NOW it can be told! AP starts to notice maybe there was a downside to pandemic-era school closures

Yesterday CNN’s Jake Tapper said he’s been “surprised that there hasn’t been a national conversation about the damage done to kids because of these school closures.” Tapper had brought up the issue before, but as for the reason(s) a “national conversation” didn’t take place the whole time, that’s not really a mystery.

However, there does appear to be an increasing number of media outlets suddenly noticing the damage that was done now that it’s less politically toxic to the preferred narrative to do so.

You’re legitimately 2 years behind

— Micah Don Arington (@arington_acemd) October 21, 2022

This story comes from the Associated Press’s “better late than never” department:

As effects of the pandemic on kids become clear, some adults are second-guessing extended school closures.

In @AP interviews, nearly 50 educators, parents and health officials looked back at decisions to keep kids online – and some had regrets. https://t.co/AS74AoL2QC

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 21, 2022

Preliminary test scores around the country confirm what Kargbo witnessed: The longer many students studied remotely, the less they learned. Some educators and parents are questioning decisions in cities from Boston to Chicago to Los Angeles to remain online long after clear evidence emerged that schools weren’t COVID-19 super-spreaders — and months after life-saving adult vaccines became widely available.

There are fears for the futures of students who don’t catch up. They run the risk of never learning to read, long a precursor for dropping out of school. They might never master simple algebra, putting science and tech fields out of reach. The pandemic decline in college attendance could continue to accelerate, crippling the U.S. economy.

Yeah, who could have possibly seen that coming?

Tom Elliott has a more honest framing of the AP’s story:

“Hey check out this breaking news we’ve been covering up for 2 years so as to protect our friends in power” — AP

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) October 22, 2022

NOW the story can be told!

“some adults” https://t.co/TFkFNwdh2K

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) October 22, 2022

Who might those “some adults” be?

We. Told. You.

— Federalist Muskrat 🇺🇸 (@Muskrat__) October 22, 2022

pic.twitter.com/gF7yzQdh9r

— Paul Pelosi's Drink in Hand (@BigDongDeSantis) October 22, 2022

Now Randi Weingarten is advising schools in Ukraine, because of course.

So I guess in a couple more years we can talk about all the suicides you coward pieces of shit caused https://t.co/54tKG6CcEG

— Oilfield Rando (@Oilfield_Rando) October 22, 2022

The actual damage that was done might not be known for decades.