For most school districts, classes start this week. A few have already started, so students and teachers have already been in the classrooms.
As a parent, I’m just as ready as my kids for school to start. That’s not only because they will be in a learning environment and amongst their friends, but because I get to see how they have grown over the summer.
As a journalist, it will provide opportunities for more local coverage.
That’s not what my column is about though. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, it disrupted the normal flow of life, especially in the school system. There seems to be a better hold on COVID-19 and life has resumed to some form of normalcy, although the threat of the disease is still present.
In addition to COVID-19, now there is a threat of Monkey Pox. It has yet to be found in East Williamson County, but there is still a possibility that it could happen.
Unlike COVID-19, Monkey Pox is a little harder to spread. This disease is spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has Monkey Pox.
It could also be seen as a sexually transmitted disease because it can be spread by sex. It can also be passed from parent to child at birth.
Monkey Pox sounds familiar to something else – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, in other words, AIDS.
In the 80s and 90s, AIDS was a major concern for parents sending their children back to school. That was mostly from the spread of miscommunication. Similar to AIDS, many people believe Monkey Pox is spread through homosexual relations. Also similar to AIDS, that is incorrect.
The only thing I’m suggesting is to make sure you have accurate information when sending your children back to school, just to make sure they are safe. Not only them, but you as parents.
I’m going to get off my soapbox early because I still have so much to do.
“I would encourage you, be informed - knowledge is power.” — Matt Bevin
