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I have heard from a lot of teachers in response to my Vox piece on schools.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/2020/7/9/21318560/covid-19-coronavirus-us-testing-children-schools-reopening-questions
It breaks my heart because in those messages, I can hear “the fear.” I know the fear well. I lived with it too leading up to my first hospital shift in April. It is traumatic.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/2020/7/9/21318560/covid-19-coronavirus-us-testing-children-schools-reopening-questions
It breaks my heart because in those messages, I can hear “the fear.” I know the fear well. I lived with it too leading up to my first hospital shift in April. It is traumatic.
I still tear-up thinking of that time (even writing this tweet). I empathize deeply and support you. But the fear is just that - fear. It is an important emotion to help us maintain protective posture, but it cannot rule our lives.
I now work in the hospital comfortably. I wear a mask and so do my colleagues. We see very few staff infections - and those that we do see typically trace to a lapse of masks.
There is no right answer on school closures. District by district the situation is fluid. But when you consider your position, I ask two things
1) don’t let the fear dictate your final stance.
2) acknowledge there is no choice between risk and safety. The choice imposed upon us now is how to manage our risk.
There are risks no matter what we do. COVID-19 is horrible, and it is here.
2) acknowledge there is no choice between risk and safety. The choice imposed upon us now is how to manage our risk.
There are risks no matter what we do. COVID-19 is horrible, and it is here.
If we stay closed, we may prevent some tragic COVID cases in children. But we will also see under-reported abuse. Vulnerable kids, especially children of color, will suffer permanent education losses.
I cannot say which of these terrible options is right for you. I struggle with this both as a parent and as a professional. But I can say that we cannot simply cite the negatives of opening without facing the problems of closure. That is our COVID reality.
