Two moms die from COVID-19 after children were exposed at school

Masked students in their classroom.
Masked students in their classroom. Photo credit Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A West Side school community is mourning the death of two mothers who died from COVID-19 after their children were reported exposed to the deadly virus at school.

According to the Chicago Teachers Union, both schools sent both children home from quarantined classrooms. Now, the Jensen school community is in mourning after COVID-19 claimed the lives of two mothers - a 47-year old and a 32-year old.

Elected officials joined parents, students, and rank and file CTU members at Jensen Wednesday to demand safety improvements that the mayor's CPS team continues to ignore.

Jensen Elementary in Chicago has mandated 11 of its 17 classrooms at Jensen Elementary to quarantine in the last week.

One of the mothers, Shenitha “Angel” Curry, 43, said on social media that she was never contacted by a contact tracer. She died within a week.

Curry was described by family as “vibrant and outspoken” and Curry’s sister told the Sun-Times that Curry told her in her final days that she was sure her illness stemmed from Jensen Elementary School in the North Lawndale neighborhood. The school system denies that the eight COVID cases among students and staff at Jensen were passed along to anyone at the school.

On Monday, teachers and other staffers at Jensen Elementary School wore black in the memory of the two mothers who lost their lives to COVID.

The Jensen Local School Council is holding an after-school Speak-Out for Safety at the school at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. CTU is asking the community to join parents and rank and file school members at the event.

Additionally, a GoFundMe has been created for Shenitha Curry's funeral.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images