Skip to content
Menu
Elizabeth T. Williams
  • About
  • Publications
  • Podcast
  • Research
  • Privacy Policy
Elizabeth T. Williams

Here we are again

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Liz

For the second time in two months, we are in quarantine. Thus far, we are well, and that’s something to be happy about, but it’s feeling a bit much at the moment. School hasn’t even started yet, and I’ll be taking yet another bout of leave (which isn’t leave — no one does my job when I’m away) for isolation requirements that feel unreasonable in the face of community spread that simply can’t be stopped.

And I’m not the only one. All the parents I know are either sick, in quarantine, or waiting for their turn. Welcome to 2022.

It’s funny, I’m an essential worker, so I’m allowed to go to work even if I’m a close contact. This is supposed to keep society going, and allows VCs and others to cheerfully declare that this is the semester we will return to in-person class, but everyone — National Cabinet included — has once again forgotten about the parents. I may be an essential worker, but I cannot go to work and teach (in person or otherwise) if I can’t put one or both of my kids in care. If you think otherwise, you clearly do not have much experience with small children — or have perhaps have very unusual kids.

If I do put my kids in care, they are highly likely to get exposed to covid and end up in quarantine (and/or sick), and then be excluded from care for 14 days. Not just once, but every time one of their classmates tests positive. Multiply that by number of classmates, and that’s a whole lot of risk, which vaccines and even prior infection do not change. Oh, and the best part? I still have to pay for that care, while figuring out whether and how to cover the missed time at work.

I don’t see any end to this, unless we as a society decide to simply stop quarantining when asymptomatic. Which sounds crazy, except, maybe it’s not.

Until that happens, well, parents are f*cked. Who exactly is going to do the work?

2 thoughts on “Here we are again”

  1. shaz says:
    January 17, 2022 at 1:21 am

    given all the scientific data (rather than all the spins out there), at this point, it is actually more crazy to continue to act like this is a deadly pandemic, and to force things that absolutely do not align with the facts of the situation.
    great podcast, by the way. but better listen soon before it’s taken down! i don’t think we’ve ever been in such a state of purported “freedom of speech” while being the exact opposite.

    Reply
    1. Liz says:
      January 18, 2022 at 10:49 am

      It’s all a bit messy, isn’t it? I have found that we have 7 days out instead of 14–if we don’t get sick. So things are marginally better than before. But still, one has to wonder when all of this will end.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ARCHIVES

  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • October 2021
©2023 Elizabeth T. Williams | Powered by WordPress & Superb Themes
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT