As a newly pregnant first grade teacher, Jane* told POPSUGAR she's concerned her school district is proceeding with the school year "like normal." The little instruction she said she's received via email from administrators outlines a plan that will not enforce the wearing of masks.
"I think masks should 100 percent be a requirement to open normally," she said, adding that she's "very concerned" about the overall lack of preparation."It feels like many people in my city and state are in denial of the severity of COVID," she explained.
Though some educators have reported considering leaving the profession altogether over safety concerns, Jane said that isn't an option for her family right now. "I need the income and ability to take maternity leave," but she is also worried that she won't be able to do her job well under such stressful conditions. She told POPSUGAR it's been especially frustrating to feel like South Dakotan educators lack support from their own community. "People keep saying '[young] kids don't get sick,'" she explained, "and it feels like no one cares about staff and students who are immunocompromised."
