COVID-19 is reality, not science fiction

Highland Highlights

By Mike Jorgensen
Posted 4/8/20

I have always been a big fan of science fiction books and movies. A common theme among many of these novels and movies is when a virus strikes the world and causes a pandemic.

Some movies focus on …

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COVID-19 is reality, not science fiction

Highland Highlights

Posted

I have always been a big fan of science fiction books and movies. A common theme among many of these novels and movies is when a virus strikes the world and causes a pandemic.

Some movies focus on apocalyptic results (“28 Days Later,” “I Am Legend,” “Twelve Monkeys”).

The ones I found the most disturbing were the viral outbreaks that create health concerns (“Andromeda Strain,” “Outbreak” and “Contagion”). I recently had started watching a Netflix series titled “Rain,” about a deadly virus being spread through drops of rain.

I watched the first few episodes in January but in recent weeks have decided I could watch what many of us thought was science fiction on most of the cable news channels.

There was no formal training in my administrative and superintendent training on how to deal with a pandemic. This is an unprecedented time without anyone having the experience to direct us on how to deal with it.

Only time will tell who eventually was right or wrong in terms of who dealt with this pandemic correctly. That may be years from now.

I have been involved in several of the administrative team meetings taking place at the Highland Community School District over the last month. I can tell you that I have been impressed with the level of leadership I see taking place with very little guidance being given.

The communication has been strong and concerns over trying to keep a balance between health and safety versus student learning are being addressed. I am impressed with the network of superintendents across the state who are communicating with each other and supporting each other as districts are working through this crisis.

There is so much uncertainty. While the initial hope was to be back to being in school in April, I personally question whether or not things will be able to reopen again next August. We don’t know. So much of this virus is an unknown with many more questions than answers.

I encourage those of you who have questions or concerns to email an administrator. Calling may not be the best right now.

While there probably won’t be a definitive answer, I’m sure they will be willing to update you with what is being discussed and what the latest line of thinking may be.

Keep in mind, this sometimes changes daily depending on that day’s briefing from the governor’s office. It is a trying time, and I keep thinking that maybe I will wake up from this science fiction nightmare.

Unfortunately, this is today’s reality.