Who is carving Turkey and giving thanks for family and friends this Thanksgiving? Maybe no one. The far-reaching effects of an ever-changing pandemic have left many a family dining table abandoned – and no life unaffected. It comes down to an almost complete disruption to the lives of our kids. Colossal exigencies have been put into place, from mandates and missteps in handling COVID-19 to the ever-changing directives from health care professionals and politicians. With impending changes regarding who can and cannot get the COVID-19 vaccine, the striking increase in homeschooled children, and uncertain travel difficulties, Thanksgiving 2021 might not be the Norman Rockwell-style event Americans have come to expect.
Get In Line, Kiddos
(Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
As of October 29, 2021, the Pfizer vaccine became available for children between five and 11. For many parents of school-aged children, this could eventually lead to lifted mask and social distancing mandates along with the eradication of the ever-dreaded quarantine. Others fear schools may go beyond the call of duty and force children to get the shot in order to attend. Fortunately, most public schools are yet to require vaccinations for those who wish to continue in-person learning.
So what? Kids stayed home last year during the height of the pandemic. But now, the FDA’s approval of the vaccine for kids may free up some options that weren’t available last year. Some parents are relieved they would be able to let their kids gobble up turkey and stuffing with their immune-compromised grandpa without fear of spreading the bug. Others are reluctant to pump their children full of a product that is new to the inoculation rounds. Most vaccines take years to work through the traditional testing process. Does this mean the cautious families should not attend this year’s Thanksgiving dinner? The glory of this country and its Constitution is that each family is free to make that choice. The federal government has not advised we avoid large gatherings this holiday season, as it did for the last. But the admonition is that people would be safer once they receive the jab.
Elementary School Drop-Outs
While students who attend public schools look forward to the annual three-day break from school, a broadening group won’t notice much of a difference – except, of course, the absence of schoolwork. Since the start of the pandemic, public schools have seen a dramatic decrease in student enrollment. Approximately 20% of children are taught at home rather than in a public setting. As Liberty Nation Senior Political Analyst Tim Donner recently noted:
“The stinging rebuke of the nation’s public education system is evidenced not just by the election results, but even more so, and more directly, by the skyrocketing rate of homeschooling since the pandemic began to recede.”
Parents feel comfort in knowing that their kids are better protected from the virus at home, though the coronavirus is not the only explanation for the spike in the number of homeschooled kids. Bullying, drug use, gender-neutral bathrooms, and even standardized testing have contributed to the suddenly popular idea.
In a recent Fox News article, a principal in Austin, TX, was outed for removing the doors to both the girl’s and boy’s bathrooms. Her reasoning is arguably sound: To reduce the amount of drug use and other dangerous behaviors committed in restrooms. But bathrooms without doors? It seems a little, well, exposing. Controversial decisions, in addition to the seemingly endless issues with public schooling, have prompted parents to take the plunge and learn to educate.
Attention All Travelers
Travel bans and other COVID restrictions could put a damper on holiday plans for American families sprinkled worldwide. If Thanksgiving with all the trappings is the family's wishes, travel within the borders of the United States is not much of a problem. International travel, however, can be slightly more burdensome.
For those Americans or family members on foreign soil, air travelers will have to be fully vaccinated and show proof of said vaccinations to enter the United States. In addition, unvaccinated citizens returning home from overseas must undergo a COVID test and show proof of negative results within 24-hours of their departure. And what appears to be just for kicks in frustrating travelers more than usual, vaccinated fliers are required to show proof of vaccinations AND show a negative COVID test 72-hours before their flight. These restrictions do not apply to children under 18, but for traveling families, the headache is the same, and children are affected whether or not they are the target of the mandates. Maybe “Zooming” Thanksgiving dinner would be less drama-inducing.
~ Read more from Kirsten Brooker.
