From the March-April 2021 issue of News & Letters
Detroit—Everyone wants schools to reopen. But the divide between “reopen schools NOW” and “reopen schools SAFELY ASAP” mirrors the class divide in U.S. education. In wealthier districts, parents push politicians to let schools—and school athletics—open now. They cite damage to their children’s mental health. They blame teachers’ unions for resistance, with little thought of the teachers and other school workers themselves.
In inner-city districts, the main concern is school safety. Detroit Public Schools opened in the fall of 2020, and closed again after Christmas in response to increasing COVID-19 cases. Only 20-25% of the students had returned to in-person learning. There was no outcry against teachers, only appreciation for both online and remote instruction.
IT’S A MASSIVE JOB TO REOPEN SAFELY
We know that districts, and schools within a district, vary greatly in ability to open safely. But why did the CDC wait until February 2021 to issue “guidelines” for school re-opening? Was it because these indicate massive infrastructure investment, like major modifications to ventilation systems in most buildings? Because the CDC under Trump did not want to be seen supporting teachers’ unions?
By CDC guidelines, very few schools could open safely “as is.” Nevertheless, newer buildings, strong social distancing practices, and low student populations would allow in-person learning in both rich and poor districts. How safely? We don’t have data yet. The CDC did “recommend”—but did not “mandate”—teacher vaccinations for in-person teaching, leaving many teachers at the mercy of conservative politicians who don’t prioritize them as essential workers.
Unvaccinated teachers also remain vulnerable to community spread outside school. Parents and older students may be exposed at work, on public transportation, and in large social gatherings. Lies that COVID-19 isn’t real can increase viral spread.
Fortunately, strong teachers’ unions (like the Chicago Teachers Union) are demanding full access to vaccination against COVID-19. Parents struggling with children in virtual learning at home should appreciate teachers enough to respect their fight for a safe workplace—for themselves and for the children.
—Retired teacher
Since this article was posted, I learned that in the Detroit Public School District, if too few teachers return to the classroom, they will teach on a big screen and the children in the room will be under the supervision of school support staff. Vaccination priority for them is not even discussed. Para-professionals are no way adequately compensated for skills, commitment and compassion they bring to classrooms where they were never meant to be the sole adult in the room. Besides, how can the in-person aide coordinate with the remote teacher to facilitate effective learning?
COVID-19 is spreading exponentially in Michigan; Detroit high-school students have been infected through after-school sports. Yet Governor Whitmer has steadily eased social distancing restrictions, and as of March 26 stated that she has no plans to re-impose them. The state budget is being held hostage by the Republican-controlled legislature, who promise to withhold school funding if the state’s re-opening does not continue. They have already made it illegal for Michigan’s state and local health departments to issue public health restrictions.