Area schools such as that at Mansfield, Missouri have closed their classes down for a few days in the past few weeks. Every school doesn’t close at the same time.
When absenteeism due to illness hits a certain percentage, the learning momentum is seriously interrupted. Meanwhile kids and teachers who are close to being too sick to be out there are not performing at their peak.
Yesterday, with 106 kids out of school was the tipping point for Mansfield schools. The rooms were quiet for Thursday and Friday in addition to the weekend while staff made extra effort to clean surfaces that could harbor flu germs. There is some evidence that these germs don’t last long in a dry environment. If they can be kept away from contact with kids till the germs expire of environment or age, then the flu can experience a well-deserved kick in the butt from the kids in the Ozarks.
Other parts of the country are experiencing weather conditions that could break the bonds of the winter illnesses by enforcing snowed-in-solitude. The Ozarks aren’t getting snow these few days, but RAIN and now, this afternoon alluvial mists are creeping across the pastures and woodlots…okay it’s fog. I need coffee.
