What Salem Schools Didn’t Tell You About The Coronavirus

Due to the Coronavirus, many schools have opted to shutting down to prevent the spread of the infection.

Today, Bates and Carlton shut down for decontamination and containment, because a family from each had been found to have come in contact with a positive case person of the Coronavirus.

Last weekend, a call went out saying that SHS’ interim principal, Samantha Meier had gone on a trip to Paris, France and had returned but that she did not feel the need to quarantine herself as she or the school board did not think she was a threat to the students’ health. Even though France has been notorious for the spread of the virus. This holiday that Meier had taken was only regarded as critical because of the declaration today that France had become a level 3 country in the now Coronavirus pandemic. Meier still had this whole week in the school without restriction, which is why the school has gone into a deep cleaning phase.

This was no isolated incident within the school systems. Another call went out to all Salem community members saying someone, who was found out to be a teacher, had traveled to Italy. One of the most plagued countries and had a day in the school systems before being dismissed from work.

Tonight at 7:00 pm, the Salem School Committee is holding a meeting to discuss further action on this issue. It was originally meant for preparation, but in this time of imminent threat, it has turned its attention to immediate decision. One of the biggest push backs however, is that many families are low income, so students won’t be fed by staying home and many parents go to work every day and they will no longer have anyone to watch their kids. The School Committee must question whether or not the health and frankly at this point; lives, of the children at stake are more important than families’ minor inconveniences. It may be forgotten by many, but the purpose of a school is to educate, the supervision and meals are simply commodities, not provided to every town.

It would certainly be a dangerous move on the behalf of the school board not to close down for some period of time, since health officials predict the worst of the pandemic is about to hit the USA, and that we follow only a few days behind countries like Italy. Since many children in the school systems are very young and susceptible to the virus’ worst, a great deal have asthma or immunodeficiencies, and this would only allow it to spread further. The majority of other towns have shut down and protected their children. Why is Salem always last in emergencies?

More information will be posted should it come.