Since she was very young, my daughter, Mia, has eagerly wanted to join me at protests and local political events. Now that she’s 12, her awareness of social justice issues has only grown. So, when I learned about a press conference hosted by local health experts discussing our school district’s safety plan for COVID, I was thrilled to take her along.
Little did I know, it would turn into a chaotic experience.
The press conference was scheduled before the Central Bucks School District’s board meeting to vote on the 2021/2022 Health and Safety plan. Alarmingly, the proposed plan lacked any COVID safety measures—no masks, no contact tracing, and no requirement for parents to report if their child tested positive for COVID. Given that CBSD serves over 18,000 students, this disregard for federal safety guidelines could have serious health implications for our community. A petition signed by 173 physicians advocating for adherence to the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ mask guidelines was set to be presented.
We arrived early to help with the setup. As the doctors prepared their speeches, I glanced at Mia, who was leaning in, eyes wide with curiosity. It filled my heart with hope to show her how science could influence policy.
Joyful music filled the air as the first speaker approached the microphone, but the atmosphere shifted dramatically. A large group of individuals brandishing “no masks” signs surged forward, some even positioning themselves behind the speaker, holding their signs above her head. The pediatrician appeared visibly rattled as the anti-mask crowd shouted and booed while she spoke.
Tensions escalated throughout the conference. When a doctor of color addressed the audience, someone yelled, “illegal alien!” and “Nazi!” When a Black man attempted to shield the speakers from the aggressive crowd, a woman mocked him, saying, “I can’t breathe.” A local NPR affiliate later reported that this same woman swatted at him as he held the microphone for a speaker.
Sadly, children were not immune from the harassment. When a 16-year-old girl shared her grief over losing family members in India to COVID, someone shouted, “I don’t give a shit!” Even Mia faced bullying; a woman shoved her phone in her face, demanding she say that no children had died from COVID.
As the atmosphere grew increasingly hostile, Mia, known for her fierce spirit, moved closer to me. I wrapped my arm around her tightly for comfort.
After the press conference, we gathered with others supportive of COVID safety to share our experiences. One speaker revealed that during her address, an anti-mask woman whispered crude comments and personal insults to disrupt her. Several students recounted being shoved, cursed at, and threatened with further violence. Others described how the anti-mask supporters had invaded their personal space and obstructed their views with cameras.
With all these distressing incidents weighing on us, we entered the building for the school board meeting that followed. Despite the heavy atmosphere among the adults, Mia remained optimistic. “The school board will HAVE to make us wear masks now,” she said. “Why would they listen to all those loud angry people instead of the doctors?”
Unfortunately, the school board sided with the irate crowd. Despite the CDC designating Bucks County as a “community of substantial transmission” and the AAP recommending masks for all students over age 2, the board voted against any COVID safety measures for the upcoming school year.
This troubling experience at the school board was not unique. School districts nationwide are facing similar episodes of intimidation and a blatant disregard for science. Our community is particularly susceptible to such occurrences. Being in a swing county within a swing state, we have attracted national attention as a battleground for those attempting to impose anti-science, anti-equality policies in our schools. Right-wing political action committees have invested heavily to elect anti-mask candidates to school board positions.
So, what now? How can I send my children to school knowing there will be no COVID safety protocols? How can I safeguard my community from being overtaken by individuals who dismiss science and civility?
I may not have the answers, but Mia does! She’s already discussing with her friends the creation of a club for middle schoolers to advocate for science-based and equitable policies and curricula. I couldn’t be prouder.
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