Making sense of numbers:
The CDC collects and reports Covid-19 tests and confirmed cases as well as deaths (attributed to persons having Covid-19 causing pre-existing conditions to cause death).

When you hear/see National Data from the “news” you will see aggregate totals.
These are not telling you if the cases are critical or asymptomatic.
They tell you total deaths – but they are not telling you the ages of those who have died.

Did you know – you may actually look at the data in an area as small as the US Census track? Of course this is not “Tracking” as it doesn’t tell you “who” has the virus. (Note: The present bill put forth in Congress that calls for tracking will actually say “who” – which means you might as well be wearing a scarlet letter!)

Still – lets consider this – everyone is nervous about schools closing and not letting young people attend elementary, High School or even Colleges! Our “Phase II” has already destroyed the THE (Tourism, Hospitality & Entertainment) industries. I hope the restaurants that are open are making ends meet with 25-50% capacity.

Looking at the Numbers from CDC – (As of Sept 7, 2020)

Cases: 5-17 years old – 366,583
Deaths: 5-17 years old – 84
Total age 5-17 in the US – 53,980,105
(estimated as US Census has different categories than CDC)

Cases: 18-40 years old – 1,786,352
Deaths: 18-40 years old – 2,592
Total age 18-44 – 112,806,642
(US Census has different categories than CDC)

If we use the “News Media” philosophy of showing only percentages – then:
% Cases of 5-17: .67% (Less than 1%) (Deaths too small % to show!)
% Cases 18-40: 1.58% (Deaths too small % to show!)

This does not show how many might catch the virus – and have underlying conditions and may have complications. This does not show how many may catch the virus and bring it home to parents and grandparents.

Thus, Elementary and High School parents would need to be vigilant about protections.
For College students, there may be a potential for mass virus if on campus. While they could be isolated and not pass the virus on to family – the question of protection remains.

So – due to less than 2% of the population getting the Covid Virus – there are people demanding that all schools be shut down.

Oh – by the way, in 2018 there were 22,348 Suicides in the 10-44 age group (6,211 in the 15-24 age)

Oh – by the way, in 2018 there were 13,313 Homicides deaths in the age 10-44 age group (9,841 in the 15-34 age)

These are both preventable deaths.

I don’t want to be political here – but Presidential Candidate Biden has proposed to increase spending at Schools by Billions (no exact numbers because there is no exact plan – just statements of what he says should be done – it is up to Congress to set up exact plans and budgets – as well as States who will use Federal Money)

Side note: There is already $800 Billion per year spent on elementary and secondary education – over $15,000 per student. Yet of that about $1,300 goes towards capital structures, and $380 towards school debts. (Hmm? – Class of 20 students would be $300,000 – and how much does the teacher get? – Average of $55,000 1st year – plus benefits and retirement. Not too bad – but that is average – which means lower socio-economic areas are likely on the low end. That does not bode well for teaching and learning) This is for a different discussion at another time.

From Biden’s remarks for reopening Wilmington DE schools:
“Money for ventilation and other health measures — but also more money to hire more teachers to keep classes small and socially distanced money for more psychologists and counselors to support our kids’ mental health.”
(Note the rest of his talk is about Trump not doing anything – but Biden does say: I would be working with leaders in Congress — now, today — to pass an emergency package for schools so they have all the resources they need.)

It is up to Congress to pass money – if a Bi-Partisan bill, that will be effective and efficient with tax payer money, then the President would most likely sign it into law. (Trump proposed an education budget in February – which provides more for states to determine spending rather than ear-mark spending at the federal level) https://www2.ed.gov/…/overview/budget/budget21/summary/21su…

Congress needs to act – and stop playing games with bills and tax payer money to support lobbyists. This is why so many Americans are calling for Congressional Term Limits. Congress needs to work for the people – not money.

It is “We the People” – not “We the Money”