The Covid-19 pandemic is only worsening, making London region’s students and caregivers worry as the date of schools reopening quickly approaches. The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) and Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU) need to be held accountable for keeping London region’s youth safe. Covid-19 cases are only rising as they reach record breaking numbers in London’s history of this pandemic. However, schools are still planning to reopen when they’ve been closed under much better circumstances. What does this say about the safety of returning to in person learning? 

Through talking to many students and their caregivers, we have discovered that there is a common feeling of deep anxiety over the safety of returning to school as we watch so many people around us get Covid-19, even while following every guideline provided. Students want to return to in-person learning however, we want to prioritize our safety by returning to in person learning at a later safer date.

If schools are making it impossible to follow the guidelines set out to protect us how are we supposed to feel safe? Classrooms are crowded with students much closer than six feet. Cafeterias are overcrowded giving students little option as the weather gets worse. However, this isn’t just about the average student. What about immunocompromised students or students with immunocompromised family members that could get incredibly sick from Covid-19? 

We propose that the TVDSB and MLHU work together to make their youth safe again by following Western University’s lead and putting a hold on in person learning until at least January 31st or the end of the semester.