Pandemic
On the surface
Statistics float
Waves of numbers seep onto the land
The awesome and terrible power of the deep black closes in
Those affected cannot orient themselves
As the flood pours over their heads
Which way is up?
How pertinent is it to know who is drowning?
Is it relevant to know when we will be pulled under?
Or do we slowly sink with the others into the deepening bog?
The disaster brings a sense of connectedness
As our flotation devices are punctured
Will we be able to pull each other out?
As we get closer to reopening our schools in the state of California, I can't help thinking about the numbers that are thrown at us every day. Because the percentage of young people dying from COVID 19 is small, many people believe that it is time to go back. However, the fact that there is a percentage at all is unnerving to say the least. If only one child dies, it is too many. One child is too many to risk. One child is important enough to be cautious. One child's safety is paramount to being a humane society. What if that one child is yours? In the amazing district where I work, we are dedicated to putting our learners first. Those children are why I do what I do. If we are putting our children first, then we keep them safe . . . even if the percentages are low . . . even if there is a chance that only one child will die. We have to pull each other out of this mess. That means we have to take care of each other. I am willing to be a little inconvenienced now to make sure that every child that I work with is safe.