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I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I just want to point out something no one wants to acknowledge:
Advocating for schools to remain virtual comes from a place of immense privilege.
Advocating for schools to remain virtual comes from a place of immense privilege.
If you think schools need to stay closed and virtual only, you aren’t acknowledging the immense economic toll this takes on lower income families, which are disproportionately POCs.
“We shouldn’t worry about the economy during a pandemic.”
Well, while partially true, this issue in particular creates a larger stem of public health issues stemming from the disparities that already exist widening as resources for some all but disappear.
Well, while partially true, this issue in particular creates a larger stem of public health issues stemming from the disparities that already exist widening as resources for some all but disappear.
I volunteer in some low income schools. Do those kids have the capability for distance learning? Do they have a parent who can stay at home and supervise their learning? Do they have internet at home with the bandwidth to support multiple children distance learning?
It’s easy to advocate for distance learning and hiring private educators when you have the money to do so. Again, this is privilege. This is simply not even remotely possible for some families.
The students that already at risk or behind in their grade levels will only fall farther behind if distance learning is their only option. In a country where education is the ticket out of poverty, economic disparities will only widen if we can’t make education accessible.
So what’s the solution?
Provide PPE to teachers. Here in Texas, businesses received masks for their personnel when the mandate went into effect. Providing masks for our teachers and students isn’t negotiable.
Provide PPE to teachers. Here in Texas, businesses received masks for their personnel when the mandate went into effect. Providing masks for our teachers and students isn’t negotiable.
High risk students and teachers should be provided reasonable avenues that allow for their safety. Distance learning and educating in these situations should be provided.
Temperature checks at designated entry points should be instated as an additional safety measures. Students who test positive should be excused for 2 weeks or until testing negative.
I’m not really sure how this can’t be seen as a feasible option when this is essentially what every other business is doing to maintain safety. If we can open businesses, bars, and salons, why not schools, which are even more essential?
I’m not advocating recklessness, but the reality is, creating distance learning only environments for public schools will place an enormous strain on some families and teachers (some of these teachers ALSO have families and children who will be at home learning).
It’s easy to tell people that they need to just “suck it up and deal with it for now” when you’re not in the same economic situation. You have the right to do what you believe is safe for your family, but some families simply cannot partake in distance learning as readily.
Again, this isn’t to stir the pot. I just think that realistically, all sides need to be seen here. This isn’t a political issue. This isn’t me putting the economy before health.
Simply, this side needs to be acknowledged, because it’s getting lost in the argument that it’s “politics and party before health and humans.” For the record, I’m a registered independent.
