As members of the Georgia education community, we do not believe it is in our best interest to move to in-person education for the Fall 2020 Semester due to the concern of the COVID-19 Crisis.

Amidst a COVID-19 pandemic and a recent spike in those diagnosed, Georgia schools are preparing for opening schools Fall 2020 semester. As academic faculty, parents, and students (in-state, out-of-state, or international) involved with this decision, we believe that remote instruction over in-person delivery should be prioritized to reduce the risk of infection and ensure the safety of our educational community. In-person instruction would still be offered to those where it is necessary or students are willing to go in such as nursing, but other students should not be coerced into risking their health and safety. 

For international students, we ask to provide an exception for those who are currently in the US as many of them cannot go back home due to COVID-19. Please continue to provide visas for these students and allow them to continue learning in the US. Several already have housing contracts and forcing them to move away would create complications. Some would be deported far away with major time differences, hindering their learning. These are hard times for all of us, so we hope to work together to protect our community.

Academic faculty and students are vulnerable and susceptible populations to contract COVID-19 as we would be gathered in large numbers and closer in proximity. If one student was infected, students in the same class or the same living space would be at high risk of becoming infected. Also, symptoms for COVID-19 can take more than 2 weeks to appear, indicating that the pandemic could be spreading without us knowing. Since students showing no symptoms could proceed to school, reopening schools for in-person delivery would especially instigate a faster proliferation of the pandemic.

For those who commute to school each day, this poses a risk for their families as well. Many faculty members and students live with those in the high-risk category (young or elderly). In the past few months, several patients have returned home and unknowingly transmitted the disease to their family. We as members of the academic community do not want to affect or even have a risk of affecting anyone in our family. Therefore, returning to in-person instruction, before the pandemic has been resolved, poses as a threat to our health and the health of those we care about.

For thousands of students that live on-campus, they would need to go to supermarkets for groceries or go eat at restaurants. This further expands the chance of contracting the disease. Furthermore, over the past semester, all schools and campuses were required to evacuate their students and faculty for their safety. This decision is highly praised as we could see the institution’s concerns for our wellbeing. Because we did not begin the semester with remote instruction, this caused multiple complications and confusion on refunds and moving out. Worried families cleared out their belongings and international students left to attempt to find a quick place to stay as flights globally were canceled. With the prospect of COVID-19 spiking again, there would be another predicament of instructing students to repack their items and return to remote instruction. Prioritizing remote instruction first would remove that predicament and the need for an online instruction transition period.

When COVID-19 grew public, numerous parents were and are still concerned about their children’s security traveling back to school. This also includes faculty members with children. From worry and distress, several families decided attending class was not as important as their protection, causing students to fall behind due to in-person instruction. On the other hand, students stricken with fear would continue to force themselves to come in for the earnest sake of learning. Psychologically, these past events and preparation for in-person instruction are tolling and places great stress for parents, faculty, and students. For the upcoming Fall 2020 Semester, this stress has not diminished as the pandemic continues. Under an institution that upholds integrity and ethical responsibility for the health and wellbeing of the Georgia academic community, we hope to relay the sentiment to proceed primarily with remote instruction.

Understandably, institutions are asking academic faculty and students to wear masks to decrease the chance of spread. However, some cannot afford to purchase or do not have resources to find masks. The cost of masks has escalated outstandingly, and most masks need to be discarded after one use. Consequently, the number of disposed masks would also be significantly higher. With limited supply, masks are of high-priority for hospitals and those working closely with COVID-19 patients. Rather than stressing on their supply, we should try to ensure that they are properly stocked and sufficient. As well, masks do not entirely mitigate the spread but do decrease the chances of infection. The virus can be dispersed from the sides of the mask; thus, students sitting beside each other still are at risk. Although this is a small chance, it is a chance that we do not want to take.

Ideally, everyone in the community should be aware of the dangers and risks of COVID-19. Nonetheless, we cannot monitor each person to carry out a set of personal hygiene practices and safety protocols. One person taking a risk—unknowingly infected or intentionally—can jeopardize the entire community.

In conclusion, we hope that the University System of Georgia and Georgia Education Department will opt for remote learning and non deportation for international students for the Fall 2020 Semester to ensure the community’s safety and well-being. The current environment has created a great deal of uncertainty and fear regarding the next steps. Students are hoping to learn and enhance their knowledge academically but in safe conditions to focus. Due to ongoing health conditions, we want to help our community move forward safely, responsibly, and compassionately. By initially guaranteeing remote instruction, we can work together to assure social distancing and flatten the curve.

Please sign your name in agreement for remote instruction for Georgia Schools Fall 2020 Semester and share this with those in the community.

Take a look at this larger petition supported by United Campus Workers of Georgia: http://chng.it/KBfkNyH2NG

If you are apart of Georgia Tech, please also take a look at this supportive statement from leadership for more information on demands and more signatures: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzJmBzud15maXjXwJwwXPnq98kxjSptcKIg4kaMFI8TTC7Lg/viewform?fbzx=-1566037413586819397&fbclid=IwAR37vn6957m4iYLAonL0SvixmMtgGJ7GeHmSg2iEImxaRAgD4eKmD-aPNVE