COVID-19: Teachers Protest Opening Schools During Pandemic

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 By Amanda Cooper

"If we die as teachers, there won't be anyone else to teach students," says Chantae Pittman, Director of Choral Activities at Campbell High School in Cobb County.

Along with a dozen local educators, Pittman participated in a silent, socially distanced rally at the Georgia State Capitol Sunday afternoon. ​​​​Although serval school districts in metro Atlanta have elected to start the school year 100% virtually due to the continual rise in confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide, many other districts have not followed suit. 

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Pittman says Cobb County Schools allows school staff and administrators to express themselves publicly without recourse. However, she says that other teachers are not as fortunate, and she is using her voice to speak for them. 

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In Washington, President Trump is urging state governors to open schools nationwide. During a press briefing on Friday, Georgia, Governor Brian shared his thoughts about the upcoming school year, saying,

"I personally think once kids start going back – it's not going to be easy, there are going to be challenges, but every new school year has a challenge. We're going to have cases that break out in schools, either with personnel or perhaps students, just like you do with a stomach bug or a flu or anything else," he said. "Our schools know how to handle those situations."
Pittman says, "there are too many unknown risks that would be taking place in schools." She agrees that schools should be opened, however, not for in-person learning.

Click here for an updated list of school opening dates.