I wrote my principal, mayor, city council, and governor today to voice my covid concerns

I wanted to write to voice my increasing concern, as I’m sure many others have shared. Let me begin by saying that I believe AISD, well at least PD, has done as much as possible to protect our students and staff from Covid. I began this year very optimistic and felt safe. Slowly, the optimism has turned pessimistic and I no longer feel that my children and I are safe. I felt reasonably sure that if we contracted Covid, the hospitals would be able to provide adequate care, but one report last week stated that there are ZERO ICU beds available. I’ve talked to two health care workers. One stated that BSA was out of ventilators and three patients were in need. The other, not in Amarillo stated that they are down to two providers who will cover 24/7 over the next 10 days. They are setting up FEMA tents to cover overflow and “people are dying that don’t need to be dying.” We had a kinder student die in AISD last week and just yesterday Covenant Hospital in Lubbock announced the death of another child, with a third on the way. The New York Times reported that Amarillo is number three in the nation for highest increases in the Covid rate. As you know, our schools are taxed as well. We don’t have enough subs, yet 3 more teachers tested positive yesterday, just at PD. Entire grade levels are being run by subs and ESC staff. I have classes with four students quarantined or who have tested positive.

In response, the City of Amarillo has closed their offices and limited restaurant capacity. We are not enforcing the governor’s mask mandate. And in an act of sheer recklessness, they are allowing the annual WRCA 4-day indoor rodeo at the Civic Center to begin today.

The city sustained low levels of Covid until school started, so it is clear that despite our best efforts, in-person school is a major contributor to the outbreak. I completely understand that AISD can’t shut down without the health dept, county judge, or state allowing it, but what are we doing to make that happen? Or are we simply put between a rock and a hard place? Is the plan to make small changes and just endure?

If that’s the case, at what point to teachers simply refuse to come to campus? Make no mistake, we are ALL at risk. The death rate may be low, but the hospitalization rate is 31%. Covid has lasting effects on the body which should be a concern to every teacher. This is no different than the unhealthy conditions that led to walkouts and strikes during the labor movement.

Again, I realize that the city can’t just cancel school. And I will never fail to do my job even at the risk of my health. However, at this point, I do feel that I come to school each day at the risk of losing my health. These are unsafe working conditions and I honestly think PD is doing more than anyone else. We need to know what’s ahead. We need to know that AISD is working with the city and state to decrease the risk. The video released did NOTHING to make us feel better because the measures we’ve implemented are clearly not working.

Please realize, I don’t blame you, and I don’t blame AISD. But, I am worried and I have no idea what to do aside from tell those in charge and hope for the best.

Submitted November 12, 2020 at 03:24PM by nmurja https://ift.tt/3plT01j