Disaster/Pandemic – Page 7 – The Other Side Dallas

November 3, 2020November 3, 2020

1500 New COVID19 Cases

County Judge Clay Jenkins reported 1500 new COVID19 cases in Dallas on Monday. Dallas County Health and Human Services reported 1,517 new COVID19 cases in Dallas for a cumulative total nearing 100,000 confirmed cases, including 1,119 confirmed deaths.

For the 477 new confirmed cases, 375 came through the Texas Department of State Health Services’ electronic laboratory reporting system and one is from March.

The provisional seven-day average of daily new confirmed and probable cases (by date of test collection) for CDC week 43 has increased to 652 — the highest daily average of new cases since July – when Dallas was considered in the hot zone for infections.

Dallas ISD has had a significant increase in COVID19 infections also. They nearly tripled their caseload in only the first week. A provisional total of 587 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in school-aged children (5 to 17 years) during CDC week 43 – over twice the numbers of children diagnosed in this age group 4 weeks earlier (CDC week ending 9/26/2020).

Most Of 1500 New COVID19 Cases Coming From Clinics

“The large amount of cases today can be attributed to this data dump representing cases that were performed over a 15-day period,” explained Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins in a statement. “This is not really a backlog, but rather a bulk upload from outpatient clinics that have ramped up antigen testing this month. With the numbers that we are seeing, it is increasingly important that we wear a mask and avoid crowds. You know what to do, we just need to all do it.”

October 20, 2020October 20, 2020

To Learn Virtually Or Not?

Should Dallas ISD Students Learn Virtually

Should students learn virtually or not? As first reported by a Townview group, statements from Dan Micciche and former Townview Principal Ben Mackey indicate your Dallas ISD students should be at home learning – particularly while Dallas County is in the Red danger area for COVID19.

COVID19 numbers are racing higher at a surprising rate given the preparation prior to students returning to campus, but the focus appears heavily focused in favor of Texas Education Agency funding over student safety.

Ben Mackey Says Learn Virtually If Possible

One insider said this was due to the need for state funding to support the $3.7B bond package the administration has been pushing for new school facilities as enrollment drops annually.

There are also concerns about current and former Trustees who may have been implicated in recent reports about corrupt Dallas ISD contractors.

You Can Learn Virtually Today

Students have the option of moving from on campus instruction to virtual learning immediately, but can not move from virtual learning back into the classroom until a nine week grading period ends.

October 16, 2020October 16, 2020

College Testing Continuing Despite COVID19 Explosion

College testing will go on in Dallas ISD next week as planned despite COVID19 cases in multiple Dallas ISD high school campuses and many colleges making test scores optional for college admissions.

COVID19 cases forced County Judge Clay Jenkins to raise the threat level to Red this week and Dallas ISD COVID19 cases tripled in one week and are currently at more than six times the original number after less than two weeks.

College Testing

College tests such as the ACT or SAT have been used for years to assist with admissions decisions, but this year, numerous colleges and universities are making tests optional for admission due to COVID19.

The ACT and SAT entrance exams are the proverbial Coke and Pepsi of college admissions. Both exams are widely accepted by U.S. colleges, which often prompts the question: Which test should I take?

The answer to that question lies in understanding the differences between the two tests.

Both college admissions exams are wildly popular. In the class of 2019, a reported 2.2 million test-takers completed the SAT while 1.8 million students took the ACT. It is unclear how many students took both, but some experts say it has become more common for test-takers to complete both college testing batteries.

The SAT takes three hours, though with an optional 50-minute essay, the time adds up to almost four hours total. The ACT lasts two hours and 55 minutes, though a 40-minute optional writing test stretches it to a little more than three-and-a-half hours.

The SAT features 154 questions vs. 215 for the ACT. Broken down by test components, the SAT has a reading test that takes 65 minutes, a 35-minute writing and language test and an 80-minute math section. The ACT is comprised of a 35-minute reading test, 45-minute English test, 60-minute math section and 35-minute science test.

The SAT does not include an independent science section but incorporates science questions throughout the exam.

The scoring for each test also differs. For the SAT, total scores range from 400-1600; for the ACT, the composite score runs from 1-36. Those ranges do not include the optional essays, which are scored separately from each exam

October 12, 2020October 12, 2020

COVID19 Cases Triple In A Week

Dallas ISD‘s COVID19 cases triple. One week after return to campus for hybrid learners Dallas ISD is reporting three times the case load as last week’s numbers.

Initial numbers had Dallas ISD cases at 42 including students, school staff, and central office employees.

October 5, 2020October 5, 2020

Back To School COVID19 Numbers

Today is Back to School for the almost 50% of Dallas ISD students who chose to learn in person and we are tracking Dallas ISD’s self reported COVID19 numbers.

Dallas ISD has had several meetings and video series on returning students to campus safely. We know COVID19 has been transmitted to newborns and Dallas was referred to as a summer Hot Zone for COVID19. Given college campus spikes in COVID19 cases it will be interesting to see how Dallas responds.

Back To School Day 1 Data

Current numbers across Dallas ISD are minimal with 42 cases being reported this morning. We plan to update these numbers at least weekly, but will also alert parents if we see a spike in the district.

September 30, 2020September 30, 2020

Stay On Guard

The City of Dallas is launching Stay On Guard – a public awareness campaign – designed to slow spread of COVID19 through personal testimonials from residents, community leaders and organizations.

“We know this year has been very difficult for many of us and we’re all tired of staying at home, wearing masks, and seeing our friends and loved ones through screens; but now is not the time to let our guard down,” said Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson. “We must continue to encourage each resident to stay on guard as businesses reopen, students return to school, and families participate in fall sporting events and holiday celebrations.”

Stay On Guard

The Stay On Guard campaign focuses on four priorities: home, work, school and health — shining a light on essential workers who live in high density, multigenerational households, those who can’t work from home or may not have the option to maintain social distance from co-workers; children and college students returning to in-person learning and the school staff who are supporting them. The campaign encourages all Dallas residents to Stay on Guard by keeping their health a priority and get a free test when in doubt of their COVID19 status.

“Some of us are already planning holiday celebrations and visits with family and friends, but I want to remind everyone that our fight against the deadly coronavirus is far from over,” said Council Member Thomas. “As a nation we have surpassed a grim milestone of 200,000 thousand deaths due to COVID19 and here in Dallas County, we’ve lost more than 1,000 residents.”

Stay On Guard Dallas is a bilingual campaign that engages residents to become advocates within their communities to slow the spread of COVID19. Dallas residents may creating PSAs and promote them on social media with the tags #StayOnGuard or #EnGuardiaDallas.

Residents and business leaders can find a complete social media strategy in English and Spanish, including sample posts, downloadable logos, social media graphics and more to promote the campaign at DallasCityHall.com/StayOnGuard. Dallas has been described as a hot zone for COVID19 this summer.

“These months will be a very critical for our City, so we ask all Dallas residents to stay safe at home, work, school and take every precaution to stay healthy as we approach cold and flu season,” said Dr. Baggett. “Get tested before you go back to school and work, wear a mask, wash your hands and avoid large crowds.”

The Stay On Guard campaign kicks off at noon Sept. 30 with a virtual proclamation featuring Mayor Johnson, Council Member Thomas, and Dr. Baggett. Watch live on Facebook, YouTube, City of Dallas Cable Channel and Spectrum Ch. 95.

For more information, please visit dallascityhall.com /COVID19 or call 214-670-INFO (4636).