It’s been two weeks of social distancing for Washington State and the Governor just issued an official “stay at home” order for 2 weeks—not that our lives will change much. We already figured we were home for the duration.
Many of my mathematical friends are in the vanguard of the third wave, starting their transitions to online teaching today. For many, their institutions were on spring break when the pandemic broke. Then granted an extra week for preparations, they are now making things happen for their students. I felt a social-media sigh as worries about “what to do” transformed into realities that they really “could do” this work. Creativity, caring, and resilience. I see it everywhere.
As for me, I’ve managed to get everything collated, graded, and entered into the grade book. I will meet UW’s submission deadline of Tuesday at 5 pm and have the rest of my so-called-spring-break to plan Spring quarter’s online courses. A huge burden has been lifted from my shoulders and yet, I worry about the small number of students that just disappeared over the last two weeks. What happened to them? Are they alright? Will they return? What help do they need?
Math in the Time of Corona 
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