The Measles’ Silver Lining

The Measles’ Silver Lining

There’s a story told of two German Jewish gentlemen who were seated across from one another on a train during the increasingly dark period preceding the rise of the Third Reich.

“My God!” exclaims Herr Strauss. “Is that the Nazi newspaper you’re reading?”

“Why yes,” responds Herr Oppenheim, matter-of-factly.

“But how can you bring yourself to read such filth?” demands the dumbstruck Herr Strauss.

Herr Oppenheim gently puts down the paper and says: “See here, my friend. This is the only paper I can read that gives me something to feel good about. If I read any of the other papers, there is only news of growing anti-Semitism, restrictions, confiscations, humiliation, deprivation and suffering. But in this paper, we own all the banks, run all the industries and have all the power! Can you blame me for reading it?”

Like Herr Oppenheim, I confess to finding something to feel good about during times of foreboding. While, tragically, there was no silver lining for those represented in the gallows-humor story of the two men on the train, I’ve learned that the Avian Influenza scare, feared acts of terrorism, and the current measles outbreak harken at least one good tiding for private schools.

Please understand that I DON’T welcome any of the above-mentioned calamities, and would much prefer to see a world free of disease, hatred and suffering. I DON’T relish the current measles outbreak and wish it had never occurred. I’m also well aware that the situation has caused innumerable headaches for private school leadership.

All of the above notwithstanding, I can’t say my interactions with every Department of Public Health professional with whom I’ve had occasion to speak over the course of the past few weeks haven’t left me feeling anything other than appreciative, grateful and upbeat. (I feel the same way after speaking with various law enforcement officials at times of perceived risk.) These dedicated and hardworking people don’t see society through a political lens. They’re blind to race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, national origin, gender and sexual orientation (unless, of course, any of those statuses bears relation to increased probability of contracting and transmitting a disease). They treat us the way we’d all treat one another if only we could leave our respective baggage at the door.

State and County Departments of Public Health employees draw no distinction between public schools and private schools. As they see it, a private school student diagnosed with measles represents a public health risk. It matters not a whit what type of school a child attends. What counts is the health of the child. Every child.

There are, of course, distinctions to be drawn between public schools and private schools. But wouldn’t it be refreshing if we could all think of education in the same way we regard public health? We’d all come to appreciate that every child at risk of educational failure is a social risk, regardless of the school he or she attends. Similarly, we’d understand that every child who succeeds contributes to a healthier society, regardless of whether he or she attended public or private schools.

If only foolish ideas were like diseases that conferred immunity, the silver lining would remain long after the cloud had vanished.

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