Overcome COVID fears in the classroom

To all the teachers who are terrified of going into school to teach: We hear you. It is terrifying. Your fears are valid. It is a terrifying time for all of us. But I ask you to please take a deep breath, put on your mask and brave face and return to the classroom.

You will be terrified that first day you walk into the classroom, but that fear gets better as time goes on. I was terrified the first day I walked into a room with a patient who had probable COVID symptoms. I am a pediatrician, and I see COVID patients every day.

From the start of the pandemic, it was never a question of when our practice would open our doors to patients, but a question of how. We worked tirelessly to provide safeguards to keep our patients, families and staff safe. Because that is what we do. We see patients.

We tried virtual visits, but our job cannot be done well remotely. We have seen the mental toll remote learning has taken on our patients, just as you have seen the academic toll.

Other essential workers have figured a way to safely continue to work: police officers, firefighters, pharmacists, postal workers, cashiers, grocery store baggers, dentists, delivery personnel.

Teachers are also essential workers, and their job cannot be done remotely. Teachers have faced many dangerous situations in the past. You bravely return to the classroom each time after a shooter enters a school and does the unthinkable. You have committed to keeping our kids safe in many situations. Why is this any different?

I ask you, we all ask you, please join the rest of the essential workers and show us the bravery you have demonstrated in the past - return to the classroom.

Carissa Lee Holmes

Arlington Heights