Public school students still have nearly a month of distance learning -- if not longer. Many parents find themselves in a situation where they have to work from home while caring for their children and help teach them.
On the other side of the screen are the teachers who are trying to educate their students in situations that couldn’t have been anticipated at the beginning of the year.
I asked my teacher friends on Facebook how their expectations have changed for students during the coronavirus pandemic.
On a practical level, many expect assignments to be turned in late. But more broadly, the answers were about adaptation and are applicable beyond the classroom...err...Zoom Room.
“Sometimes life gets in the way, and then we do the best we can with what we have,” said Pete Joseph. “The curriculum is less important than helping keep our kids as whole as possible.”
Andrea Barton added, “Reminding everyone, including ourselves, that it’s okay. This can be an opportunity for unexpected lessons. It’s okay.”
Now, here’s the latest on coronavirus in Connecticut:
Topline
- At least 19 people have died from COVID-19, a number that has nearly doubled since Monday.
- As federal lawmakers worked on finalizing a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package, Connecticut officials unveiled a program to offer businesses and nonprofits loans of up to $75,000 to cover three months of operating expenses at no interest.
- Unemployment claims nationwide skyrocketed last week to a record high 3.3 million. The previous record was 695,000 in 1982.
By The Numbers
All numbers are as of March 25 at 7 p.m.
- 19 deaths from COVID-19
- 875 confirmed cases
- Fairfield County: 546
- New Haven County: 127
- Hartford County: 116
- Litchfield County: 33
- Tolland County: 27
- Middlesex County: 15
- New London County: 9
- Windham County: 2
- More than 5,898 people tested
Loading...
The Latest
- The Department of Correction says one of its units for inmates has begun producing facemasks for use in situations when the preferred N95 respirators or surgical masks aren’t available. The department says production began on Monday and estimates up to 1,400 masks can be made daily.
- Businesses and nonprofits can now apply for zero-interest loans of up to $75,000 to cover three months of operating expenses. The Connecticut Recovery Bridge program will draw on $25 million in existing state money. Applications are now open.
- Nationwide unemployment claims shattered records. 3.3 million people filed for unemployment last week, compared to 282,000 the week before. The previous record was 695,000 in 1982.
"Most historical comparisons of this scale are inadequate," Daniel Zhao, an economist with Glassdoor told NPR. "The coronavirus outbreak is economically akin to a major hurricane occurring in every state around the country for weeks on end."
- Connecticut is set to receive billions of dollars from the federal government in the coronavirus stimulus bill. In the $2 trillion bill passed by the Senate last night, $100 billion will go to hospitals and $150 billion will go towards other health care expenses like manufacturing personal protective equipment and building new facilities.
From The Connecticut Mirror:
The 880-page bill would send $1,200 checks to many Americans, and $500 to each of their children. Those who earn $75,000 or less a year would get the full amount of money. But payments would be smaller for those earning more than that and cut off completely for those whose annual incomes are $99,000 or more.
Other Reads On The Coronavirus
- ‘We’re in Disaster Mode’: Courage Inside a Brooklyn Hospital Confronting Coronavirus - Sheri Fink for The New York Times
- ‘He died by himself.’ As Connecticut’s coronavirus death toll grows, families forced to grieve in isolation - Daniela Altimari for The Hartford Courant
- Saying ‘I Do’ From a Social Distance - Sarah Holder for Citylab
We Are Him
Remember that foreign policy expert who was doing an interview with the BBC when his kids barged into the room? Many of us are becoming that guy, and he’s back with some advice.
How many times have your roommates Zoom-bombed your work meetings? My dog Ziggy has made several appearances during news meetings. Share your favorite (or least favorite) moments with me at tives@ctpublic.org and I’ll share some here and on Twitter.
Stay safe. Stay sane.
