Harold was jaded by the hypocrisy of the politicians. It was the middle of winter, the flu season was in full swing, and COVID-19 was still out of control. Which is why Harold was not at all excited when he learned that, starting in January, the school district he was teaching in was planning to resume in-person, on-site classes.
He loved teaching from home. He could safely conduct his classes online via Zoom and his students seemed to thrive. Plus, working from home gave him peace and quiet. It was his personal refuge.
Why would they do this now, deep into flu season and with the pandemic still raging? It seemed to be ill-conceived to Harold. Was the superintendent a loyal, misguided Trump ally? Was it all some elaborate marketing ploy on the part of the local government? Why would they ignore the advise of scientists and doctors?
Harold had to make a tough decision. Should he cave to the insanity and risk his health, or quit the profession he loved? After carefully weighing his options, he made his decision.
Written for Paula Light’s Thursday Inspiration prompt, where the theme is “school.” Also for these daily prompts: Ragtag Daily Prompt (jade), MMA Storytime (winter), Word of the Day Challenge (excited), Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (refuge), Your Daily Word Prompt (ally), and The Daily Spur (marketing).
This, That, and the Other 
Stay home and stay safe. My family are teachers and the crazy superintendents want kids back in class. So far the board members, do not.
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I hope he decided to keep teaching – there’s such a shortage now! I’ve discussed this with several people, and the consensus is, some kids thrive with online learning and others don’t. Some teachers have the experience that some kids don’t “show up” for their online sessions. In general, it seems that children will fall behind if this continues.
But look at our priorities: keep bars and restaurants open, but keep schools closed. Granted, schools are germ factories, but in Europe they had different priorities. Open the schools, with some safeguards, and close bars and restaurants! Why can’t we be more like the Europeans?!
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Because for too long we’ve been teaching children how to pass standardized tests and not how to think critically. It’s the dumbing down of America.
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Ooooo… tough decision.
If it were me and I really loved the job in person (rather that truly preferring doing it online even if there weren’t COVID-19 to deal with), I’d beef up on nutrition and extra nutrients (supplements like zink and so forth). And I’d keep a chart, on my person, of treatments I do and don’t want to approve of if I go to outpatient care or a hospital.
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Great use of prompts!
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Thanks, Paula.
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There are a lot of people in this quandary! Good story
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I’m glad I no longer have school-aged children.
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Wait a few years, when you’re grand child will be going to school…
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Á huge dilemma, especially for older teachers.
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I realize the children need “order” and routine in their day, but it is so risky for spreading the disease. I know two teachers, one is teaching and the other took the year off. I think it all depends on your own health and the ones you are surrounded by. A definite dilemma!
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