Dear Governor Murphy: A Letter About NJ Schools Reopening
a copy of this letter was emailed to Governor Murphy
Dear Governor Murphy:
I am dismayed to learn that many New Jersey school districts plan to open at full capacity in September. A recently released report meant for federal public health response teams said fully reopening schools and universities remained the “highest risk” for the spread of the coronavirus. I am disappointed that any district would contemplate a hybrid or full opening in the midst of a growing pandemic, but the NJDOE and your office have left them no choice. By requiring NJ districts to offer in-person learning you are putting student and staff lives in danger. It’s disheartening that an administration that has made a mantra of “data determines dates” would force students and staff in NJ public schools to act as guinea pigs.
In the best of times, schools are petri dishes. Scientists know COVID-19 can be aerosolized and HVAC systems can spread the virus. How can we send staff and students back into classrooms that will be breeding grounds for this virus? If billion-dollar sports leagues like the NBA and MLB can’t restart without multiple cases of COVID-19, how can we expect our schools to open safely? If billion-dollar sports leagues like the NBA and MLB are placing players, staff, and…
