Thoughts...before school

I am starting to cry again, just from the thought of leaving my loved ones behind… if I ever get the Covid-19, and because I have underlying conditions – Asthma, I might not survive it…

I am a teacher here in Gwinnett County, suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.  We are expected to go back to school (report in the actual school building) whether we get assigned to teach online or face-to-face instructions.  We still have to report back to work.  I understand the need to go back to work, I actually am looking forward to getting back to the groove, and working again…but let’s face it, we have to do this safely & strategically.

I mean, I really believe that some students do not do well with online-only learning, like my special needs students; but at the same time, if I was a parent of a K-12 public school student, I will not send them physically back to school with all the rest of the kids; with the danger of exposing them to this novel Coronavirus.  Regardless of whether they are special needs or regular education students. It is too much of a risk for a deadly virus that we are still learning about. The scientists & doctors do not know yet the full effects and long term dangers of this virus on the human body & the different organs it attacks.  But what they do know as of the present, is enough for me to decide it is too risky to take any risks, including sending kids to a crowded school, crowded buses, with crowded classrooms that cannot afford to social distance, and especially with little guidance from the government.

I was telling my daughter that next week, my husband & I have an appointment to see a lawyer to write up our Living Wills, Health Directives & Powers of Attorney.  We should’ve done this a long time ago, but now is the best time.  Just in case, to prepare for any eventuality that could happen because of this pandemic.

 I bet most families are thinking on the same line.  We have never faced such questions of our own mortality as this time…

Morbid as it may sound, death is just ever present in this world we are in right now… Our new reality is so unpredictable that you never know who will get it next.  It was my brother in law last April (thank God he survived the ordeal)….and it could be your next door neighbor, or cousin, or grandparents, next…who will be next?

I feel for all the essential workers… the healthcare heroes, my brothers - Dr. Jonathan & Dr. Rocky... who face this reality daily and squarely.  They are truly brave & deserve all our respect.  The everyday jobs by grocery store workers, post office workers, mailman, sanitation workers, construction workers, farmers, Amazon workers and deliverers… they are all essential.

Now it’s my turn to face the music.  July 29^th, two weeks to be exact - teachers here in Gwinnett county Georgia are going back for two weeks of Pre-Planning & lots of meetings & trainings to ensure everybody’s safe return to school.

We may all eventually get it – this damned Coronavirus, but hopefully when we do, there will already be a vaccine for it…

Or maybe it will only affect us like a mild case of the flu….but you never know, when your luck runs out.

I pray to God, help us ALL, especially here in America where it is spreading like wildfire again... &  may God help us all over the world.  God bless y'all! 

Love & Light.