[Farm93]

I don’t believe masks will be required for college students in settings where there’s social distancing in place by blocking off seating.

That would be very inconsistent with everything we have seen to date.   The Pac-12's guidelines for all athletes and coaches to wear masks at all times except during film study and team meetings.  Just can't imagine that will change as we approach the key months for that the second wave.

Most of the world is way ahead of the USA on the new normal.   In some places in the world they have year round education, and in those countries it has been 6 feet and masks.    Both are going to have limited value if people are in the same room for hours, but that's the reality.   

I would expect schools will develop requirements for mask quality and publish strict policies on their use.

Yesterday I watched CNN's coverage of the re-opening of Universal Studios in Florida.   The on site newscaster explained that Universal had a strict policy that everyone must wear masks in the park.   Literally as she is saying that a man walks behind her with his mask covering only his chin while his daughter pulls down her mask to drink water.   It was hilarious to me, but does highlight how tough this will be for schools.

As I think about small classes using larger lecture halls, I do worry about the efficacy of that format.   Sure the teacher can talk to the students with the help of the audio system, but what about the students?   How would they ask questions, or communicate generally with the teacher, the students in the hall, and the students online?
 
Even if there are microphones stationed at different places participation will be dramatically lower as most students will edit themselves to only ask rather significant questions.  

For those that have ever attended a corporate meeting with employees in multiple sites, I fear the Stanford experience will be like that.   The people at the site with the speaker get a little better access, but everything feels a little awkward when the speaker tries periodically to see if those in remote locations have questions. 

The hybrid model sounds like the best option, but I don't think it will be a great experience.

[Farm93]

I don’t believe masks will be required for college students in settings where there’s social distancing in place by blocking off seating.

That would be very inconsistent with everything we have seen to date.   The Pac-12's guidelines for all athletes and coaches to wear masks at all times except during film study and team meetings.  Just can't imagine that will change as we approach the key months for that the second wave.

Most of the world is way ahead of the USA on the new normal.   In some places in the world they have year round education, and in those countries it has been 6 feet and masks.    Both are going to have limited value if people are in the same room for hours, but that's the reality.   

I would expect schools will develop requirements for mask quality and publish strict policies on their use.

Yesterday I watched CNN's coverage of the re-opening of Universal Studios in Florida.   The on site newscaster explained that Universal had a strict policy that everyone must wear masks in the park.   Literally as she is saying that a man walks behind her with his mask covering only his chin while his daughter pulls down her mask to drink water.   It was hilarious to me, but does highlight how tough this will be for schools.

As I think about small classes using larger lecture halls, I do worry about the efficacy of that format.   Sure the teacher can talk to the students with the help of the audio system, but what about the students?   How would they ask questions, or communicate generally with the teacher, the students in the hall, and the students online?
 
Even if there are microphones stationed at different places participation will be dramatically lower as most students will edit themselves to only ask rather significant questions.  

For those that have ever attended a corporate meeting with employees in multiple sites, I fear the Stanford experience will be like that.   The people at the site with the speaker get a little better access, but everything feels a little awkward when the speaker tries periodically to see if those in remote locations have questions. 

The hybrid model sounds like the best option, but I don't think it will be a great experience.