The Governor of Utah announced on April 14, 2020 that Utah schools would not reopen for the rest of the year. This is an extreme overreaction to the spread of COVID-19, which is beginning to slow. The decision to keep schools closed should continue to be re-evaluated weekly rather than just closing schools until the end of the year.

This decision to close schools until the end of the year in Utah will impact students negatively, especially seniors and those who do not have internet access. It also harms parents that are struggling to work and keep their kids caught up on schoolwork.

In Utah, about 16% of households do not have some kind of access to internet. The kids in these households can not complete online schooling and are therefore falling behind. By taking away any chance of schools opening up, we are putting these kids at a disadvantage.

For many parents, they are struggling to balance work and making sure their kids get all their schoolwork done. It is unfair to parents to close schools for the year right now when there is still a chance conditions improve enough for school to go back in session.

For seniors, this is their last year of high school. By closing schools the rest of the year, we are stripping them of some of the best parts of high school, including an actual graduation, senior dinner dances, and other activities. This is the last time they may see some of their peers.

I am a senior and I'm devastated that the governor would take such a decisive action so early on. There is still so much time and I was beginning to hope to go to prom or walk at graduation. I no longer have that opportunity due to this premature decision.

Yes, determining school closure week by week does not mean schools will eventually open if it continues to be a health risk. However, there is no reason to overreact and close schools for the rest of the year right now. The school year is scheduled to end at around the end of May, which is still over a month and a half away. Things could drastically change over the next month and a half in regards to coronavirus. In fact, confirmed cases in Utah have decreased from April 11 to 14. This is no time to overreact. We need to take things week by week to be fair to all students and their parents.