I have to work! The kids are in school! Or: I'm just not interested (In the path of totality)

This post is mainly for people in the path of totality who:

• May have to work on eclipse day 

• Managers/supervisors who are concerned about losing production time/money

• Those who have kids in school, and schools are in session that day

• Principals/Administrators who are concerned about certain students looking at the eclipse (directly during the partial phases)

• Are not that interested (if you're in the totality path and not interested, please read some of my other posts, especially the ones titled "An inspiring....")

I would like to convince as many people in the path of totality as possible to take the whole day off from work - and their kids out of school- to experience the eclipse together.

But I know it's not practical for everyone. 

In my opinion, it's about understanding the timing.

The eclipse lasts for about 3 hours, from beginning to end. Not all of that is necessary.

After totality, the eclipse is anti-climactic (although the first few moments are impressive to see the world brighten)

For the time before totality (usually about 90 minutes), the early stages are relatively slow. The changes (light level, strange calmness) don't really happen until the sun has a rather large percentage taken out of it.

Ideally, people are let outside of work (and school, if it is in session) for the entire partial eclipse,  through totality and a few minutes after, then back inside. If that can happen for most, that would be great.

But I understand that businesses have to run, and there may be some students at schools that may be a higher risk for trying to take a peek without the safety glasses.

I will say this: the final 10 minutes or so before totality is when the action really starts to happen. As many people as possible should be outside for that.

For workers/employees:

I would suggest taking the day off, if possible - to experience it at home or where you wish

If you happen to have to work (or want to), see below

If you are a business owner or manager:

• If you are able to let your employees outside from the beginning of the eclipse through totality, that is the ideal scenario (from an eclipse perspective)

• If you are concerned that letting all of your employees outside for that long (almost 2 hours) would interrupt the flow of business, then please consider letting them out starting a few minutes before totality (7-10 minutes before), and through that phase

If you are a teacher or administrator at a school, and school is in session:

Most students and staff should be let outside for the beginning of the eclipse through totality. Educate them properly on eye safety for those partial phases; totality is safe to look directly

If there are some students who may be at a higher risk for looking at the partial eclipse without being safe, then perhaps keep them inside for the early and middle parts (learning about what's happening)- but then they should also be taken outside for the few minutes leading into - and through- totality. Education about eye safety is still important, but the main focus for them (during those last few minutes of partial eclipse) should be looking at the changes in light. They can also be shown the crescents projected by the leaves. Once totality starts, those students can be encouraged to look at the totally eclipsed sun. 

Let's get as many people as possible to experience the totality phase (and the few moments leading into and following it) - but also to strike the balance between work, school, and safety.

Thanks for reading!