I'd put it to Blinder Data that just because he can't think of practical alternatives doesn't mean there aren't any. Besides, if schools have to close because of self isolating (which they will have to) then it's a moot point isn't it? It's closed either way. Come to terms with it.
I would love to hear about what could replace schools as a universal system of educating kids in these times - it's not my lack of imagination that has prevented it from happening.
In any case, you're the one who is arguing against the opening of schools, so I think it should fall to you to suggest practical alternatives.
Obviously some schools will have to close temporarily due to outbreaks but that doesn't mean ALL schools have to close indefinitely. We're going to have to live with local lockdowns until there's a vaccine.
Several of the supposedly disastrous implications aren't really disastrous (whether people have kids or not - do better than that) and the 'So what we just keep them at home forever' arguments are disingenuous and beneath replying to.
If we continue educating kids in 'lockdown' conditions, they will be seriously disadvantaged compared with previous and subsequent generations. I think that's pretty inarguable.
Finnquark in this thread has talked about the struggles his students have had. There's also all the poor kids who depend on schools for things other than education, like food, friends, adults who give them attention/praise, etc. Plus it would help the parents get some work done.
"Disingenuous and beneath replying to"? Really?! You're one of the most argumentative people on here - I can't believe I appear to have shut you up with a simple thought experiment that you appear to be proposing we should implement in real life.
What happened in March could happen again, even worse, this winter. Schools have opened right as the infections are climbing dramatically. Each one adds to the viral load many times over due to the nature of such a large building with so many in it going back and forth every day, the reinfections will take off and make a further lockdown which closes schools anyway, more likely.
As I've said, I'd be pretty happy closing most non-essential businesses if it meant we could open schools and therefore reduce the viral load. Children's education is too important for all schools to remain closed, especially when they do not suffer from the illness that badly.