While the coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone’s lives, students continue to adapt to the changes involving education. Children of all ages used to go to school face-to-face, sit in crowded places, and enjoy life without worrying about catching a fatal virus. With the new conditions, students have started learning remotely, through live sessions and websites. The question of whether in-person learning has become more important than putting students at risk of catching COVID-19 has emerged. We need to realize that putting students’ health first should be the number one priority.
COVID-19, a deadly disease, spreads easily. The United States hasn’t taken necessary precautions to limit the spread, so the opportunity for someone to catch the disease rises daily. Not only does the US have the most cases in the world, we also lead in the number of deaths caused by the coronavirus. The president has also downplayed the effects of the coronavirus, causing chaos. The Times notes, “He has stubbornly clung to a fantastical belief that the virus will simply ‘disappear’; he encouraged states to reopen ahead of his own Administration’s guidelines; and he has repeatedly cherry-picked statistics that make the situation in the U.S. look far better than it is in reality.” The mixed messages and the late response from the president has made the coronavirus a bigger threat. Going back to school can worsen the pandemic and cause the case and fatality numbers to increase more than it already has. According to the Associated Press, “Teachers in at least three states have died after bouts with the coronavirus since the dawn of the school year.” No one wants to go through the pain of losing a loved one just because they had to attend school.
Including the number of lives saved, virtual learning has its advantages. It provides flexibility to students, a comfortable work environment, and it makes it easier for students to get one-on-one time with their teachers. Teachers have tried to make it easier for students by giving them less work and tests. Overall, it has become a temporary replacement for face-to-face learning, and it hasn’t changed too much.
I don’t doubt that students would prefer to be back in school. They miss their friends, teachers, and hands-on learning. In-person education allows students to understand the material better, gives people who might have a troubled home a safe haven for the day, and students have more motivation to do work. Even though most people would prefer it, we can’t be selfish. We have to think about how everyone has a different situation at home, and that going back to school can impact every student differently. Right now, online school remains our best option to learn and keep everyone healthy.
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