I was scrolling through the news, and I know it is something that I shouldn’t be doing but, ya know, you have to stay informed. I came across an article on CNN explaining how there was a school in Indiana where parents KNOWINGLY sent their child to school with a pending Covid-19 test. And guess what? It came back positive!!!
I prayed a lot, talked to myself, wrote in my journal…you name it, I did it to figure out what to do with my daughter for this school year. She loves her school, her teachers and her friends. I am well acquainted with the school because I had taught in the district in the past. I wanted her to go back to school. But I was extremely hesitant to say the least.
Our district released a plan that is offering face-to-face (F2F) school and virtual. I have decided to take the virtual option.
Now here is the thing.
There are all different kinds of families with all different circumstances. And they will have to choose the option that is best suited for them. You do you. I get it.
What I am not okay with is this exorbitant level of entitlement. It makes me gag quite frankly.
What in the name of _____ would make you think (as a parent) that it would be a good idea to send the kid to school with a pending Covid test? Your entitlement? Your need for wanting your individualism more than what is good for the whole? Your a psycho?
This goes back to why I cannot send my daughter to school in good conscience. I have no control over what other parents do.
Parents send kids to school sick all the time. What is going to make this pandemic situation any different? Just a roll of the dice on whether that cough Bobby has had for a week is Covid or a regular cold? Just to see what happens. Nah.
But this time its different. Sending a child to school ill this time around could be potentially lethal not only for the peers but for those who staff the school. If a teacher gets Covid, how is he/she going to get a sub? Subs are hard to come by as it is.
I cannot send my daughter to school knowing that she could carry this illness to others. I cannot send her knowing that there are parents out there that wont keep their sick kids home. I cannot send my daughter because the school may get lax in their sanitation protocols and the cleanliness wont be effective in preventing the spread. Kids wont keep masks on. Kids will be too distracted. Teachers will be overwhelmed. Social distancing wont be maintained.
I cannot control what others do. But I can control what goes on in my home. Because I am looking out for the good of the whole. Not just my family but other families, teachers and students. I am making my choice for others too. Because it seems to be the best thing to do.
Whatever you choose to do as a family, however your kids go back to school, make sure that you as a parent have a plan. Have a plan how to handle illness, extra curricular activities, play dates (if you allow it). Because of all these decision have an impact on the whole, not just you. And if we ever plan to get the heck out of this, we need to start looking at it as a whole and not just you vs me.
Soap Opera 