COVID and Kids
Dear Editor: They depend on us...
In 26 days our school district is supposed to welcome classrooms full of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed students (maybe that description is a slight overreach). Welcome aboard, Superintendent Frank Hauser, Sitka is battling its largest COVID outbreak since the pandemic started, please show us the way. This is your onboarding. I repeat, this is your onboarding.
What a tricky position to be in. He, along with the School Board, administration and staff, parents, and other vested parties, have to navigate the safest path forward. Let’s add one more layer to this: as of right now, the FDA has not approved any of the COVID vaccines for emergency use in those under the age of 12. Will that change during the academic school year? Our President thinks so, but a definite date has yet to be announced. Since we’re on this path, let’s add yet another layer to this: children, unlike with the original virus, are now often symptomatic and some are getting very sick (that WASN’T supposed to happen). So now what? The start of school is right around the corner; what is one to do? I don’t envy anyone who is planning the upcoming school year, but I’m glad you’re bringing your expertise to these important discussions and decisions. Gunalchéesh.
I see the chatter, “I want my kid(s) back in school, so I don’t have to home school them.” It’s true, teachers are incredible, and teaching isn’t meant for everyone, or better put, most of us. Or “I need to work; I cannot stay home all day with my kid(s).” It’s true, in order for our economy to keep moving forward, we largely need Sitkans to be able to show up, and earn a paycheck, so they can put that money back into the economy (i.e. pay their bills). Or “My kid(s) is sitting at home, going stir crazy! They need social interactions.” They do, they really do.
At family dinners, gram still makes sure her mostly fully-grown, adult grandchildren dish up first; it has always been that way. We take care of our kids, because they are our future; we take care of our kids, because they need us to. I will say in my immediate family, everyone is eligible and has been vaccinated. The youngest of my nieces and nephews is 16, she got her second shot in mid-February. What a relief. But to the parents out there who cannot sign their child(ren) up because of the age restriction, I know I have a community responsibility to you and yours. If you see me masked, it’s for our children. If you see me ordering my groceries for pick up, it’s for them. If you see me picking up my food from a restaurant… I think you get the picture.
Science has given us tools to get through this. I am not perfect, but our spike in numbers is a great reminder of my need to mask up, mitigate (social distance, minimize community contacts, etc.), and encourage others to vaccinate. I will do my best to support the community as we try to leave the high-risk designation. When we work together, we lift each other up. We have 27 days to impact our cases for the benefit of our kids. *classroom bell rings*
Crystal Duncan, Sitka
