I teach public school. I love my students. I don't want to die

[turbinetree]

Opinion by Elana Rabinowitz

Updated 6:12 AM ET, Fri July 10, 2020


(CNN) I am a public school teacher and I don't want to die. As the question of whether and how to reopen schools in the fall intensifies, with parents and especially politicians expressing their opinions, I want to ask: Has anyone asked what we want to do in the fall?

For some schools, particularly in the South and West, "this fall" means a school year that usually starts a few short weeks from now, in August. I am an ESL teacher in New York City, where the school year starts a bit later, but that extra time won't mean much if teachers and staff aren't consulted about how to feel safe -- or provided with the necessary support and supplies to be as careful as possible in preventing the spread of Covid-19.

This spring, after a controversial delay in closing schools, too many teachers and education department employees died of Covid-related illnesses. According to Chalkbeat, which covers education, more than 75 education department employees in New York City -- teachers, teachers' aides, administrators, office employees, food service workers and others -- have died in the pandemic. I love my students, but I don't want to be next.

We want to be there for the kids, especially now. But who will be there for us -- the educators? The ones who, along with other school staff, are literally being asked to risk our lives so the economy could go back to normal?

https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/10/opinions/schools-reopening-covid-19-pandemic-rabinowitz/index.html

[demtenjeep]

1. My Job Shouldn't Kill Me

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213729961

[lunatica]

2. It could be that schools decide on their own not to open

No one wants to die or send their kids to death traps. People may be pretty stupid about their own behavior but when it comes to their kids, they sing another tune altogether. They’re much less likely to throw caution to the wind. Things will be worse in another month. People will notice.

I fully expect most school districts to stay closed.

[soothsayer]

3. Same. Let him try to defund them.

Won’t win him votes.

[lunatica]

4. He probably can't defund schools anyway.

He doesn’t decide how anything is funded. I believe the House has that job.