NH Child Care Providers Push Back Against ‘Impossible’ Regulations From Sununu Administration

New Hampshire Journal ^ | May 25, 2020 | Kim Haas

[CheshireTheCat]

New Hampshire child care providers are urging Gov. Chris Sununu to reconsider regulations that many in the industry call unrealistic, even during the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the Sununu administration released its original regulations allowing child care facilities to reopen, providers have been arguing that some of the restrictions are unworkable: limits on group sizes to 10 or less, having staff members wear masks or a washable cloth covering their nose and mouth “at all times while at work” — even while in break rooms with no other individuals present — and maintaining social distancing during meals.

Chris Emond, a member of the Governor’s Re-Opening Task Force and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Hampshire, told NHJournal that since child care professionals are rule followers by nature, they had some serious concerns about some of the language that was in the original guidance meant to stop the spread of COVID-19 when child care centers reopened.

“The child care people being rule followers are like, ‘All right, I’m trying to figure out how to keep eight toddlers away from each other during meals. It’s just not possible,’” Emond said...

[CheshireTheCat]

Somehow I don't think this is a problem only in New Hampshire.

[rlmorel]

Children, even young children, are not in general subject to the same risks nor are they as severe as the risks faced by elderly people with co-morbidities.

At least that is my understanding, and this graph by which we can use hospitalization as a proxy for severity.

Laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–associated hospitalization rates
by age group — COVID-NET, 14 states,March 1–28, 2020
I firmly believe we should be expending our resources and applying restrictions to people in a risk tiered way.

Instead, like most government endeavors, it is one size fits all. So you treat young and healthy sailors on an aircraft carrier the same as an 82 year old man with COPD, asthma, or any number of co-morbidities.

I think this approach is stupid and self destructive.

So, given that children don't react the same way, and we have to get people back to work, shouldn't we look at treating children and young people in general differently? It just makes sense to me.

[Blood of Tyrants]

This has never been about what makes sense.

[SendShaqtoIraq]

correct. there have been 12 yes TWELVE child deaths from covid across the WHOLE USA. 125 from regular flu this year.

[rlmorel]

In this case, no. I agree. But we are eventually going to have another one that is really serious, and we can’t do this crap again.

[Laslo Fripp]

Governor Chris Sununu (R-NH) is the poster boy for the Peter Principle.

[metmom]

I don’t know how you’d keep 8 toddlers away from each other at all.

I thought kids were supposed to be immune to this or something.

Why the concern?

[metmom]

Hey, he vetoed the dems attempts at sneaking in an income tax and gun control. I’ll cut him some slack.

Besides, when compared to Cuomo, he’s a vast improvement.

You got someone better in mind to vote for next election? I’m all ears.