Since she was little, my daughter, Emma, has expressed a desire to join me at protests and local political gatherings. Now that she’s 12, her passion for social justice has only deepened. So when I learned about a press conference featuring local medical professionals discussing our school district’s health and safety plan, I was eager to bring her along.
Looking back, I wish I hadn’t made that choice.
The press conference was set to take place before a meeting of the Central Brook School District’s board to vote on the 2021-2022 Health and Safety plan. Alarmingly, the proposed plan didn’t include any COVID safety measures—no masks, no contact tracing, and no requirement for parents to inform the school if their child tested positive for COVID. Given that Central Brook serves over 18,000 students, this disregard for federal safety guidelines 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 for mask-wearing was to be presented by the speakers.
We arrived early to help set up, and as the doctors exchanged notes and readied their speeches, I noticed Emma leaning in, her eyes wide with curiosity. My heart raced with excitement at the chance to show her how science can influence policy.
The atmosphere quickly shifted when the first speaker, a pediatrician, took to the mic. A large crowd brandishing “no masks” signs surged toward the front, some even positioning themselves directly behind the speaker and holding their signs over her head. The pediatrician appeared unsettled as the anti-mask crowd shouted and hissed at her.
As the press conference unfolded, tensions escalated. A doctor of color faced jeers like “illegal alien!” and “Nazi!” from the crowd. When a Black man attempted to shield the speakers from the aggressive anti-maskers, a woman mockingly yelled, “I can’t breathe.” Local news later reported that this same woman had lashed out at him when he held the microphone for one of the speakers.
Unfortunately, the harassment extended to children as well. When a 16-year-old girl spoke about losing family members in India to COVID, someone in the crowd coldly retorted, “I don’t give a shit!” Even Emma was not spared. A woman thrust her phone in my daughter’s face, insisting she claim that no children had died from COVID.
As the hostility intensified, my fierce daughter sought refuge beside me, and I wrapped my arm around her, hoping to shield her from the chaos.
After the press conference, we gathered with other supporters of COVID safety to share our experiences. One speaker recounted how an anti-mask woman whispered vile comments and personal insults as she spoke. Several students mentioned they had been pushed, cursed at, and threatened. Others shared how the anti-maskers invaded their personal space and filmed them aggressively.
With these distressing experiences weighing heavily on us, we moved into the building for the impending school board meeting. Despite the somber mood surrounding the adults, Emma remained optimistic. “The school board will HAVE to make us wear masks now,” she said confidently. “Why would they listen to those loud, angry people instead of the doctors?”
Sadly, the school board sided with the raucous crowd. Ignoring the CDC’s recent designation of Bucks County as a “community of substantial transmission,” and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation for all students over age 2 to wear masks, the board voted against any COVID mitigation measures for the upcoming school year.
This unsettling experience at the school board was not unique; similar bullying and disregard for science are occurring in school districts nationwide. Our community, being a swing area in a swing state, is particularly vulnerable to these incidents. National groups have targeted us as a battleground for introducing anti-science, anti-equality policies into our schools, and right-wing PACs have poured substantial funds into electing 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 regulations? How can I safeguard my community from those who dismiss science and civility? I don’t have the answers, but Emma does! She has already started discussions with her friends about forming a club for middle schoolers to advocate for science-based and equitable policies in our curriculum, and I couldn’t be prouder.
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Summary
Taking my 12-year-old daughter to a press conference on COVID safety turned chaotic when anti-mask protesters disrupted the event. Despite a strong petition from doctors advocating for safety measures, the school board ultimately voted against implementing any COVID mitigation strategies. This experience highlighted the growing trend of anti-science sentiment in schools across the country. While I was left questioning how to ensure my children’s safety, my daughter emerged inspired to advocate for science-based policies among her peers.
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