Reopening Schools Too Soon will Have Devastating Impact

Last Thursday, I stood in line outside of a prescreening tent near the emergency room of my preferred hospital here in Dallas. A woman, maybe 10 years my senior asked my forgiveness as she cut myself and a few other people in line to get the nurse’s attention. 

“I need help,” she told the nurse as she swung open the closed door. As the nurse followed the woman outside of the tent with a wheelchair, the woman continued: “she’s had a 103 fever for three days.” I didn’t initially see her, but at the end of the line was a teen girl, no more than 14 years of age and she was lying uncomfortably on the pavement.

No one objected to the girl being rushed ahead of us.

I’m going to assume that the woman was an aunt or a family friend, and that the young girl called her for help. I just don’t want to believe that the woman lives in the same home with the girl and waited three days before seeking medical attention.

As the young girl was wheeled by, I couldn’t help but wonder just how many of our school-age children are at home, sick and either unaware or afraid to tell the adults around them out of fear that they’ll be an inconvenience.

During my 12 hours at the hospital Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, I would continue to see patients of all ages. I heard many groans and plenty of grimacing. Ambulances were in heavy drop off and go rotation. People were crying. Medical staff, although heavily wrapped in protective gear never ceased with their hands on efforts.

Still, I just could not shake the image of that teenager. She was a tall girl, but there was so much youth in her eyes. Even in her obvious sick state, she tried to walk. She tried to make eye contact with the nurse and the police officers that helped her inside.

Did she live? Is she back home? Almost a week later, I still wonder about this one girl, at this one hospital, in this one large city, in this huge country. And in the middle of concerns that I may never soothe, I see another article and then another 12 articles offering suggestions about how to reopen schools.

Today is May 27, 2020. The current school year is not officially over for most large school districts and all that so many people can discuss is how we will put hundreds of thousands of school age children back in a school setting.

“The country can’t return to normal without a normal school structure,” one writer penned.

“The number of student suicides will increase if we don’t reopen schools soon,” another voiced.

"Schools in our country should be opened ASAP," tweeted the President of the United States on Sunday night.

While I am delighted that it finally appears the masses realize the vast importance of schools in this country, I am a bit dismayed by the one obvious oversight in everyone’s rush to reopen schools. In the midst of a pandemic, the only infallible and safe method of not supporting the spread of Covid-19 is to continue distance learning until we combat the deadly virus.

Yes, I’ve seen the suggested practices: 

-Two days on campus. One day to deep clean. Two days on campus.

-Four days on campus and virtual learning on Friday.

-Teachers on campus each day and different groups of students every two days.

-Everyone on campus, but reduced class sizes. (I still don’t understand this one). 

In every proposed scenario, there is a gathering of persons. A pandemic is not coupled by a perpetual and intentional gathering of persons.

Yes, I’ve also seen the recommended on-campus practices:

-All students have their temperatures checked before entering campus.

-Teachers supervise students washing their hands twice per day.

-Face shields for teachers and desk petitions for students at all times.

-Early release each day for students.

I’m still not sure how I’m to accompany my male students to the restroom and ensure that they wash their hands thoroughly twice per day. I’m also a bit puzzled about how early-release will work if parents aren’t released early from their respective workplaces.

In one of the many teacher groups on Facebook, one educator brought up a great point that I never considered because I don’t have children. If for some reason, districts adopt the plan that affords students and teachers four days on campus and one day of virtual learning – how does a single mother and teacher whose virtual learning day is Tuesday ensure that her 1st grade son has a successful virtual learning day on Wednesday when she has to be on her campus and his school is closed?

You’ve seen the reports by now. It’s no mystery – not all educators will return if schools open in August for on campus learning. Some will retire. Others will resign. Most will report to campus, but with many reservations. Mark my words – the latter is not good for anyone. 

Most school districts have asked for teacher input by now. We all know, however, that once the people who do not interact with students on a daily basis make a decision – that’s it.

How many students have spent the last 10 weeks in homes with people who have not practiced social distancing? How many students have spent the last 10 weeks in homes where relatives are asymptomatic? How many students have Covid-19 right now and will never learn of their status? How many students will be in the company of people who are even more relaxed during the summer months? The same questions can be asked of educators, teacher assistants, support staff, custodial staff, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and beyond. We just don’t know and we won’t find out.

In a time of such uncertainty, making plans for August is simply careless and the only reason the discussion is so constant is because school reopening makes other dynamics of the country more functional. That is a disservice to both our children and to the professionals who work in education.

One of the more painful realities of this virus is that many innocent people who are trying desperately to be safe and to keep their loved ones safe may inevitably get this virus. How exactly is putting any grouping together inside of a school safe?

When we talk about the social and emotional damage of the pandemic, the devastation can’t fully be encompassed by words. Whether we care to acknowledge it or not, seeing fellow Americans with masks on has an effect on us. Imagine small children not being able to see smiles on their favorite teachers’ faces. Talk about bullying – how will a child dealing with allergies be exiled when he has a sneezing episode in third period?

Most educators have learned to be kind and courteous to the children who don’t smell so good and to the children who aren’t always well groomed. But teachers are human and we are susceptible to biases and unfulfilled curiosities. During this extended period at home, we’ve roamed social media. We see the people gathering for large parties, not wearing masks and refusing to compromise their lifestyles for the greater good of their respective homes and their children. Will teachers be able to teach with any peace of mind, knowing that many of our students have been exposed? Will teachers who are indeed parents feel comfortable returning home to their own children each day?

At one point, I thought that I would love being an online teacher. Ten weeks of isolation in my home; Zoom meetings and email interactions proved otherwise, as my stress and anxiety landed me in the hospital.

I would love nothing more than to return to my classroom and to be in the company of teenagers with bubbly and bright personalities. I became a teacher for them - not for their parents, administrators or the many people far from the world of education, who have opinions about what we should do. But I can’t imagine putting my arms up to block the hug of a 16 year old, who just fought with her mom during the car drive to school. I’m not quite prepared to throw a box of Kleenex in the direction of a crying teen boy (as opposed to putting a hand of comfort on his shoulder), because the first girl he ever loved told him to never talk to her again.

Someone will say that the fear of viruses and such is always going to be there. Those are the same people who refused to wear a mask and demanded haircuts a week into the pandemic. Covid-19 is no simple flu. It’s not even a virus with a ready vaccination. Many children just like adults have underlying health issues.

Someone else will ask, “Well, if school isn’t open – what do parents do about work?” This is a valid question, however, directing such a question at a superintendent is unfair. Determining long-term financial solutions for households is not the responsibility of a school district. Yet and still, look at how schools and school employees continue to make personal efforts to help outside of the realm of education. Food pickups have remained available, school counselors send information about job assistance and educators continue to engage with students to check on their mental health, just as much as we’ve assigned work.

Is distance learning ideal? - Absolutely not. Does that mere fact mean we abandon the safest practice possible and reconvene? No. We adapt. We teach from afar. We learn new and innovative ways to keep our students engaged. 

Just like the woman turning the big “40” tomorrow – is that massive birthday party, with all of your loved ones gathered in one place more of a priority than trying to make it to 41 with those same loved ones? 

We are talking about our precious children. From preschoolers to high school seniors, we are still responsible for having their best interest in mind. Our children need schools to reopen when schools are able to once again be safe havens, not when school reopening will make things more convenient for adults.