Ilene Bauer | + Follow Poet |
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The Fate of Schools

I feel for those with power
To decide the fate of schools
For people are divided
And there are no prior rules.

How safe are classes held indoors
Where germs just love to lurk?
And if they’re only part-time,
What of parents who must work?

Will everybody wash hands well
And wear a proper mask?
Will those who don’t cooperate
Be taken thus to task?

For those who choose the option
To have learning be remote,
What happens to the children
Who, alone, can’t stay afloat?

There’s talk of filters for the air
Or rooms with special vents,
Of kids in pods or possibly
Erecting outdoor tents.

How hard to be the ones in charge
For they will bear the wrath
Of critics, even though right now
There’s no one perfect path.

Copyright © Ilene Bauer | Year Posted 2020

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Maurice Rigoler Date: 8/18/2020 8:36:00 AM If, at least from my perspective, Covid-19 has demonstrated one thing – its interconnectedness of most everything and its domino effect. You've written a very thought provoking poem, Ilene. Thanks for reading y "Garlic" poem. I love garlic in moderation, though. / M Login to Reply

Gershon Wolf Date: 8/15/2020 8:20:00 PM You know... if this had happened back in the 1950's, my friends and I would have said: 'Hip, hip hurray! No school! Yesss!' And I know that for me, at least, it wouldn't have mattered. My parents would just have given me work to do in workbooks; I would have done it, and been free to play ball the rest of the day. I would have been so much happier. But today, in our crime-ridden, unsafe neighborhoods, kids can't go out and play like we did. What a shame!! Oh, well... Just sayin' ~ gw Login to Reply

John Watt Date: 8/15/2020 4:29:00 PM I sympathize with leaders who have to make these crazy difficult decisions that affect both the economy and the public health. It seems to be a no-win situation with no clear playbook, and I imagine a lot of incumbents throughout the land will be losing their next election because the public has grown weary of COVID. Great write, Ilene. Login to Reply

Panagiota Romios Date: 8/15/2020 2:44:00 PM It's not that hard, Ilene, You make a decision if your child is in a private school, they are open depending on state and principal's cajones )) My grandson is in school now" yes. Precautions are taken. The liberal media, I promise thinks it's all bad. It's simply not, we make changes and move on. We pray, What in life is perfect?)) I love your verse. Shows you care.))) Trust God...remember Noah! The parting of the Red Sea? Pangiexx Login to Reply

Jan Allison Date: 8/15/2020 1:26:00 PM I guess they need to take all the precautions necessary to ensure the safety of the children - we are SO lucky no virus here and the schools are totally back to normal:-) hugs jan xx Login to Reply

Rico Leffanta Date: 8/15/2020 12:59:00 PM Quite right, but a child can always take the GED (in the USA), so best to keep them home until a safe vaccine is available and/or until we have leadership that understands there are NO exemptions in a pandemic! Aloha! Rico Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 8/15/2020 1:24:00 PM but Rico the 'pot arse' who lives in cloud cuckoo land says children don't get the virus... of course we know differently