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Abundance of Caution : American Schools, the Virus, and a Story of Bad Decisi...
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Item specifics
- Condition
- Book Title
- Abundance of Caution : American Schools, the Virus, and a Story o
- ISBN
- 9780262549158
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
MIT Press
ISBN-10
0262549158
ISBN-13
9780262549158
eBay Product ID (ePID)
18070486596
Product Key Features
Number of Pages
464 Pages
Language
English
Publication Name
Abundance of Caution : American Schools, the Virus, and a Story of Bad Decisions
Publication Year
2025
Subject
Media Studies, Educational Policy & Reform / Federal Legislation, General
Type
Textbook
Subject Area
Social Science, Education
Format
Hardcover
Dimensions
Item Height
1.6 in
Item Weight
24.7 Oz
Item Length
9.3 in
Item Width
6.5 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Trade
LCCN
2024-034442
Reviews
Featured in The Atlantic, the New Yorker, CBS Morning Plus, CNN's The Lead with Jake Tapper, The Free Press, The Hill, Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey, and more. " An Abundance of Caution, by the journalist David Zweig, documents the poor evidentiary basis for the prolonged school closures and attendant follies such as masking requirements and social distancing. Mr. Zweig distinguished himself throughout the pandemic by his willingness to question the assumptions of self-identified 'Covid hawks'...By recounting his own experiences as a father of school-aged children trying in vain to convince his local school district to consider other options, Mr. Zweig movingly conveys the dumbfounded disillusionment many Americans experienced during the pandemic." -- The Wall Street Journal "It is a scrupulously researched, painfully detailed examination of why extended school closures were so misguided and why it was so tough for public officials to course correct...While the education world is today full of handwringing about distrust in institutions, experts, and the media, Zweig's damning account suggests this distrust is both understandable and hard-earned. As he makes all too clear, we're dealing with the aftermath of long years during which public officials and experts failed abjectly, while the media championed destructive policies and ignored or belittled those who were asking about the emperor's lack of clothes. The experience shattered the public's already fragile trust in schools, experts, and media. Rebuilding that trust will be tough, absent an acknowledgment of what went so wrong. That makes Zweig's magisterial contribution not just an overdue exercise in truth-telling but also, potentially, a crucial first step in that restorative journey." --Education Next "Author David Zweig doesn't want the catastrophic policy failure that caused this lasting damage to get memory-holed. In his new book An Abundance of Caution: American Schools, the Virus, and a Story of Bad Decision s, he set out to hold leaders and the media accountable." -- New York Post "Five years after the first school closures, Zweig's third book, An Abundance of Caution looks back on what he considers the questionable deliberations surrounding COVID at almost every level. While it takes the pandemic as its subject, Zweig notes that the book is about something much broader: 'a country ill-equipped to act sensibly under duress.'" -- The 74, America's Education News Source "Harrowing and revelatory." -- the Washington Examiner " An Abundance of Caution posits that Trump's flagrant mishandling of the COVID crisis gave cover to the rampant (but less obvious) dissembling, posturing, and about-facing of élite institutions and public-health experts, which Zweig diligently itemizes." -- the New Yorker "Zweig intelligently catalogues a number of underlying factors that positioned the American expert class to make all the wrong decisions while trying to make the most of the crisis, putting it to the service of their political and social agendas and, not incidentally, their careers." -- The Dispatch, Featured in The Atlantic, CBS Morning Plus, The Lead with Jake Tapper, The Free Press, The Hill, and more. " An Abundance of Caution, by the journalist David Zweig, documents the poor evidentiary basis for the prolonged school closures and attendant follies such as masking requirements and social distancing. Mr. Zweig distinguished himself throughout the pandemic by his willingness to question the assumptions of self-identified 'Covid hawks'...By recounting his own experiences as a father of school-aged children trying in vain to convince his local school district to consider other options, Mr. Zweig movingly conveys the dumbfounded disillusionment many Americans experienced during the pandemic." -- The Wall Street Journal "It is a scrupulously researched, painfully detailed examination of why extended school closures were so misguided and why it was so tough for public officials to course correct...While the education world is today full of handwringing about distrust in institutions, experts, and the media, Zweig's damning account suggests this distrust is both understandable and hard-earned. As he makes all too clear, we're dealing with the aftermath of long years during which public officials and experts failed abjectly, while the media championed destructive policies and ignored or belittled those who were asking about the emperor's lack of clothes. The experience shattered the public's already fragile trust in schools, experts, and media. Rebuilding that trust will be tough, absent an acknowledgment of what went so wrong. That makes Zweig's magisterial contribution not just an overdue exercise in truth-telling but also, potentially, a crucial first step in that restorative journey." --Education Next "Author David Zweig doesn't want the catastrophic policy failure that caused this lasting damage to get memory-holed. In his new book An Abundance of Caution: American Schools, the Virus, and a Story of Bad Decision s, he set out to hold leaders and the media accountable." -- New York Post "Five years after the first school closures, Zweig's third book, An Abundance of Caution looks back on what he considers the questionable deliberations surrounding COVID at almost every level. While it takes the pandemic as its subject, Zweig notes that the book is about something much broader: 'a country ill-equipped to act sensibly under duress.'" -- The 74, America's Education News Source, " An Abundance of Caution, by the journalist David Zweig, documents the poor evidentiary basis for the prolonged school closures and attendant follies such as masking requirements and social distancing. Mr. Zweig distinguished himself throughout the pandemic by his willingness to question the assumptions of self-identified 'Covid hawks'...By recounting his own experiences as a father of school-aged children trying in vain to convince his local school district to consider other options, Mr. Zweig movingly conveys the dumbfounded disillusionment many Americans experienced during the pandemic." -- The Wall Street Journal "Author David Zweig doesn't want the catastrophic policy failure that caused this lasting damage to get memory-holed. In his new book An Abundance of Caution: American Schools, the Virus, and a Story of Bad Decisions, he set out to hold leaders and the media accountable." -- New York Post "Five years after the first school closures, Zweig's third book, An Abundance of Caution looks back on what he considers the questionable deliberations surrounding COVID at almost every level. While it takes the pandemic as its subject, Zweig notes that the book is about something much broader: 'a country ill-equipped to act sensibly under duress.'" -- The 74, America's Education News Source, Featured in The Atlantic, CBS Morning Plus, The Lead with Jake Tapper, The Free Press, The Hill, and more. " An Abundance of Caution, by the journalist David Zweig, documents the poor evidentiary basis for the prolonged school closures and attendant follies such as masking requirements and social distancing. Mr. Zweig distinguished himself throughout the pandemic by his willingness to question the assumptions of self-identified 'Covid hawks'...By recounting his own experiences as a father of school-aged children trying in vain to convince his local school district to consider other options, Mr. Zweig movingly conveys the dumbfounded disillusionment many Americans experienced during the pandemic." -- The Wall Street Journal "It is a scrupulously researched, painfully detailed examination of why extended school closures were so misguided and why it was so tough for public officials to course correct...While the education world is today full of handwringing about distrust in institutions, experts, and the media, Zweig's damning account suggests this distrust is both understandable and hard-earned. As he makes all too clear, we're dealing with the aftermath of long years during which public officials and experts failed abjectly, while the media championed destructive policies and ignored or belittled those who were asking about the emperor's lack of clothes. The experience shattered the public's already fragile trust in schools, experts, and media. Rebuilding that trust will be tough, absent an acknowledgment of what went so wrong. That makes Zweig's magisterial contribution not just an overdue exercise in truth-telling but also, potentially, a crucial first step in that restorative journey." --Education Next "Author David Zweig doesn't want the catastrophic policy failure that caused this lasting damage to get memory-holed. In his new book An Abundance of Caution: American Schools, the Virus, and a Story of Bad Decision s, he set out to hold leaders and the media accountable." -- New York Post "Five years after the first school closures, Zweig's third book, An Abundance of Caution looks back on what he considers the questionable deliberations surrounding COVID at almost every level. While it takes the pandemic as its subject, Zweig notes that the book is about something much broader: 'a country ill-equipped to act sensibly under duress.'" -- The 74, America's Education News Source "Harrowing and revelatory." -- the Washington Examiner
TitleLeading
An
Table Of Content
Preface Introduction 1. Remote Learning While Flattening the Curve 2. GIGO 3. Red Dawn 4. More Assumptions 5. (Wrong) Lessons from the Past 6. Europe 7. The Media, Part I 8. It's Good to Feel Like You're Doing Something 9. Out of an Abundance of Caution 10. The Evidence from Daycares 11. Technological Solutionism 12. If Trump Is for It, Then We're Against It 13. Politics and Tribalism 14. The Media, Part II 15. Risk Aversion, Groupthink, and Safetyism 16. The Media, Part III 17. The Worst of Both Worlds, Part I 18. Parents Advocate for Open Schools 19. Bad Incentives 20. Rights and Responsibilities 21. The Worst of Both Worlds, Part II 22. An Absence of Leadership 23. Institutional Failure and the Success of Empirical Studies Conclusion Epilogue Notes
Synopsis
A searing indictment of the American public health, media, and political establishments' decision-making process behind pandemic school closures. An Abundance of Caution is a devastating account of the decision-making process behind one of the worst American policy failures in a century-the extended closures of public schools during the pandemic. In fascinating and meticulously reported detail, David Zweig shows how some of the most trusted members of society-from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists to eminent health officials-repeatedly made fundamental errors in their assessment and presentation of evidence. As a result, for the first time in modern American history, millions of healthy children did not set foot in a classroom for more than a year. Since the spring of 2020, many students in Europe had been learning in person. Even many peers at home-in private schools, and public schools in mostly "red" states and districts-were in class full time from fall 2020 onward. Whatever inequities that existed among American children before the pandemic, the selective school closures exacerbated them, disproportionately affecting the underprivileged. Deep mental, physical, and academic harms-among them, depression, anxiety, abuse, obesity, plummeting test scores, and rising drop-out rates-were endured for no discernible benefit. As Europe had shown very early, after they had sent kids back to class, there was never any evidence that long-term school closures, nor a host of interventions imposed on students when they were in classrooms, would reduce overall cases or deaths in any meaningful way. The story of American schools during the pandemic serves as a prism through which to approach fundamental questions about why and how individuals, bureaucracies, governments, and societies act as they do in times of crisis and uncertainty. Ultimately, this book is not about COVID; it's about a country ill-equipped to act sensibly under duress., A searing indictment of the American public health, media, and political establishments' decision-making process behind pandemic school closures., A searing indictment of the American public health, media, and political establishments' decision-making process behind pandemic school closures. An Abundance of Caution is a devastating account of the decision-making process behind one of the worst American policy failures in a century--the extended closures of public schools during the pandemic. In fascinating and meticulously reported detail, David Zweig shows how some of the most trusted members of society--from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists to eminent health officials--repeatedly made fundamental errors in their assessment and presentation of evidence. As a result, for the first time in modern American history, millions of healthy children did not set foot in a classroom for more than a year. Since the spring of 2020, many students in Europe had been learning in person. Even many peers at home--in private schools, and public schools in mostly "red" states and districts--were in class full time from fall 2020 onward. Whatever inequities that existed among American children before the pandemic, the selective school closures exacerbated them, disproportionately affecting the underprivileged. Deep mental, physical, and academic harms--among them, depression, anxiety, abuse, obesity, plummeting test scores, and rising drop-out rates--were endured for no discernible benefit. As Europe had shown very early, after they had sent kids back to class, there was never any evidence that long-term school closures, nor a host of interventions imposed on students when they were in classrooms, would reduce overall cases or deaths in any meaningful way. The story of American schools during the pandemic serves as a prism through which to approach fundamental questions about why and how individuals, bureaucracies, governments, and societies act as they do in times of crisis and uncertainty. Ultimately, this book is not about COVID; it's about a country ill-equipped to act sensibly under duress.
LC Classification Number
LB2806.Z94 2025
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- c***i (472)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseBook in true new condition; everything fine. Thanks much!
- c***m (426)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseAAA+++; Excellent Service; Great Pricing; Fast Delivery-Faster Than Expected to Hawaii using free shipping USPS Ground Mail, Received 06/18; Paperback book in Great Condition as Described ; TLC Packaging; Excellent Seller Communication, Sends updates . Highly Recommended!, Thank you very much!
- n***m (109)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseGood price for the book. Shipping was slow. Messaged the seller a week after I ordered it to see when they were going to ship it. They responded immediately and said it would be shipped out soon. Got it about a week later. Book did arrive in the date range that they provided though  Minimal packaging. Book is Shrink wrapped and only wrapped in thin plastic. No bubble wrap. Book is in good shape though. 
- l***1 (1491)- Feedback left by buyer.Past yearVerified purchaseGreat seller; book exactly as described in mint condition sold at a reasonable price; seller shipped item FAST, FREE and with tracking information, a must nowadays; seller shipped in tight, cardboard mailing envelope, which tightly fit over the book, preventing damage in shipment; good communication too; rate seller 10+++++Cuentos de La Habana Elegante, Brand New, Free shipping in the US (#364594098367)
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Seller feedback (386,983)
This item (1)
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- c***i (472)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseBook in true new condition; everything fine. Thanks much!
- c***m (426)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseAAA+++; Excellent Service; Great Pricing; Fast Delivery-Faster Than Expected to Hawaii using free shipping USPS Ground Mail, Received 06/18; Paperback book in Great Condition as Described ; TLC Packaging; Excellent Seller Communication, Sends updates . Highly Recommended!, Thank you very much!
- n***m (109)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseGood price for the book. Shipping was slow. Messaged the seller a week after I ordered it to see when they were going to ship it. They responded immediately and said it would be shipped out soon. Got it about a week later. Book did arrive in the date range that they provided though  Minimal packaging. Book is Shrink wrapped and only wrapped in thin plastic. No bubble wrap. Book is in good shape though. 
- l***1 (1491)- Feedback left by buyer.Past yearVerified purchaseGreat seller; book exactly as described in mint condition sold at a reasonable price; seller shipped item FAST, FREE and with tracking information, a must nowadays; seller shipped in tight, cardboard mailing envelope, which tightly fit over the book, preventing damage in shipment; good communication too; rate seller 10+++++Cuentos de La Habana Elegante, Brand New, Free shipping in the US (#364594098367)