School Reopening Midst of Covid-19 - Essay Sample

Introduction

The essay is a discussion about the reopening of schools after closure due to the covid-19 pandemic. Many activities got disrupted, jobs lost, and most companies and other institutions opted to work from home to curb the spread of the virus, which was spread through droplets by coughing or sneezing or when talking. According to Emily, there was a delay in the closure of schools, which led to the loss of students and some of their family members. The covid-19 rife hit harder than some states were under lockdown for some time, and later reopened after measures were taken to lessen the infection.

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Despite the many challenges that are yet to be addressed like the ventilation in schools, teaching students while still wearing a mask, planning on how learners can attend schools in shifts and the planning by teachers on how to coordinate in-person classes as well as remote teaching, the Government though not formally but is still planning to reopen schools as illustrated by Emily in her article. Reddick has somehow communicated some of the results of reopening the schools early. Still, Emily has clearly and concisely explained the dangers and challenges that might occur if some of the issues are not put into consideration.

Remote Reopening

In Reddick mock obituary about herself, she expounds on the aftermath of schools' remote instruction reopening, teachers contracting the covid-19 virus through interaction with the learners, and then death. The touching obituary is about how a dedicated teacher might end up leaving her family probably with a small child and the sadness and agony faced by his/her other family members as portrayed in the obituary tone. Reddick's article was to be read in the school board meeting; hence the information got directed to the board members and the other teachers in the meeting. She puts it that the teachers had a choice by not stubbing their toes then curse like a sailor. The information was for teachers to air their woes in the meeting and put open the dangers involved in the reopening of the schools. When she wrote, "when an adversary arose, she listened, therefore to become better equipped in leaving the adversary unarmed and better informed," can be interpreted as if teachers were to be compelled, they would resume teaching but had to pass a piece of clear information first. The management, as well as the Government, doesn't care or else is oblivious of the consequences.

In her article, "so many questions still unanswered": Why NYC schools should not reopen in the fall; Emily explains why it is still not safe to reopen and enlists the dangers and challenges involved. She suggests that remote learning was adopted in March after the pandemic outbreak to continue until better strategies are implemented. As per her article, there is a push by the Government to reopen school by all means for the parents to get back to work and revitalize the dwindling national economy. The article is directed to the general public in the US and with targets of some departments and social classes like parents. The Government has deceived the parents and learners about the survey done to determine how comfortable they were with returning to schools; de Blasio misquoted by stating that most parents supported reopening whereas the real position was only 28% was for that opinion. There is also a point of sensitizing other teachers outside NYC and Florida on the teachers' union position regarding the emergency order of reopening schools in August.

She emphasizes on the teachers who haven't qualified for the medical conditions, the number of students to be allowed in one class, the planning by teachers to tackle both remote and in-person training, sufficient ventilation in schools, how often will the teachers and students get tested of the virus as well as their temperatures and more so the lack of allocation of funds by Government to realize all these plans. A strong message is directed to the New York teachers to support remote learning and reject any back to school proposals by organizing strikes.

Ethos

In her article, Reddick creates a sense of ethos by indicating that she was a devoted teacher as well as a family member, i.e., a mother, daughter, wife, and aunt, not forgetting a friend to many hence strengthening her credibility to talk about the risks of reopening schools without the proper measures put in place. Emily articulates her position better thank Reddick by asserting that she is among the teachers in New York who haven't qualified for one of eight medical conditions. Emily also puts herself amid the NYC teachers who have to ponder and decide on whether to organize a strike or emulate Florida's teacher's union by settling the matter in court and avoid the misuse by the politicians' interest of returning business as usual at the expense of their health and life.

Although Hellen tried creating pathos out of her article by explaining the unrealized plans before the reopening of schools, Reddick created a stronger sense of pathos in her obituary. Death is terrifying, and, in her case, a hardworking teacher is dying due to negligence by the management, leaving behind a son, family members, and a gap in school as well. She goes ahead and mentions how she met with her husband and known him for so long, only to be separated by an avoidable mistake. She is a person of passion who fights for her rights, but in the end, she has to bent and join the other teachers I resuming classes despite all the cries. This approach leaves the audience in deep thought.

In her article, Reddick did a little in building logos in her article, but Hellen had full and established arguments. She explains the situation as it started and the current status as well, mentioning her state's positions and the position of the teachers union in Florida. Moreover, it quotes the covid-19 deaths by the exact number and the population in NYC and teachers in the abyss of the Covid-19 infection. She has a clear explanation of the risks involved in the reopening of schools, the challenges to address such issues, and the solutions and actions to be taken by teachers should the Government become adamant.

Conclusion

There is a risk in reopening schools without the correct measures; the Government should allow the teachers to continue with remote teaching and take time to adjust to the requirements of safe reopening. Emily lists and explains the factors to be considered before in-person studies are resumed. The Government should involve all the stakeholders and discuss and settle on a win-win formula for all parties and schools to reopen after full implementation. Emily's article serves to relay full and detailed information to all parties from the Government, parents, teachers, and the public in general.