School closings

[Rolltydr]

To be fair, the initial question was raised by a Canadian, so he may not be aware of the issues of poverty in the USA, particularly in many inner city school districts. It points out some of the many differences in our two countries. It is not that we don't have poor people here and we do have breakfast programs in some schools. But our education system, minimum wage, labour laws and social support structures have many differences from what is common in the USA.

I could always turn the comment around and state that isn't it strange in this age of having all kinds of information at our fingertips, there are still some that don't know that such a phenomenon is rare, and therefore sometimes surprising, in most other western, developed nations? Just sayin'.

Are you saying it is rare in all nations or rare in the US? It is estimated that 20% (15 million) of children in US are in families that live below the poverty level. That isn’t rare.

NCCP | Child Poverty

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[CanuckTravlr]

Are you saying it is rare in all nations or rare in the US? It is estimated that 20% (15 million) of children in US are in families that live below the poverty level. That isn’t rare.

NCCP | Child Poverty

I said that the issue with high levels of poverty and needing to feed a large portion of school-age children is rare in most other western, developed nations, not ALL nations, when compared to the incidence in the USA. In Canada, for example, our poverty line is higher than yours (approx. $30,000 vs. $20,000). Despite that, our child poverty rate is less than half of yours (9.0% vs. 20.0%).

The Daily — Canadian Income Survey, 2017

Median after-tax income of Canadian families and unattached individuals rose 3.3% to $59,800 in 2017, following two years without growth.

www150.statcan.gc.ca

So for those of us that live in places like Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, this issue can be surprising because we generally don't have it, or at least not in the same degree, for many of the reasons I outlined in my post. That is all I was saying, since you seemed to take exception to the fact a foreign national ("Maple_Leaf") is not aware of this issue in this day and age with all the technology and resources that are available. It is not part of our reality.

 

[WVBaker]

That is all I was saying, since you seemed to take exception to the fact a foreign national ("Maple_Leaf") is not aware of this issue in this day and age with all the technology and resources that are available. It is not part of our reality.

Just a word of advice. As I found out, comprehension seems to be an issue.

 

[Rolltydr]

I said that the issue with high levels of poverty and needing to feed a large portion of school-age children is rare in most other western developed nations, not ALL nations, when compared to the incidence in the USA. In Canada, for example, our poverty line is higher than yours (approx. $30,000 vs. $20,000). Despite that, our child poverty rate is less than half of yours (9.4% vs. 20.0%).

The Daily — Canadian Income Survey, 2017

Median after-tax income of Canadian families and unattached individuals rose 3.3% to $59,800 in 2017, following two years without growth.

www150.statcan.gc.ca

So for those of us that live in places like Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, this issue can be surprising because we generally don't have it, or at least not in the same degree, for many of the reasons I outlined in my post. That is all I was saying, since you seemed to take exception to the fact a foreign national ("Maple_Leaf") is not aware of this issue in this day and age with all the technology and resources that are available. It is not part of our reality.

I apologize if I offended anyone in my initial response. I was actually trying to highlight the number of US citizens that are unaware of the problem. Several of them had responded before I made my post. I didn’t intend to catch you and other Canadians in the crossfire.

Why do you think poverty is not as big a problem in in your country and the others you mention? What are you doing that we aren’t in order for keep people from living in poverty?

 

[CanuckTravlr]

While poverty is still a problem in all countries, including Canada, it is more a question of degree. I don't believe there is any one solution or any magic bullet. It has to be a multi-pronged approach, which is what we and most other developed countries have done. It starts with a higher minimum wage, so that people have at least a chance at being able to support their families.

Plus our labour laws tend to be more restrictive. They may prevent employers from laying people off or firing them easily without cause, regulate work hours, such as short or split shifts and enforce daily and weekly overtime pay beyond set hours. We also tend to have a larger, more integrated, social safety net. This may include such things as special social insurance provisions (our equivalent of social security) in the event of lay-off or job loss, integrated welfare, low-income supplements and tax-credits or exemptions.

We certainly haven't solved the problem fully either. I'm not even sure that is possible in any country, no matter how wealthy. We tend to pay higher taxes (both income and sales taxes) to support all this. Perhaps part of it is a national mentality. We see it to some degree as a societal obligation, which is similar IME to the approach in many other western democracies.

 

[1st Class]

[QUOTE <<snip>> Why do you think poverty is not as big a problem in in your country and the others you mention? What are you doing that we aren’t in order for keep people from living in poverty?
[/QUOTE]

I'm not Canadian but would venture a guess that their national healthcare system combined with a more generous budget would be an effective method.

 

[Rolltydr]

While poverty is still a problem in all countries, including Canada, it is more a question of degree. I don't believe there is any one solution or any magic bullet. It has to be a multi-pronged approach, which is what we and most other developed countries have done. It starts with a higher minimum wage, so that people have at least a chance at being able to support their families.

Plus our labour laws tend to be more restrictive. They may prevent employers from laying people off or firing them easily without cause, regulate work hours, such as short or split shifts and enforce daily and weekly overtime pay beyond set hours. We also tend to have a larger, more integrated, social safety net. This may include such things as special social insurance provisions (our equivalent of social security) in the event of lay-off or job loss, integrated welfare, low-income supplements and tax-credits or exemptions.

We certainly haven't solved the problem fully either. I'm not even sure that is possible in any country, no matter how wealthy. We tend to pay higher taxes (both income and sales taxes) to support all this. Perhaps part of it is a national mentality. We see it to some degree as a societal obligation, which is similar IME to the approach in many other western democracies.

Thanks for providing the detailed response. I wondered if many of those things were in place there. Are most of those things universally accepted or do you continually have disagreements over them in your political system? Also, how does your minimum wage work? How is it raised? Is it truly national or can cities and provinces have a different, higher level?


Harry

 

[VacationForever]

Just an observation: isn’t it strange in this age of having all kinds of information at our fingertips, there are still some that don’t know there are a lot of poor people, including children, in this, the richest country on earth?


Harry

USA is nowhere near the richest country on earth.

These are the 25 richest countries in the world

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the gross national income (GNI) per capita of nearly 200 nations to identify the 25 richest countries.

www.usatoday.com

 

[CanuckTravlr]

As with any government regulation, taxation provision or law, there are always different opinions, which can sometimes be quite partisan. The right to a decent living wage is overall generally accepted in Canada, IMO. As with any society you will obviously find some who may disagree. But just as with health care, most of us consider it to be a basic human right. Other Canadians are free to offer their observations.

Labour laws, with the exception of federally-regulated industries such as transportation and banking, are a provincial responsibility. So the laws can vary somewhat from province to province, but over time, just like our healthcare system, they tend to look very similar. Our cities are legally creatures of the province, so they have very limited powers of self-government. Each provincial legislature sets the laws and regulates them. Unlike our federal government, our provincial legislatures are unicameral. No senates.

 

[Rolltydr]

USA is nowhere near the richest country on earth.

These are the 25 richest countries in the world

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the gross national income (GNI) per capita of nearly 200 nations to identify the 25 richest countries.

www.usatoday.com

I know, but for some reason we have a lot of people who like to say that. Thanks for the link, though.


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[geekette]

I'm not Canadian but would venture a guess that their national healthcare system combined with a more generous budget would be an effective method.

Also sounds like employees have standing and cannot be easily tossed aside to improve bottom line. I live in an At Will state, every day could be my last. For any reason or no reason. the lower you are on the totem pole, the more disposable. One can also work themselves up to being too expensive to keep.

 

[Rolltydr]

As with any government regulation, taxation provision or law, there are always different opinions, which can sometimes be quite partisan. The right to a decent living wage is overall generally accepted in Canada, IMO. As with any society you will obviously find some who may disagree. But just as with health care, most of us consider it to be a basic human right. Other Canadians are free to offer their observations.

Labour laws, with the exception of federally-regulated industries such as transportation and banking, are a provincial responsibility. So the laws can vary somewhat from province to province, but over time, just like our healthcare system, they tend to look very similar. Our cities are legally creatures of the province, so they have very limited powers of self-government. Each provincial legislature sets the laws and regulates them. Unlike our federal government, our provincial legislatures are unicameral. No senates.

Sounds like a wonderful place to live. Thanks for the response.


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[CanuckTravlr]

USA is nowhere near the richest country on earth.

These are the 25 richest countries in the world

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the gross national income (GNI) per capita of nearly 200 nations to identify the 25 richest countries.

www.usatoday.com

Statistical semantics to some degree.

This particular chart measures per capita income, which is the average measure of wealth for each citizen. So yes, the USA as a very large country does not come out on top. But with a GDP of over $17 trillion it is right there at the top, which is a measure of a country's overall (rather than individual) wealth. Only China is bigger in GDP, but isn't even on the list in terms of per capita wealth.

So I think it is fair to say that the USA is certainly one of the richest nations on earth, even if not the very richest in either category. Other than China, no one even comes close in total GDP and the USA is in the top group of per capita income, too.

 

[VacationForever]

Statistical semantics to some degree.

This particular chart measures per capita income, which is the average measure of wealth for each citizen. So yes, the USA as a very large country does not come out on top. But with a GDP of over $17 trillion it is right there at the top, which is a measure of a country's overall (rather than individual) wealth. Only China is bigger in GDP, but isn't even on the list in terms of per capita wealth.

So I think it is fair to say that the USA is certainly one of the richest nations on earth, even if not the very richest in either category. Other than China, no one even comes close in total GDP and the USA is in the top group of per capita income, too.

Per capita income is a much better measure of well being of all citizens as opposed to GDP, hence there are lots of poor people in USA.

 

[itradehilton]

Working and living in the south bay (south of Silicon valley in CA) as a teacher. Many school districts around me are closed from 1-4 weeks depending on the number of COVID 19 cases in the community. The school district I work in has instructed all nonessential employees to work from home.

Administration is in charge of putting together (with teacher input online) materials for the students to do at home. Parents will drive through and pick up the packets once a week.

Also since we have a high number of students who receive school breakfast and lunch they now have a drive through line at each school for 3 hours a day. Everyone who drives through will get a lunch and breakfast for every child in the car.

May this crisis pass through our community swiftly.

 

[CanuckTravlr]

Per capita income is a much better measure of well being of all citizens as opposed to GDP, hence there are lots of poor people in USA.

I never claimed either measure was either defining or "better".

As a former Economics major I don't fully agree with your assertion of per capita being "better". It just measures income "differently".

GDP is a measure of the overall income/production of a nation, while per capita income measures the average income/production of each citizen. Each only gives you part of the story. Median income is generally a better measure of the typical income of the majority of citizens (and how well off they are), than either per capita income or total GDP, but it is much harder to calculate. The USA has one of the highest levels of income inequality in the world. It has a higher-than-average number of citizens with extreme wealth and also a higher-than-average number of citizens living in poverty. If median income had been compared on the chart, that would have shown up.

None of the measures by themselves tells you much about how rich a nation is, nor did I say that. But taken together, especially with the median income added, you get a more complete story. The fact the USA scores relatively highly in both the measures used, definitely qualifies it as a relatively rich nation. The American proclivity for only counting a win when you are #1 does not apply here.

The USA is #2 in GDP partly due to its large population, which is also the reason China is #1. However China doesn't come close in per capita income. While the USA falls to 12th in per capita income, all the countries ahead of it are relatively small, wealthy enclaves. None of them have even 10 million residents and most are well under 5 million. Also none of them are even in the top 30 of total GDP and most are not in the top 50. So no other country in the top 12 makes the grade in both measures.

I therefore stand by my assertion that the USA is one of the richest countries in the world. That statement is valid even if it is only #12 in per capita income. The argument could also be made that overall it is still the richest country in the world, but that would properly require looking at actual wealth (assets owned) as well, rather than just income measurements.

 

[CanuckTravlr]

Working and living in the south bay (south of Silicon valley in CA) as a teacher. Many school districts around me are closed from 1-4 weeks depending on the number of COVID 19 cases in the community. The school district I work in has instructed all nonessential employees to work from home.

Administration is in charge of putting together (with teacher input online) materials for the students to do at home. Parents will drive through and pick up the packets once a week.

Also since we have a high number of students who receive school breakfast and lunch they now have a drive through line at each school for 3 hours a day. Everyone who drives through will get a lunch and breakfast for every child in the car.

May this crisis pass through our community swiftly.

These efforts are so laudable. Thank you to you and all involved for setting such a shining example in a time of great challenge. We need more of this type of local organizing and creative thinking. What a difference you are making in so many individual lives by providing programs that give both mental and physical sustenance during this difficult challenge. You are all a credit to your profession. Bravo!!

 

[MULTIZ321]

Coronavirus Lockdowns Are Creating Big Challenges For Deaf Students Being Forced To
Leave College

Coronavirus Lockdowns Are Creating Big Challenges For Deaf Students Being Forced To Leave College

“The Deaf community is one big family,” a counselor at Gallaudet University said. "But it's easy that we are forgotten about."

www.buzzfeednews.com

Richard

 

[1st Class]

@CanuckTravlr: Thank you for your informative posts. The comment that sparked this conversation makes a lot more sense now.

@itradehilton: Creative thinking makes a real difference! Love the drive-thru idea! You and your district are a blessing to your students.

 

[Jan M.]

It was just announced on our news that our governor ordered all Florida schools, public and private, closed until 4/15.

 

[MULTIZ321]

KIDSACTIVITIESBLOG.COM

Here's The Entire List of Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions Due to School Closings


Richard

 

[bbodb1]

Arkansas schools now closed until April 17th.

 

[Rolltydr]

It was just announced on our news that our governor ordered all Florida schools, public and private, closed until 4/15.

Has he closed the beaches yet? The Alabama governor finally got around to closing all beaches, public and private, as of 5pm today.


Harry

 

[bluehende]

Has he closed the beaches yet? The Alabama governor finally got around to closing all beaches, public and private, as of 5pm today.


Harry

 

[MULTIZ321]

Has he closed the beaches yet? The Alabama governor finally got around to closing all beaches, public and private, as of 5pm today.


Harry

Coronavirus comes for spring break: Local oKlcials
close Florida beaches after governor refuses to.

Coronavirus comes for spring break: Local officials close Florida beaches after governor refuses to

At the height of the spring break rush, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he would not order the beaches closed.

www.nbcnews.com

.


Richard