Friend, I wanted to share my experiences with you as the parent of school-age children in Cobb County, Georgia.

The media is treating the response by schools to COVID as a debate, a controversy, and the subject of political analysis. But when it comes to my children's health, I could not care less about political party, poll numbers, and which "side" is winning. As a parent, one of our most sacred responsibilities is to keep our kids safe -- to protect them.

It's stunning the elected officials charged with our kids' well-being won't do the bare minimum with a simple mask mandate. It’s even more stunning that Cobb County schools are ignoring the recommendations of their county’s own public health officials.

I know I'm not alone in my frustration and fear. How is your school district reacting to the threat of COVID-19? Whether you're a student, faculty member, parent, or a concerned citizen who cares about their community, please take a minute to share your thoughts, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure our voices are heard →

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

In the past week, school districts in the metro Atlanta area have recorded more than 6,300 cases of COVID. In Cobb County, COVID cases in our schools doubled -- TWICE -- in the first three weeks of classes.

Hospitals across the state are being overwhelmed by new COVID patients -- most of them unvaccinated, and a growing number of them children.

According to the GA Department of Health, one in every 100 children in Georgia ages 5-17 has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks.

Yet, we're seeing a complete abdication of leadership at every level.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has taken a "hands-off" approach and left mask decisions to local school districts but has banned businesses from mandating masks.

Superintendent Chris Ragsdale has refused to enact a mask mandate even though we are now seven times what is considered a "high" rate of infection.

School Board Chair Randy Scamihorn refused to add COVID to the agenda of last week’s School Board meeting because "it's not an emergency" -- literally the same day Cobb County declared an emergency due to rising cases.

And School Board Vice-Chair David Banks has been circulating debunked anti-mask and anti-vaccine propaganda via his official email account.

Down the street from my house is Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where my daughter, Ava, was born. They have requested funds for a temporary auxiliary morgue to deal with COVID deaths. I don't care who you vote for, what news channel you watch, or what party you identify with -- this is a life-and-death situation, and we need leaders who take it seriously.

Would you please take a minute and share your experiences with returning to school, masks, and COVID in your community? I'll do everything possible to make sure our stories are heard above the political noise -- thank you so much →

Stay safe, and thank you for your resilience,

-- Sarah

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