A Teacher’s Perspective: What Is The Right Thing To Do?

As the end of summer is approaching and coronavirus cases continue to increase across the country, the question of if and how schools will reopen is becoming more concerning not only for students, but teachers as well. With the country using 50 different methods to combat the virus, whether or not students will return to in-person classes will vary from state to state. 

Recently, a Dallas elementary school teacher voiced concern about the health risks that she and her colleagues would have to endure as it pertains to returning to in-person learning. “I’m scared of getting sick  and bringing it to my family. I’m scared of dying,” the woman said. 

The woman admitted that her fear of getting sick has pushed her to begin searching for a new job. “If anybody were to offer me something, I would rather do that than risk my health,” she noted. 

Although the state of Texas has the third highest number of cases in the country, this teacher’s school district plans to resume physical classes. While teachers in other states could go on strike because of the potential health risks, it is illegal for teachers in Texas to go on strike. 

On Twitter, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott stated that, “Texas [will give] school districts more say in reopening schools amid the pandemic.”

Texas gives school districts more say in reopening schools amid pandemic.

The health & safety of students, teachers & parents is the top priority.

To ensure students receive the education they need Texas is giving local schools districts flexibility. https://t.co/1NFWYKZwgk

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 17, 2020

While the reopening of schools is a risk to public health, President Donald Trump has made it evident that he is in favor of children returning to school in the fall. Both Trump and his administration have gone as far as telling people that science shows that it is safe to return to schools. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCeQhk1hDX0/

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on school reopenings:

“The science should not stand in the way of this.” pic.twitter.com/w6H9DM0uTV

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 16, 2020

In participation with Trump’s baseless claim, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio recommended restarting the economy, something that Trump has been emphasizing since states began shutting down. 

Things the Democrats want:

-Open borders & closed churches
-Open borders & closed schools
-Open borders & closed businesses
-Open borders & closed gun shops
-Open borders & closed stadiums

How about instead of reopening the border, we reopen America?

— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) July 17, 2020

Despite the fact that reopening schools is a public health issue, Trump’s unwavering stance on students returning to school has turned into a partisan political battle. After Thursday’s White House press conference, Gov. Andrew Cuomo went on Twitter and expressed his opposition to the claim that science is in favor of in-person learning. 

The only way you defeat a virus is with science and medicine.

This federal government does not understand that.

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 16, 2020

In times prior, Cuomo has made tweets about how he plans to use data to guide New York state into normalcy, specifically pertaining to schools.

We all want schools to open but it has to be safe. In NY we will decide based on the data.

Schools will reopen if a region is in Phase 4 & daily infection rate remains below 5% (14-day avg).

Schools close if regional infection rate is greater than 9% (7-day avg) after August 1.

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 13, 2020

Gov. Cuomo is not the only person that disagrees with the Trump administration. Sending young children back to school can be more dangerous for teachers than people may realize, considering that kids don’t have the best sanitary habits.

If you’ve never had a student sneeze or cough directly into your mouth, then you don’t get to make decisions on reopening schools

— Sarah4Justice (@Sarah4Justice) July 17, 2020

From a teacher friend on reopening schools:

“We didn’t signup to be martyrs. I don’t want a park bench in my honor. I want to do my job safely from home.”

— The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) July 17, 2020

From the mother of a teacher (me):
For 4 years, I’ve been terrified that she will be shot doing her job. Now I sit with her as the grim realization sets in that she’s expected to be a martyr for Trump’s re-election hopes. No one in power cares if she lives or dies. She’s 26.

— Philly Snowflake (@phillysnowflake) July 17, 2020

Virtual learning and teaching is not for everyone. Not every States’ cases are spiraling out of control, but to ensure that both students and teachers will be as safe as possible, what is the right thing to do?