The other day, armed protesters, dressed in camouflage hung the governor in effigy. They were protesting the lockdowns in Kentucky.
What's still closed in Kentucky? Dine-in restaurants, hair salons and barber shops, and day care centers. Really? You're protesting because you want to drop your kid off with strangers and go out for a night on the town? Right after a pandemic? The state motto should change to Kentucky - Stupid and Self-Centered.
Now, I'm all for political dissent and hanging governors in effigy. I believe that it's part of a healthy political debate. I have to ask though, why the guns? I'm not anti-gun, I think the firearms act of 1934 and the gun control act of 1968 are unconstitutional and that people should be able to buy machine guns through the mail. The question is, why wear them to these events? If you look at the people wearing them, they are the type to have the thin blue line flag in their truck. This means if a law officer confronts them, they will instantly obey. So, the guns are just a fashion statement and to intimidate those who disagree with them, not for actual use. That's just bad taste and shows the low level that these people are operating at.
The timing is also interesting. Kentucky locked down in mid-March and not a peep out of these people, except to say how great the governor was handling the issue. Now, two months later, when they don't feel as afraid, and strangely enough, when Alex Jones tells them to, they start with the protests as the state is reopening? Seriously, most things are already open, the timetable for full reopening is already out there and they choose this moment to protest? Cowards, idiots, and bullies have always gone together.
I always thought Antifa was the best gift the right could ever receive, as it showed everyone how stupid the left could get. The lockdown protesters seem to be the right wings version.
Showing posts with label COVID - 19. Show all posts
Showing posts with label COVID - 19. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Friday, May 8, 2020
Return To Roots
One of the good things to come out of the pandemic, has been a chance to return to my roots.
I've been spoiled since the 80's with fancy foods and coffees, but during grade school, I was a 70's, latch-key kid, living off of canned meats, iga brand cheeses, cheap white sandwich bread, and non-designer coffee. Okay, the coffee came later.
Since the pandemic has started, trips to the large town stores have stopped and been replaced by trips to the local, rural IGA, and Dollar General Market. The gas savings have been high. The foods, while not what I am used to now are what I survived on during grade school, and I haven't been "deprived" in the least, unless you count having to drink non-Starbuck's coffee as a major life challenge, and if you do, I suggest professional help. It's been fun revisiting 1970's cuisine.
I've been spoiled since the 80's with fancy foods and coffees, but during grade school, I was a 70's, latch-key kid, living off of canned meats, iga brand cheeses, cheap white sandwich bread, and non-designer coffee. Okay, the coffee came later.
Since the pandemic has started, trips to the large town stores have stopped and been replaced by trips to the local, rural IGA, and Dollar General Market. The gas savings have been high. The foods, while not what I am used to now are what I survived on during grade school, and I haven't been "deprived" in the least, unless you count having to drink non-Starbuck's coffee as a major life challenge, and if you do, I suggest professional help. It's been fun revisiting 1970's cuisine.
Monday, May 4, 2020
The New Normal (part 2)
The one thing you can say about Americans in general and Kentuckians in particular, is that they are always ready to jump on the next bandwagon.
Now, it's the everything is normal, don't tread on me bandwagon.
In the lake country of Kentucky, this means everyone get on the lake. The tourists have arrived. The locals are bringing in all of their relatives. It's party time at the lake. Silly me, I thought there were still restrictions in place.
The sound of cigarette boats running full bore a half mile away reverberates through the hills all day. Of course, I've also seen kayaks and inflatables. The locals generally can't afford anything better. I'm surprised there haven't been fatal interactions on the lake. It's not that big.
While the stay at home was being obeyed, I heard the Life Flite chopper once or twice, now it's back to once or twice a day, so maybe there are more interactions than I know of.
Random gunfire at midnight has started up and you have to wonder what they are shooting at. Is it city folk who don't like the thought of raccoons, even though the tourist crowd killed them off a couple of years ago? Maybe they don't like their neighbors dogs? Gunfire in a subdivision is always worrisome.
Worst of all, are the fires, every night at sundown. The temperature has finally reached the 80's, the humidity is bad, the air is stagnant, the pollen count is causing problems, and every night at sundown, a pall of smoke hovers over the area all night. It's like living next to a charcoal plant.
At times like this, I have to wonder why I didn't buy a place outside of a Mexican tourist trap. I'd get the same lifestyle.
Now, it's the everything is normal, don't tread on me bandwagon.
In the lake country of Kentucky, this means everyone get on the lake. The tourists have arrived. The locals are bringing in all of their relatives. It's party time at the lake. Silly me, I thought there were still restrictions in place.
The sound of cigarette boats running full bore a half mile away reverberates through the hills all day. Of course, I've also seen kayaks and inflatables. The locals generally can't afford anything better. I'm surprised there haven't been fatal interactions on the lake. It's not that big.
While the stay at home was being obeyed, I heard the Life Flite chopper once or twice, now it's back to once or twice a day, so maybe there are more interactions than I know of.
Random gunfire at midnight has started up and you have to wonder what they are shooting at. Is it city folk who don't like the thought of raccoons, even though the tourist crowd killed them off a couple of years ago? Maybe they don't like their neighbors dogs? Gunfire in a subdivision is always worrisome.
Worst of all, are the fires, every night at sundown. The temperature has finally reached the 80's, the humidity is bad, the air is stagnant, the pollen count is causing problems, and every night at sundown, a pall of smoke hovers over the area all night. It's like living next to a charcoal plant.
At times like this, I have to wonder why I didn't buy a place outside of a Mexican tourist trap. I'd get the same lifestyle.
Saturday, May 2, 2020
The New Normal
Well, he new normal is here. You see, Andy has destroyed all the good will that he built up, and it's all about good will.
A month ago, people were saying that the governor of Kentucky was presidential material. People were making up songs about him. Why did this happen? Because he showed that he was putting the people of the Commonwealth first. Then he decided to put politics first. In the middle of an epidemic, when he was closing businesses and telling people to stay at home, he vetoed a "born alive" bill.
Let me explain what a "born alive" bill entails, to those who aren't familiar with them. Basically, it means that if a baby is born alive, it is treated as a person, and given medical care. If the mother doesn't want it, it goes to an orphanage.
That apparently is too much for the governor of Kentucky's political masters. With the veto, if a baby is born alive, and is unwanted, it can be put in a corner and denied care until it dies. Now bear in mind, if I walked past a baby in the street and ignored it and it died, I would be charged with manslaughter. Seems a bit hypocritical.
Needless to say, the people of Kentucky are pissed. Instead of songs in his honor, he now gets threats and insults.
The strange part is, all his closures and stay at home orders, which are likely responsible for keeping Kentucky one of the lower ranking states for COVID-19 infection are now being ignored. The people of Kentucky don't like him anymore, so they are going to do their best to ignore everything that he says. Sounds like cutting off your nose to spite your face, but that's Kentucky.
A month ago, people were saying that the governor of Kentucky was presidential material. People were making up songs about him. Why did this happen? Because he showed that he was putting the people of the Commonwealth first. Then he decided to put politics first. In the middle of an epidemic, when he was closing businesses and telling people to stay at home, he vetoed a "born alive" bill.
Let me explain what a "born alive" bill entails, to those who aren't familiar with them. Basically, it means that if a baby is born alive, it is treated as a person, and given medical care. If the mother doesn't want it, it goes to an orphanage.
That apparently is too much for the governor of Kentucky's political masters. With the veto, if a baby is born alive, and is unwanted, it can be put in a corner and denied care until it dies. Now bear in mind, if I walked past a baby in the street and ignored it and it died, I would be charged with manslaughter. Seems a bit hypocritical.
Needless to say, the people of Kentucky are pissed. Instead of songs in his honor, he now gets threats and insults.
The strange part is, all his closures and stay at home orders, which are likely responsible for keeping Kentucky one of the lower ranking states for COVID-19 infection are now being ignored. The people of Kentucky don't like him anymore, so they are going to do their best to ignore everything that he says. Sounds like cutting off your nose to spite your face, but that's Kentucky.
Saturday, April 25, 2020
When Ohio Returns to East Kentucky
Well, the Ohio people that were hiding across the street have reached the end of their quarantine period. How can you tell? Easy, when they were under quarantine, they stayed quietly in their house, except when they went travelling by lawnmower to visit neighbors. They parked their truck alongside of their house. Maybe because trucks become invisible if they are more than 5 feet from the road.
Anyway, now that the quarantine period has lifted, they have moved their truck right next to the road and they have taken to going outside and screaming at each other.
I guess the only thing that makes people from Ohio act like human beings is the threat of arrest.
Anyway, now that the quarantine period has lifted, they have moved their truck right next to the road and they have taken to going outside and screaming at each other.
I guess the only thing that makes people from Ohio act like human beings is the threat of arrest.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
The New Normal
Things are quieting down in the Eastern part of the Commonwealth. There are rumors that the lockdowns and store closures will end soon. The hillbillies have responded in their normal fashion. With utter stupidity.
The 4 wheelers and golf carts have been out and about non-stop, and people are now visiting relatives they haven't seen in a couple of weeks. In the stores and about town, social distancing has become a thing of the past. Basically, everything has turned back to normal.
It will be interesting to see if there is a spike in illnesses in the next couple of weeks.
Whatever happened to don't panic but exercise common sense? The people of the hills went from buying all the toilet paper, water, and milk, to ignoring everything in the course of 3 weeks. That in itself I would understand. They're stupid. But, they are still buying all the toilet paper, water, and milk while ignoring the problem. They seem to be perfectly happy to keep both contradictory ideas in their heads simultaneously.
Of course, there is always the possibility that they want another round of the disease to spread. After all, unless you're in a nursing home, most people survive. Quiet a few more than survive the average, drunken, Friday night. Unemployment has been massively expanded, so they get a free paid vacation, and if Grandma dies, they hit the lottery when they get to sell her house. Life among the hill people makes one cynical.
The 4 wheelers and golf carts have been out and about non-stop, and people are now visiting relatives they haven't seen in a couple of weeks. In the stores and about town, social distancing has become a thing of the past. Basically, everything has turned back to normal.
It will be interesting to see if there is a spike in illnesses in the next couple of weeks.
Whatever happened to don't panic but exercise common sense? The people of the hills went from buying all the toilet paper, water, and milk, to ignoring everything in the course of 3 weeks. That in itself I would understand. They're stupid. But, they are still buying all the toilet paper, water, and milk while ignoring the problem. They seem to be perfectly happy to keep both contradictory ideas in their heads simultaneously.
Of course, there is always the possibility that they want another round of the disease to spread. After all, unless you're in a nursing home, most people survive. Quiet a few more than survive the average, drunken, Friday night. Unemployment has been massively expanded, so they get a free paid vacation, and if Grandma dies, they hit the lottery when they get to sell her house. Life among the hill people makes one cynical.
Thursday, April 16, 2020
More Ohio Hatred
Well, some of the Ohio people came back. They were supposed to stay in quarantine for 14 days, but they managed 5. Yup, Ohio people need constant stimulation or they die apparently, or that might be just wishful thinking on my part.
But Ohio people know that they are hated, so they don't want to just flaunt quarantine. After all, Andy might go Louisville on them, and they might end up with ankle bracelets. What to do?
Well, the law is not totally strictly enforced. People in Kentucky try to be nice. So, if people are doing things, like working on their houses, they generally aren't going to be bothered. So, yesterday saw the sight of Ohio people visiting in the neighborhood across the way on lawn mowers. You got it. Let's not just walk and be quiet about it, let's drive the neighborhood on lawnmowers. And people wonder why I hate Ohio.
Of course, it's the neighborhood across the way, so, I'm not going to bother about it. Maybe the Ohio folk will get what they deserve. I would mention that the neighborhood they are wandering around is the neighborhood that Somerset's finest lives in, but that should be expected.
But Ohio people know that they are hated, so they don't want to just flaunt quarantine. After all, Andy might go Louisville on them, and they might end up with ankle bracelets. What to do?
Well, the law is not totally strictly enforced. People in Kentucky try to be nice. So, if people are doing things, like working on their houses, they generally aren't going to be bothered. So, yesterday saw the sight of Ohio people visiting in the neighborhood across the way on lawn mowers. You got it. Let's not just walk and be quiet about it, let's drive the neighborhood on lawnmowers. And people wonder why I hate Ohio.
Of course, it's the neighborhood across the way, so, I'm not going to bother about it. Maybe the Ohio folk will get what they deserve. I would mention that the neighborhood they are wandering around is the neighborhood that Somerset's finest lives in, but that should be expected.
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
The Things You Find Out
It's amazing the things that occur during a time like this.
My little subdivision has a strange character. It started life as a small collection of family farms, started turning into a subdivision, stopped that growth, then all the spaces that weren't filled with farmers or residents, filled up with tourists.
In any event, like most places like this, there is always that strange house. The one that has lots of visitors who only stay for a short period of time. It makes you wonder.
Times like this tend to eliminate the wonder.
Now, the traffic is no more. The first week, no one went to the house. The second week, there was some 4-wheeler traffic, but they didn't stay long, and didn't repeat their trips. By week three, people would walk down to the house, usually surrounded by a flock of large dogs. They too didn't repeat the visit. I guess the house is out of whatever they were going there for.
I wonder what that is.
I would make a comment about the police officer who lives in the neighborhood, but if you've read my blog, you know about the cops of Appalachia by now.
My little subdivision has a strange character. It started life as a small collection of family farms, started turning into a subdivision, stopped that growth, then all the spaces that weren't filled with farmers or residents, filled up with tourists.
In any event, like most places like this, there is always that strange house. The one that has lots of visitors who only stay for a short period of time. It makes you wonder.
Times like this tend to eliminate the wonder.
Now, the traffic is no more. The first week, no one went to the house. The second week, there was some 4-wheeler traffic, but they didn't stay long, and didn't repeat their trips. By week three, people would walk down to the house, usually surrounded by a flock of large dogs. They too didn't repeat the visit. I guess the house is out of whatever they were going there for.
I wonder what that is.
I would make a comment about the police officer who lives in the neighborhood, but if you've read my blog, you know about the cops of Appalachia by now.
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Ankle Bracelets
Apparently in Louisville, if you break COVID - 19 quarantine, you get fitted with an ankle bracelet, and made to stay home. It sounds like a logical response.
Those screaming about the loss of liberty obviously have no sense of history. Compared with what America has done in the past to those with smallpox or the Spanish flu, people are being quite tame now. And honestly, if you test positive for a contagious disease and then put others at risk, you should be charged and tossed in jail.
100 years ago, people with contagious diseases obeyed quarantine orders, often in a place of the state's choosing. If not, they were lucky if the police got to them first.Now we are much kinder and more sympathetic. The result, instead of thinking about their families and community, everyone is running around licking groceries in order to get some hits on Facebook, and because no one can tell them what to do.
When the Founding Fathers stated that our system of government was only fit for a moral people, they didn't mean that only a moral people could keep the government in check. They meant that a moral people could have a relatively free form of government. An immoral people need constant draconian laws if they aren't going to destroy everyone and everything around them.
When you look at the fact that Louisville has 10% of the Commonwealth's population and almost 50% of the cases, you can see why the government there thinks that ankle bracelets are a good idea.
Those screaming about the loss of liberty obviously have no sense of history. Compared with what America has done in the past to those with smallpox or the Spanish flu, people are being quite tame now. And honestly, if you test positive for a contagious disease and then put others at risk, you should be charged and tossed in jail.
100 years ago, people with contagious diseases obeyed quarantine orders, often in a place of the state's choosing. If not, they were lucky if the police got to them first.Now we are much kinder and more sympathetic. The result, instead of thinking about their families and community, everyone is running around licking groceries in order to get some hits on Facebook, and because no one can tell them what to do.
When the Founding Fathers stated that our system of government was only fit for a moral people, they didn't mean that only a moral people could keep the government in check. They meant that a moral people could have a relatively free form of government. An immoral people need constant draconian laws if they aren't going to destroy everyone and everything around them.
When you look at the fact that Louisville has 10% of the Commonwealth's population and almost 50% of the cases, you can see why the government there thinks that ankle bracelets are a good idea.
Friday, April 3, 2020
Quarantine Selfishness
Of course, Kentucky is not the only state that is having problems with out of state types. It seems a lot of tourist areas are getting slammed.
Again, I would understand if people ran to a rural area to get away from the disease and then sheltered in place, but to run to a tourist area? It doesn't do anything to help and puts others in danger. Which is just what is to be expected from most of these people.
Rhode Island is officially going after New Yorkers and forcing them into a 14 day quarantine.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2020/03/28/rhode-island-hunts-new-yorkers-to-curb-wuhan-coronavirus-outbreak-n2565901
Maine not having gone so far, is seeing its citizens doing the same. Some residents cutting down a tree to keep some people from New Jersey quarantined after their government wouldn't do anything.
https://www.businessinsider.com/vigilante-maine-residents-try-to-covid-quarantine-neighbor-with-tree-2020-3?op=1
It seems that the tourists who have been annoying the people of the places they visit forever, and yes, the average American tourist is just as annoying when they are travelling domestically, are now trying to shelter in those places while maintaining their partying lifestyle. Let's face it. If they just hid in place, no one would even have noticed them. Their selfishness knows no bounds.
Again, I would understand if people ran to a rural area to get away from the disease and then sheltered in place, but to run to a tourist area? It doesn't do anything to help and puts others in danger. Which is just what is to be expected from most of these people.
Rhode Island is officially going after New Yorkers and forcing them into a 14 day quarantine.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2020/03/28/rhode-island-hunts-new-yorkers-to-curb-wuhan-coronavirus-outbreak-n2565901
Maine not having gone so far, is seeing its citizens doing the same. Some residents cutting down a tree to keep some people from New Jersey quarantined after their government wouldn't do anything.
https://www.businessinsider.com/vigilante-maine-residents-try-to-covid-quarantine-neighbor-with-tree-2020-3?op=1
It seems that the tourists who have been annoying the people of the places they visit forever, and yes, the average American tourist is just as annoying when they are travelling domestically, are now trying to shelter in those places while maintaining their partying lifestyle. Let's face it. If they just hid in place, no one would even have noticed them. Their selfishness knows no bounds.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Gotta Love Andy, part 2
Things are relatively quiet.
After a week of people complaining on Facebook that they couldn't get into gas stations because all the pumps were full of boats from Ohio (I hear it was worse on the Tennessee side), the governor finally ordered that all the people coming from neighboring states had to quarantine for 14 days.
Not being able to continue partying, they left.
Are they too stupid to realize that the areas that are having severe problems are generally having them because the people refused to stop their partying lifestyle and put some distance between themselves, or are they just too selfish?
Regardless, there is a special level of Hell reserved for those who break lock downs in their states and go to areas that don't have a lock down, just so they can have a good time. The level of selfishness is appalling, but not unexpected.
Monday, March 30, 2020
Gotta Love Andy
The governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, has proven himself one of the few competent leaders during this crises. The are numerous Facebook memes about his actions.
You can even find him on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vyqFc8m5lE
Like I've said before, sometimes this state gets it right.
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Yet More Reasons to Hate Ohio.
The latest crises has caused nothing if not more hatred of the State of Ohio. When their state went into lockdown due to the high number of COVID - 19 cases, many ran south to the Commonwealth.
Have they come down to shelter in place? If they had, there would be no problem. What these people have done is to fill the state parks and move several families at once into their vacation homes. Again, if they did this to avoid the pandemic, no problem. However, there is a reason why the disease took off in their state. They have a psychotic need to form large social gatherings and move from group to group. Your average Ohio person seems to think that the fact that Kentucky has a lower rate of the disease than Ohio is solely due to an act of God, or magic, or something, and has nothing to do with behavior.
Kentucky has already started kicking people out of state parks. News flash Ohio, when a state has to kick you out en-mass because of your behavior, you might want to consider that you are the problem. Of course the Ohio people will never believe that. They seem to think they are God's gift to the planet, and that others, especially the hicks of Kentucky, owe them.
Have they come down to shelter in place? If they had, there would be no problem. What these people have done is to fill the state parks and move several families at once into their vacation homes. Again, if they did this to avoid the pandemic, no problem. However, there is a reason why the disease took off in their state. They have a psychotic need to form large social gatherings and move from group to group. Your average Ohio person seems to think that the fact that Kentucky has a lower rate of the disease than Ohio is solely due to an act of God, or magic, or something, and has nothing to do with behavior.
Kentucky has already started kicking people out of state parks. News flash Ohio, when a state has to kick you out en-mass because of your behavior, you might want to consider that you are the problem. Of course the Ohio people will never believe that. They seem to think they are God's gift to the planet, and that others, especially the hicks of Kentucky, owe them.
Thursday, March 26, 2020
It's Not All Bad, part 3
During these times of crisis, a lot of things are closing. The state governments are mandating the closings of various businesses in order to slow the spread of the Corona virus. Prisoners are being let out of prison. I've even heard of a sheriff in North Carolina who refuses to recognize firearms carry permits because of, you know, the crisis.
Then there is Kentucky. Kentucky has closed their schools and non-essential businesses. The key part is what Kentucky considers essential. Liquor and gun stores are considered essential in the Commonwealth. So, during these times of crisis, I can go buy an AR-15 and a case of beer. Sometimes the state just gets it right.
Then there is Kentucky. Kentucky has closed their schools and non-essential businesses. The key part is what Kentucky considers essential. Liquor and gun stores are considered essential in the Commonwealth. So, during these times of crisis, I can go buy an AR-15 and a case of beer. Sometimes the state just gets it right.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
It's Not All Bad, part 2
I'm seeing looting taking place in other parts of the United States, like those places where the government has stated they won't prosecute minor crimes, like theft, during the crisis. Meanwhile, the people of Kentucky are posting items like this on Face Book:
One of the comments was even more explicit. It said, "I'm armed. If you break into my house, I will put you down". The comment was, of course, removed before I had a chance to snip it. Needless to say, I'm not too concerned about looting in Kentucky. The COVID - 19 pandemic has shown the dark side of a lot of people. It has also let some rays of light shine into an otherwise dark world. Finally, some people are realizing why America has a 2nd Amendment.
One of the comments was even more explicit. It said, "I'm armed. If you break into my house, I will put you down". The comment was, of course, removed before I had a chance to snip it. Needless to say, I'm not too concerned about looting in Kentucky. The COVID - 19 pandemic has shown the dark side of a lot of people. It has also let some rays of light shine into an otherwise dark world. Finally, some people are realizing why America has a 2nd Amendment.
Thursday, March 19, 2020
They Are That Stupid, part 4
I know the K-12 system has had problems reacting to the COVID - 19 outbreak. Think higher education is any better?
Last Sunday, I was told that the school was closed on Monday and Tuesday, but that I needed to report to work all day Monday and Tuesday in order to prepare top get my classes ready to go online and my labs to operate remotely. It didn't matter that my classes and labs had been operating remotely for some years. It didn't matter that the K-12 system was shut. It didn't matter that the governor had closed all the bars and restaurants and told people to stay home if they could. We needed to come in to be prepared to face the daunting task ahead of us. We were also told that if we wanted to remote in from home, we needed permission. Otherwise we were expected to maintain all office hours and to be on campus. The best part was when I was emailed that the faculty meeting on Friday was going on as planned. We would be given a SKYPE number for it, but we needed to come to campus, so we could SKYPE from our offices. Things were seriously amusing by this time.
On Monday night I got permission to telecommute, so I spent Tuesday setting up cameras, prepping my workspace, and checking my bandwidth to be sure I was prepared for Wednesday. I might have experience in remote teaching, but I've never run anything more advanced than one on one tutoring from home before and I wanted to appear somewhat professional. Of course, if "leadership" had decided this before the weekend, I wouldn't have had to do a rush job at the last minute. But, I digress....
On Wednesday, I woke up ready to start my remote teaching from home to find that all classes had been moved to a totally online format, including the labs. An hours notice to change the class modality for all courses and labs was a challenge. It was even fun.
By Wednesday night, I was told that all labs were closed, the school was shut for the next week and a half, and no one would be allowed on campus. Of course, not all labs were closed. The remote and online ones are going on as planned, but "leadership" used the word all. It was up to the faculty to resolve any confusion, and our students are easily confused.
To make matters worse, we've also been told to make sure students know that the school's Facebook page does not contain official information and that only official announcements are to be followed. Who's posting the announcements on the school's Facebook page then, and why? Does leadership actually have no control as to what goes on their official Facebook page? WTF?
I might enjoy such confusion, but we have students who are dealing with child care (day cares have been ordered closed as well), and lack of essentials in the stores (there is plenty of food, but no toilet paper, and baby supplies are running low). They really need an answer to what is happening long term so that they don't have to choose between school and family.
Last Sunday, I was told that the school was closed on Monday and Tuesday, but that I needed to report to work all day Monday and Tuesday in order to prepare top get my classes ready to go online and my labs to operate remotely. It didn't matter that my classes and labs had been operating remotely for some years. It didn't matter that the K-12 system was shut. It didn't matter that the governor had closed all the bars and restaurants and told people to stay home if they could. We needed to come in to be prepared to face the daunting task ahead of us. We were also told that if we wanted to remote in from home, we needed permission. Otherwise we were expected to maintain all office hours and to be on campus. The best part was when I was emailed that the faculty meeting on Friday was going on as planned. We would be given a SKYPE number for it, but we needed to come to campus, so we could SKYPE from our offices. Things were seriously amusing by this time.
On Monday night I got permission to telecommute, so I spent Tuesday setting up cameras, prepping my workspace, and checking my bandwidth to be sure I was prepared for Wednesday. I might have experience in remote teaching, but I've never run anything more advanced than one on one tutoring from home before and I wanted to appear somewhat professional. Of course, if "leadership" had decided this before the weekend, I wouldn't have had to do a rush job at the last minute. But, I digress....
On Wednesday, I woke up ready to start my remote teaching from home to find that all classes had been moved to a totally online format, including the labs. An hours notice to change the class modality for all courses and labs was a challenge. It was even fun.
By Wednesday night, I was told that all labs were closed, the school was shut for the next week and a half, and no one would be allowed on campus. Of course, not all labs were closed. The remote and online ones are going on as planned, but "leadership" used the word all. It was up to the faculty to resolve any confusion, and our students are easily confused.
To make matters worse, we've also been told to make sure students know that the school's Facebook page does not contain official information and that only official announcements are to be followed. Who's posting the announcements on the school's Facebook page then, and why? Does leadership actually have no control as to what goes on their official Facebook page? WTF?
I might enjoy such confusion, but we have students who are dealing with child care (day cares have been ordered closed as well), and lack of essentials in the stores (there is plenty of food, but no toilet paper, and baby supplies are running low). They really need an answer to what is happening long term so that they don't have to choose between school and family.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
They Are That Stupid, part 3
The governor of Kentucky has closed all the schools K-12 to prevent the spread of COVID - 19. That means everything below college and university level for the non-Americans. He has recently sent another message to the schools to let their teachers work from home. That's right. The schools have been forcing the teachers to come in and sit in empty classrooms. After all, you can't have them getting paid without them being there and they surely can't be trusted to answer emails at home.
Saturday, March 14, 2020
They Are That Stupid COVID - 19 part 2
I went to a local store the other day. Bear in mind that the governor of Kentucky has told people to avoid large crowds. So, what do the people do? Congregate in large groups in stores.
Why were they all congregated there? Toilet paper and had sanitizer. The store was full of food. It was full of medicine. It was full of baby food and diapers. What it did not have was hand sanitizer and cheap toilet paper. 1/3 of the toilet paper was still there, but they were the more expensive brands. By more expensive, I mean $3 more per 16 roll pack.
So why were all of these people there? They were waiting on the delivery truck to bring in new toilet paper. I understand if you have no toilet paper. I understand if the item in question is a necessity, like food of medicine. But to congregate in the store to save $3 a pack on toilet paper? It just seems stupid.
Why were they all congregated there? Toilet paper and had sanitizer. The store was full of food. It was full of medicine. It was full of baby food and diapers. What it did not have was hand sanitizer and cheap toilet paper. 1/3 of the toilet paper was still there, but they were the more expensive brands. By more expensive, I mean $3 more per 16 roll pack.
So why were all of these people there? They were waiting on the delivery truck to bring in new toilet paper. I understand if you have no toilet paper. I understand if the item in question is a necessity, like food of medicine. But to congregate in the store to save $3 a pack on toilet paper? It just seems stupid.
Friday, March 13, 2020
Yes. They Are That Stupid - COVID 19
The governor of Kentucky has closed the primary and secondary schools for 2 weeks due to the Corona virus. A laudable effort to avoid the spread of this disease. Kentucky may only have 11 cases to date, but we are taking speedy action to do what the governor calls, "social distancing". It basically means, let's stop the large crowds until we sort this thing out.
The schools have responded by claiming that school is the only time that many of their children get meals. If you ask what happened to the food stamps their parents get for them, the schools will quickly respond that the parents sold those for drugs long ago and the schools are the children's only hope to eat, but that is a topic for another post.
Bearing in mind that the schools now consider themselves to be combination food pantry/day care/education establishments, and education came last for a reason, the schools have responded by finding ways to keep the children fed.
The Mason county school district is opening their schools for breakfast and lunch. No classes of course, that would risk spreading the disease, but breakfast and lunch are, for some reason, not a time that someone can get infected with COVID -19. Of course, there is also the fact that if the school thinks the parents are going to pick up the children between breakfast and lunch, then they have been smoking something.
The Clinton county schools have decided to avoid this by having the teachers come in and go door to door delivering food to the students. This avoids the problems of large crowds, because everyone knows that viruses do not spread person to person, but wait until a certain number of people are present in order to strike.
I haven't seen what other school districts are doing, but I'm sure it is equally intelligent.
The schools have responded by claiming that school is the only time that many of their children get meals. If you ask what happened to the food stamps their parents get for them, the schools will quickly respond that the parents sold those for drugs long ago and the schools are the children's only hope to eat, but that is a topic for another post.
Bearing in mind that the schools now consider themselves to be combination food pantry/day care/education establishments, and education came last for a reason, the schools have responded by finding ways to keep the children fed.
The Mason county school district is opening their schools for breakfast and lunch. No classes of course, that would risk spreading the disease, but breakfast and lunch are, for some reason, not a time that someone can get infected with COVID -19. Of course, there is also the fact that if the school thinks the parents are going to pick up the children between breakfast and lunch, then they have been smoking something.
The Clinton county schools have decided to avoid this by having the teachers come in and go door to door delivering food to the students. This avoids the problems of large crowds, because everyone knows that viruses do not spread person to person, but wait until a certain number of people are present in order to strike.
I haven't seen what other school districts are doing, but I'm sure it is equally intelligent.
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