As the global pandemic rages on, many Americans are being confronted by an unpleasant truth about the United States: Our country has no social safety net for its most vulnerable, making public schools critical in keeping U.S. children physically, mentally and emotionally safe. Consequently, an increasing number of Americans are now demanding that schools reopen — despite an explosion of new coronavirus cases and daily death tolls of nearly 3,000.

Many teachers do not support re-opening: Not surprisingly, they don’t want to die or to have to set up GoFundMe accounts to pay for their COVID-19-related medical bills. Teachers are well aware of the importance of their role in protecting their students from the brutality of an indifferent society. They are also witnesses to years of our country’s failure to help these same children.