Summary

Dr. Deborah M. Vereen expresses concern over the decision of educational institutions to reopen for in-person learning amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, citing potential health risks and questioning the motives behind the rush to reopen.

Abstract

The article titled "Just Spillin’ the Tea" by Dr. Deborah M. Vereen, a retired teacher and school administrator, critically addresses the reopening of schools and universities for in-person learning across the United States. Despite warnings from medical and scientific experts, educational leaders have chosen to prioritize the economic status quo over the safety of students, faculty, and staff. Vereen argues that this decision reflects a lack of empathy and compassion, valuing financial stability over human life. She predicts severe consequences, including increased COVID-19 cases and deaths, which will inevitably force institutions to revert to online learning. The author believes that the impending educational interruptions and the associated grief could have been prevented if the warnings of the medical community had been heeded.

Opinions

School leaders have ignored medical and scientific advice by reopening, showing a lack of empathy and compassion.
The primary motivation for reopening schools is to maintain the economic status quo rather than ensure safety.
The author believes that placing more value on financial considerations than on human life is a violation of the fundamental right to protection.
Consequences of reopening too quickly will include increased COVID-19 cases, leading to suspensions, removals, and eventually a return to online learning.
The push to reopen schools is seen as a rush made for the wrong reasons, which could lead to avoidable sorrow and an increase in illness and death.
The author stands by her belief that had the medical and scientific communities' cautions been taken seriously, the current situation could have been avoided.

Just Spillin’ the Tea

School interruptions have only just begun. Those that provide in-person learning will pay a hefty price for doing so.

In-person learning and instruction have begun at colleges, universities, and schools throughout the United States.

School and university leaders refused to listened to those from the medical and scientific who warned them against doing so. Instead of placing emphasis on keeping students, faculty members, and school personnel safe, leaders have opted to reopen their doors.

Covid-19 began to surge nation wide even before most schools began reopening for in-person classes. This was happening as all safety protocols including wearing masks and social distancing were either consistently adhered to, partially adhered to, or totally ignored in some regions.

The rising national and global death toll as well as increased numbers of cases associated with the pandemic have not been enough for keep schools and higher institutions of closed. Neither have all of the stories circulating about the recovery ordeals and grief stricken individuals who have lost their loved ones.

To me, this translates into a lack of concern fueled by a total lack of empathy and compassion. I believe the hearts of those board members, trustee, and other leaders who made decision to reopen their doors in the midst of a pandemic have grown cold. I don’t think they care…about their students, employees, or their families.

They just don’t care about us.

What Drove Their Decision to Reopen?

I have a very strong opinion about the reasons why schools have reopened and will continue reopening their doors for students and employees to attend classes and work in-person.

I share my beliefs without apology or regret.

Educational institutions must maintain their economic status quo. They refuse to be put into a position of losing money by keeping their doors closed to students or by maintaining an exclusive on-line educational platform.

It saddens me just I know it saddens others to know that more value has been placed upon financial losses and gains than on the protection of children, young people, and those who educate them. To me, the fundamental right for the lives of these precious human beings to be protected has been violated.

Because of this, I believe that there will be a price to pay.

Consequences

I have published many stories about my opinion about schools reopening too soon. Links to a few of these are shown below.

A Huge Price to Pay

I believe that schools that reopen in-person learning too quickly will suffer consequences.

medium.com

Reopening Schools Is A Game of Chance

What’s the rush?

medium.com

Here is my exclusive opinion pertaining to this matter. While some would argue that I am making a prediction, I really am not. I just have very strong beliefs.

What is beginning to happen at educational facilities that opened too quickly will happen at a much larger scale.

At the college and university level, student suspensions and removals will not be enough. More students will continue to defy social distancing and mask wearing safety guidelines because they will continue to place an extremely higher value their socialization than they do on the protection of themselves and others.

At schools where mask wearing is optional, the rate of exposure to Covid-19 will continue to climb. Additionally, the rate will keep growing in school where the safety protocols that include mask wearing, social distancing, good systems of ventilation, and good hand hygiene are in place.

With the flu season approaching and without a cure for the corona virus, colleges, universities, and traditional brick and mortar schools will be forced to close their doors once again as illnesses surge. They will be forced to go back to on-line learning.

The saddest part to all of this is that more people will be adversely impacted either through illness or death.

A Much Deeper Thought

I just think that educational interruptions that are likely to occur in the near future. I also feel as though an added unspeakable grief will follow as the number of cases soar.

I just think that all of the sorrow that is yet to come could have been avoided if there weren’t such a push and a rush to reopen in-person educational schools and institutions for what I believe were the wrong reasons.

If only leaders and students responsible enough to make sound decisions for the common good of humanity would have listened. If only they would have listened to the words of caution and warnings given by the medical and scientific communities.

I stand by the truth that I speak.

What are your thoughts?

Here’s my golden ticket that helps me accomplish my mission.

Dr. Deborah M. Vereen is a retired Teacher and School Administrator. Her website is www.Drdeborahmvereen.com and her YouTube Channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS1DPhBeA29UlybU9jzDkdQ .