Cut The Tantrums — Mask Up

How The “Reopen Schools” Movement Is Shooting Itself In The Foot

Image by chiplanay from Pixabay

I’m sure other parents will relate to this story. My 10 year old seems to have selective hearing when it comes to cleaning up after snacks/meals (i.e., not leaving empty drink containers, plates, etc. on every flat surface). When he asked for money to spend in his favorite video game, Roblox, I replied, “Have you cleaned up?”

That’s a basic requirement he needs to meet before asking. Throwing a tantrum isn’t going to change my mind. In fact, it’ll likely have me digging in my heels because it’s a sign of immaturity and disrespect to demand something yet disregard my one basic requirement. I’m not asking a lot.

Well, that’s what the movement to reopen schools feels like.

The Struggle Is Real

In my Maryland school district — Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) — there’s a small but vocal contingent of parents and community members demanding that the board of education reopen schools for in-person classes.

I get it. I really do. As a parent, I can see that virtual schooling has been so rough on my 10th grader and 5th grader. Socially and emotionally, they miss the in-person interaction with the teachers, staff, and their classmates. My 5th grader who previously LOVED school has come to despise logging on for Google Meet sessions, and he struggles to keep track of the asynchronous assignments. My 10th grader who is an introvert with severe anxiety has been unable to participate in her orchestra class because having to record herself playing the cello triggers her panic. She won’t turn on her camera or unmute her microphone, and no amount of demanding, cajoling or bribing has convinced her otherwise.

Seeing them struggle, lose academic ground, become moody — all of it breaks my heart as a mother. I wish I could be there every day to help them through this process, but I’m back in the office full-time. Their dad, who is able to telework, is at home with them if they need something, but he and I just haven’t been able to get on the same page about how much supervision and involvement they need.

Note: Co-parenting during a pandemic is a bitch!

A Possible Solution?

I’m certain that most educators, administrators, parents, and kids would prefer in-person school to virtual school. As a part-time educator, I can sympathize with my kids’ teachers. I’ve had to completely rework each of my lessons for the college course I teach, making sure they work for virtual delivery. Plus, not seeing my students face-to-face has left me feeling disconnected from them and their learning process.

So, the solution must be to reopen schools (at least part-time), right?

Whoa! Not so fast, buckaroo…

There’s a false narrative that anyone concerned about reopening must not care about how kids are faring under virtual schooling. That’s preposterous. It’s a false dichotomy to say that you either have to choose going “back to normal” or else you’re being a selfish, elitist. Expecting that certain minimal safety guidelines be met in order to protect educators, children, and the families to whom they each return — that’s just being responsible and following the science.

The COVID-19 global pandemic is real. Behind the statistics are real people with real families facing real problems. Despite what President Trump believes, surviving the disease isn’t a matter of willpower and positive thinking.

Trump's 'Don't be afraid of Covid' exhortation is denounced by Democrats and disease experts.

The virus doesn’t care about what you want or what you think about it. The hundreds of thousands who’ve died in the United States weren’t suffering from some moral failing or mental weakness. Those who are still suffering from the lingering after effects aren’t losers who’ve decided to allow the disease to “dominate” them.

'I Feel Like I Have Dementia': Brain Fog Plagues Covid Survivors

Let’s Be Adults

The folks in favor of reopening HCPSS for in-person classes hosted a “Back IN School” rally on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 4:00 PM in front of the HCPSS Central Office.

I did not attend as I disagree with their stance (plus, I’m avoiding crowds as recommended by the CDC). However, what stood out to me from the event’s photos?

• The overwhelming majority of those privileged enough to attend a protest on a weekday afternoon were White. (I only mention this because Hispanic, Black, and Native American people have been the most impacted by COVID. So, it makes sense that they’re more cautious about reopening schools.)
• Physical distancing wasn’t universally observed.
• Many adults were either wearing their mask incorrectly (i.e., pulled under their nose or chin) or not wearing one at all.
• Most of the school-aged children pictured were not masked.

Come on, people! Really?

If you’re trying to convince the community that reopening is a good idea, you’ve got to be willing to meet the basic requirements of masking and social distancing. You just do. Even those inclined to consider sending their kids back to classrooms should be concerned that vocal advocates of the policy aren’t setting the example of wearing a mask to protect one another.

Some of the excuses I’ve seen on social media are that the state doesn’t require that people wear masks if they have asthma or mental health concerns. While the governor’s executive order does have a medical exemption available:

1. I find it hard to believe that everyone at the rally without masks has asthma.
2. Even if they do, the CDC recommends masking especially for those with asthma or other comorbidities. So they either should have worn a mask or considered staying home.

If you want to speed up the process of safely getting our kids back into their classrooms, skip the tantrums and name-calling, be a responsible adult, and PROPERLY WEAR A MASK!

Update: 10/23/2020, 2:31 PM EDT

Based on some feedback, I wanted to make the following clarifications:

• The “tantrum” referred to above is how many pro-reopening advocates have demanded schools reopen ASAP. They focus on the needs of their healthy children above the concerns of kids, teachers, and families with higher risks. I am not referring to the rally itself as a “tantrum”.
• My mention of race was not to denigrate those who attended the rally. It was meant to point out that their perspective doesn’t represent the equally valid concerns of families most at risk of contracting COVID-19.