Read on Twitter
Thread.
1)- Yesterday @thenews_intl published this oped: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/679176-covid-emergency-education.
It argued, "schools should be reopened."
I disagree with this oped.
And also the way @thenews_intl published it.
1)- Yesterday @thenews_intl published this oped: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/679176-covid-emergency-education.
It argued, "schools should be reopened."
I disagree with this oped.
And also the way @thenews_intl published it.
2)- First, @thenews_intl should have published a full disclosure that writer is a CEO of Pakistan's largest manufacturer of writing accessories.
And the writer also allegedly is a CEO of a private school.
Without a full disclosure, interests and biases remain hidden.
And the writer also allegedly is a CEO of a private school.
Without a full disclosure, interests and biases remain hidden.
3)- Being a parent I don't think it's a good idea to reopen schools now. Why? Pay heed to the precautionary principle.
According to that if an activity involves a remote chance of any irreversible damage to my children I should do whatever I can in my power to prevent that.
According to that if an activity involves a remote chance of any irreversible damage to my children I should do whatever I can in my power to prevent that.
4)- Also, the author cites many studies. Problem with a pandemic is that even some research on it is a moving target.
Lancet is the world's leading medical journal. It retracted the study on hydroxychloroquine recently: https://twitter.com/TheLancet/status/1268613313702891523?s=20.
Lancet is the world's leading medical journal. It retracted the study on hydroxychloroquine recently: https://twitter.com/TheLancet/status/1268613313702891523?s=20.
5)- Further, it's even difficult for WHO to be prudent during a pandemic.
Remember, when it all started WHO suggested masks only for sick, & not for everyone.
Even the leading risk expert Nassim Taleb criticized WHO's role: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public.
Remember, when it all started WHO suggested masks only for sick, & not for everyone.
Even the leading risk expert Nassim Taleb criticized WHO's role: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public.
6)- Also, let's say you open schools, how sure are you that schools, adults and students will follow SOPs?
I can say with much confidence that SOPs will not be followed.
A visit to a grocery store and earlier actions taken by the govt also suggest that.
I can say with much confidence that SOPs will not be followed.
A visit to a grocery store and earlier actions taken by the govt also suggest that.
7)- Also, let's say you open schools and all adults follow SOPs.
Do you think children can follow all SOPs? Do you think children would stop playing with toys or stationery e.g. taking a toy or pencil, with an invisible virus on it, in their mouth?
Do you think children can follow all SOPs? Do you think children would stop playing with toys or stationery e.g. taking a toy or pencil, with an invisible virus on it, in their mouth?
8)- Also, the author recommended that schools should operate in two shifts.
Would it not raise the costs of running a school? Who would schools pass such costs to? To consumers (parents in this case).
Would it not raise the costs of running a school? Who would schools pass such costs to? To consumers (parents in this case).
9)- Further, given many hot spots, how do you recommend we open schools?
Should we open every school? Or district by district? Or town by town? Or highschools first and junior schools later?
The author didn't throw any light on that.
Should we open every school? Or district by district? Or town by town? Or highschools first and junior schools later?
The author didn't throw any light on that.
10)- Most importantly, you don't throw your priceless assets into lethal danger.
I would never throw my children into a known danger.
And if I'm sincere to the well-being of other people then I should also try to convince other people not to place such dangerous bets.
I would never throw my children into a known danger.
And if I'm sincere to the well-being of other people then I should also try to convince other people not to place such dangerous bets.
11)- This oped also taught me another thing on Twitter. The author is friends with prominent people and they all shared his piece. That's fine.
And it's also true that a friendship put certain demands on you and you have to do favours to your friends.
And it's also true that a friendship put certain demands on you and you have to do favours to your friends.
12)- But if your friends are prominent people, and most of them push your writing without registering their fair critique, then the onus is more on common men and women to register their disagreement openly not just sit and watch.
