American parents are polarized as schools are about to reopen

Like many other mothers, Avalos is hesitant to send her children back to school at a time when the number of nCoV infections across the United States has exceeded 3 million, of which more than 136,000 have died.

`This situation makes me very worried,` Avalos, 46, said.

Principal Pam Rasmussen measures students’ temperatures at Happy Day School’s summer course in Monterey Park, California on July 9.

Although there is evidence that children are at low risk of contracting Covid-19, parents still fear infection in the classroom because it is difficult for children to comply with physical distancing or wear masks for many hours.

However, many people also want their children to go to school because they plan to return to work or are afraid that their children’s education will be seriously affected after many months of staying at home.

Meanwhile, California governor Gavin Newsom affirmed that schools will only open when it is safe enough.

Ultimately, this decision does not lie with the President or the governor, but with the school districts.

Monika Zands, who has three children ranging from 8 to 17 years old, firmly believes that in-person teaching is necessary in the coming school year, especially for her youngest child.

`Our older children are not falling behind because they basically study online every day, which helps them maintain their studies,` Zands, 47, said.

Last semester, the Zands’ youngest child studied one hour online, followed by five hours of homework.

`She was crying, ‘I can’t see my friends, I can’t study like this and now you want me to sit and do homework all day,’` Zands recalls.

Children wear masks and sit far apart at Happy Day School in Monterey Park, California on July 9.

If schools do not reopen in August, she and some parents will consider hiring tutors to come home to teach their children.

`I’m particularly concerned about the risk of further polarization of learning between different socioeconomic groups,` Lee said.

She also warned that the longer schools remain closed, the greater the risk of damage to students’ education, as well as social development and mental health.

Avalos agrees with this.

However, Avalos still wants her daughter, who recently suffered from pneumonia and bronchitis, to continue distance learning to ensure her health.

`If it wasn’t for Covid-19, I would send my children back to school,` she said.