Boston public schools announced last week they would switch to remote-only learning due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the city, reports said.
Brenda Cassellius, the superintendent for the city’s schools, told parents in a letter last Wednesday that the city’s positivity rate increased from 4.1 percent earlier this month to 5.7 percent.
Roxi Harvey, whose child has special needs, told NBC Boston her heart breaks “for those children who desperately need in-person services.”
Jessica Tang, Boston Teachers Union President, said about a dozen students and staff members have contracted the virus since the beginning of the school year. “We continue to advocate for a safe and sustainable plan,” she said.
The Boston Globe reported that the school year started on 21 September and the students who were prioritized for in-person classes were homeless, had special needs, and those with other challenges.
Harvey insisted the city’s decision will add new challenges for children and parents based on unproven science.
“Public schools… these are not the super-spreaders,” she said. “OK, and we’re talking about 2,600 high-needs students. I think this is manageable.”
