I Really Want to Send My Kids Back to School, But This Delta Situation Is Making Me Anxious

For the entire last school year, I kept my kids home. Although schools were open in our area, the lack of vaccinations for us and the school staff, combined with the ongoing pandemic, made it hard for me to feel safe about sending my children back to the classroom. It was a tough year, especially for my younger son, who found online learning unbearable (we eventually switched to homeschooling, which was much better), but I stand by my choice.

I made the decision to keep my kids at home, partly because I didn’t trust the schools to keep them safe from COVID. While I knew masks were generally effective, I was doubtful that kids would keep them on properly. Plus, I wasn’t convinced that the other safety measures, like social distancing and improved ventilation, would be enforced effectively or actually work to contain the virus.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by how well our school district’s measures worked last year. Most kids who contracted COVID did so outside of school, indicating minimal spread in the classrooms. Research from the CDC also supported this, showing that schools can be a low-risk environment with the right protective measures.

That said, I understand that “low risk” doesn’t mean “no risk,” which is why I hesitated about sending my kids back last year. By the end of the school year, my perspective had shifted. My husband and I were fully vaccinated, which gave me some peace of mind knowing that if one of my kids were to bring COVID home, we would likely be okay. Most teachers at my children’s school were vaccinated as well, addressing one of my main concerns from the previous year. Additionally, my teenage son was fully vaccinated by mid-June.

The only one left unvaccinated was my youngest son. By the end of June, a significant number of adults in our community had received their vaccinations, and COVID numbers were quite low. Given that the previous year’s safety measures had proven effective, I felt comfortable sending my youngest back to school—until the Delta variant emerged.

Can I just say how much I absolutely detest Delta? This variant spreads 2-3 times faster than earlier strains, infects vaccinated individuals more frequently, and has triggered a new wave of COVID across the country. In fact, my county’s COVID positivity rates have quadrupled in the last month, making me question whether sending my unvaccinated child back to school, even with a mask, is safe. Truly, Delta is a nightmare.

Fortunately, I live in a state that hasn’t banned mask mandates in schools. While my state hasn’t released updated COVID guidelines yet, they usually align with CDC recommendations, which suggest that all unvaccinated children should wear masks. I hope my state and school district will require masks for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, considering how Delta is spreading among both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Without verified vaccination statuses, it’s hard to know if unmasked students are truly vaccinated.

Even if my children’s school adheres to the same safety protocols as last year, I’m concerned about their effectiveness against Delta. Plus, there are parents who have become even more resistant to mask-wearing. Will they encourage their kids to take off their masks in protest? Last year, it seemed that most parents agreed on the importance of masks in schools. This year, the mask issue has become highly politicized, leading me to believe that school districts will face significant parental backlash, no matter their decision. This uncertainty makes me anxious about sending my kids back.

Despite my worries, I still plan to send my children back to school. My vaccinated teenager is definitely going, and he will wear a mask, regardless of the rules. As for my youngest, he struggled the most during isolation, and after 18 months, we’re weighing his mental health against the risks of COVID. I don’t want him to contract the virus, but if the school environment remains “low risk,” even if not entirely “zero risk,” I can accept that. The real question is whether Delta will elevate the risks. Are masks sufficient? Do they protect against Delta as effectively as they did against earlier strains? What if positivity rates surge before school starts?

These are all factors I’ll continue to monitor as the school year approaches. In the meantime, I’ll be here, anxiously awaiting updates from our school district, obsessing over every new study, and, of course, cursing Delta.

For more insights, check out this related blog post here about navigating the challenges of parenting during a pandemic. If you’re interested in learning about home insemination, visit Make a Mom for expert resources. Additionally, for valuable information on pregnancy and fertility, Cleveland Clinic offers an excellent podcast.

Summary

Parents face a tough decision about sending kids back to school amid rising concerns over the Delta variant. While many safety measures from the previous school year were effective, the emergence of Delta raises questions about risks, especially for unvaccinated children. As parents weigh the mental health impacts of isolation against the health risks of COVID, the situation remains fluid.

Keyphrase: COVID concerns about sending kids to school

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