top of page
Post: Blog2_Post
Search
Writer's picturePolitical Writer
Aug 7, 20202 min read

The Bleak Image of Going Back to School in the U.S.

By Giselle Alexandra Ormeno

 


The debate for staying the entire semester at home or going to school in person is mostly over for many school districts around the United States. 


As some schools in some states such as Georgia have decided to hold classes in person. Assuring their staff, students, and parents that they will uphold strict social distancing rules. 


However, on Tuesday, a viral picture spread like wildfire through Twitter of North Paulding High School in Dallas, Georgia. The image showed many students not wearing masks and no signs of social distancing. 


According to BuzzFeed News, the truth behind North Paulding High School's viral photo is much worse than it seems. North Paulding High School resumed school on Monday despite an outbreak among its high school football team members, where a Facebook video reveals the team working out together in a crowded indoor gym last week as a part of a weightlifting fundraiser. 


Students, teachers, and staff return to Paulding County schools despite reports of positive coronavirus cases among faculty, staff, and students. 


"Students, teachers, and parents fear the Paulding County school's rushed reopening plans may be spiraling out of control just two days after students-who said they were told they could face expulsion for remaining home," said BuzzFeed News. 


On Thursday, the Washington Post stated that at least two North Paulding High School students have been suspended after sharing images on social media of their school hallway jammed with their mostly maskless classmates. Principal Gabe Carmon warned students against doing the same. 


They continue to report that the Paulding County Schools Superintendent Brain Otott told parents and guardians in a letter that the images "didn't look good." However, Otott argued that the photo lacked context about the 2,000-plus students, where masks are a "personal choice." 


According to a new national poll of teachers from NPR/Ipsos conducted last month finds remarkable fear about returning to school in-person. Eighty-two percent of K-12 teachers said they are concerned about returning to school to teach, and two-thirds would instead teach remotely. 


77% of teachers are worried about risking their health when it comes to going back to the class. 


The Center of Control and Diseases (CDC) reported on Thursday that the U.S has a total of over 4.9 million cases of COVID-19. 


The U.S. has the highest amount of COVID-19 cases followed by India and Brazil. 


The viral photo stirs back the debate of whether having students come back to school during the coronavirus pandemic is a good idea. With the number of cases rising day by day, school districts around the country that have already reopened will need to reevaluate its plans to protect its students and staff. 














6 views0 comments

Comments

bottom of page