We talk quite a bit about the impact of school closures on children, their families, and their futures. This is a thread about the medium to long-term impact of school closures on society and the political landscape. 1/

Middle Class Divestment from Public Education. Enrollment dips occurred in nearly every city district in the US. Families choosing private, homeschool, pods/microschools. When the MC divests from Public Ed, it will create long-term funding issues & exacerbate inequity. 2/

There is only so long that a parent will go without their children being educated. You can now hire a virtual Zoom tutor from anywhere (inc India & other countries), and you can give your child individualized attention using your state curriculum-better than Zoom w/40 kids. 3/

Middle Class divestment from Public Education also means that public schools will become similar to public hospitals-used only as a last resort for people without options. This will have a devastating effect on equity, and future prospects for low income students. 4/

Funding spirals mean layoffs for Teachers & PS Staff. In blue states, Teaching is a profession that pays well and has enormous perks & benefits unavailable to most private sector workers. 5/

Erosion of Labor Union Power- we already see support waning for Teachers' Unions, who many are blaming for schools not reopening. We are seeing lifelong Dems turn against Teachers' Unions and hoping to curb their power and influence. 6/

Shift in political landscape - it is an absolute fact that this has become a wedge issue in state/local politics. Watching red states in the US open their schools with minimal issue is causing anger and hostility against Dem politicians. Dems need state legislatures. 7/

In NYC, this will influence the Mayoral & City Council races only 1 year from now. The longer children are not in a classroom, the angrier that parents get and their desire to find a candidate who will stand up to special interest increases. 8/

We can expect the same in cities/states throughout the US. People can tolerate many injustices, but if you harm someone's child for no justifiable reason, there will be repercussions. Poorly thought out COVID policy is likely part of why Dems lost ground in the House. 9/

Many children have not been in school since MARCH. We are now talking 9 months of no classroom learning. This is a preventable national catastrophe, driven by anti-science rhetoric and there is no conceivable way we will escape without a shift in the electoral landscape. 10/10