Work and School

 

March 21, 2020: Up until now, telecommuting has been something only a fortunate few were able to do in the normal course of work and only if they worked in the high-tech sector or if they had independent businesses that did not require in-person interaction with co-workers. Some employees might have chosen to work from home a couple of days per week, if permitted by their employers, but most commuted to work daily. 

Now everyone who can, is working from home. employers, but most commuted to work daily. Now everyone who can, is working from home. Those who can’t do their jobs at home and whose employers supply “essential services,” go to their workplaces anyway, in grocery stores, hospitals, pharmacies, in agriculture and defense, and to maintain utilities and essential infrastructure. Still others, whose jobs are outside of the “essential worker” designation or would put workers in danger of infection, have lost their jobs.

School has changed, too. On March 11, to prevent the spread of the virus, Seattle schools closed for a minimum of two weeks. Some schools (mostly private schools) quickly prepared lesson packets for students to do at home, or they are holding class online for part of each day. Working parents are finding it very challenging to get their work done while also minding their children. Some parents find it a particular challenge to guide their children through assignments that are “due” to be turned in online or by sending them through the mail to the teacher or school. 

I worry that only in the most advantaged families - those with computers and internet connection, those where parents can work from home or where a non-working parent is available to help their children navigate their new online assignments - will children have the best chances to learn. Families that struggle with work and childcare will be less able to provide support for their children's learning, thus exacerbating the achievement gap between the economically advantaged and disadvantaged. 

Doug and I are greatly relieved that our children are grown and out of school. And because we are retired, we are luckier than most. We do not need to travel or put ourselves at risk for our income. I can only hope that the efforts we all make now will help control the spread of the virus and allow us to go back to our lives soon.

As a result of the changes in work and school attendance, car traffic is light along the I-5 corridor through town. On a typical day, cars fight rush-hour traffic bumper to bumper at 5-25 miles per hour all day long. Not so now. About half the people who usually drive to work are staying home.

When people do go out of their houses, some wear a mask over their nose and mouth to keep from inhaling or spreading the virus. The most effective masks, rated N95, have been in short supply, as have disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and for some reason, toilet paper a favorite item to stock up on in an “emergency.” Some bought N95 masks in 2017 when heavy smoke drifted to urban areas from forest fires in both California and Washington. We did not. So far, we make do by shopping early in the morning, keeping our distance from others and washing our hands often.

How has the coronavirus changed work and schooling for your family?

I live in Seattle and have time to think. Muse, even. Retired from research consulting and report writing, I now write about family history and life around me.

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