Thoughts on the Teacher Who Put Her Son in the Trunk of Her Car

      Friday, the news broke that a teacher was arrested for putting her son in the trunk of her car to take him to a Covid testing site.  She says that she did it to keep him from infecting her, according to the warrant.  He is a thirteen year-old male. His mom is facing child endangerment charges.

     Here's what I think. These are just my thoughts...

     School districts across the U.S. are obtaining grants that offer teachers incentives for being in attendance. This is because of the catastrophic shortage of teachers and Guest Teachers (substitutes), nationwide. Our district has such a plan. Our is based on being in attendance ninety percent of the days that school is in session.

     So, out of one side of their mouths, school districts are touting self-care, while out of the other side they are saying we need you to be at school.  It is a no-win situation for those of us working in the trenches.

     Back to the mom that was arrested.  I am sure she is under the same pressures.  While I don't condone putting any child in the trunk of a car, this teacher-mom was probably pushed to the point of not knowing what her options were.  How could she get her son tested without exposing herself or any of her other loved ones?  

     There are home testing kits out there, but the Federal Trade Commission warns us of their validity.  She was doing what she thought was right, getting her son tested. Did she need to put him in the trunk? Undoubtedly not! This makes me think of the adage, "Desperate times call for desperate measures."  I don't know her circumstances. In my heart, I believe she was trying to do the right thing: Get her son tested, while trying not to catch the virus herself, and lose time off from work, knowing how desperate the situation is with the public schools. I believe she was at a crossroads.

     Bottom line? It's a shame that the actions of some push well-meaning people to do things that they wouldn't ordinarily do.  Do I think this woman goes around with her kids in her trunk? Of course not!  Do I think that her actions were driven by the teacher shortage and job-security.? Absolutely! It will be interesting to see how this plays out...