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Since my daughter, Ava, was little, she’s always wanted to join me at protests and political gatherings. Now that she’s 12, her interest in social justice has grown even more. So, when I learned about a press conference where local health professionals would discuss our school district’s health and safety plan, I was eager to take her along. In hindsight, that choice would lead to regret.
The press conference was scheduled before a school board meeting where they would vote on the 2021/2022 Health and Safety plan. Alarmingly, the proposed plan included no COVID safety measures—no masks, no contact tracing, and no requirement for parents to notify the school if their child tested positive. Given that our district serves over 18,000 students, this disregard for federal safety guidance could have serious health implications for our community. A petition signed by 173 doctors advocating for adherence to CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines was to be presented at the event.
We arrived early to assist with preparations. As the doctors exchanged notes and prepared their statements, I glanced at Ava, her eyes wide with excitement as she leaned in to hear them. I felt a surge of hope, envisioning a moment where she would see how science could shape policy.
However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when the first speaker, a pediatrician, took the microphone. A large group of demonstrators bearing “no masks” signs surged forward, shouting and hissing at her. The speaker appeared visibly shaken as the anti-mask crowd attempted to drown her out.
As the press conference progressed, tensions escalated. When a doctor of color spoke, someone yelled “illegal alien!” and “Nazi!” A Black man trying to protect the speakers was mocked by a woman who shouted, “I can’t breathe.” A local NPR affiliate later reported that this same woman had attempted to grab the microphone from him as he assisted one of the doctors.
Sadly, children weren’t exempt from the harassment. When a 16-year-old girl shared her story of losing family members in India to COVID, someone yelled, “I don’t give a shit!” Even Ava faced bullying; a woman thrust her phone in Ava’s face, demanding she state that no children had died from COVID.
As the situation grew increasingly intense, Ava, known for her bravery, snuggled close to me. I wrapped my arm around her for comfort.
After the press conference, we gathered with others who supported COVID safety to share our experiences. One speaker revealed that while addressing the crowd, she was subjected to whispered insults and distractions. Several students recounted being shoved and threatened. Others echoed similar experiences of being crowded and harassed by the anti-mask attendees.
With these distressing incidents fresh in our minds, we entered the building for the school board meeting that followed. Despite the grim atmosphere, Ava remained optimistic. “The school board will HAVE to make us wear masks now,” she insisted. “Why would they listen to all those loud angry people instead of the doctors?”
Unfortunately, the school board chose to heed the angry crowd. Despite the CDC designating Bucks County as a community with “substantial transmission,” and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommending that all students over age two should wear masks, our school board voted against any COVID safety measures for the new school year.
This troubling experience with the school board was not an isolated incident. School districts nationwide are witnessing similar bullying and neglect of scientific recommendations. Our community, positioned as a swing county in a swing state, has become a target for national groups seeking to promote anti-science and anti-equality policies within our schools. Right-wing PACs have invested heavily in electing individuals with anti-mask agendas to school board positions.
So, what’s next? How can I send my children to school knowing there will be no COVID safety measures in place? How can I safeguard my community from individuals who disregard science and civility? I don’t have the answers, but Ava does! She’s already been discussing with her friends the idea of forming a club for middle school students to advocate for science-based policies and equitable education. I couldn’t be prouder.
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Summary
A mother shares her experience of taking her 12-year-old daughter to a press conference about COVID safety, where they encountered hostility from anti-mask protesters. The school board ultimately voted against implementing safety measures, reflecting a broader trend of similar incidents across the country. Ava’s response was to rally her peers for advocacy, showcasing the resilience of youth in the face of adversity.