As the third academic year unfolds amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the debate over mask mandates continues to overshadow student safety. Parents in Wisconsin, whose children contracted COVID-19, are now taking a stand by filing lawsuits against their local school districts, claiming that officials failed to adequately protect their children from exposure to the virus.
Recently, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that parents from the Waukesha School District have initiated legal action against both the district and its school board. This follows the district’s decision to remove its mask mandate and other COVID-19 safety measures back in May. Shannon Thompson, a mother of three, recounted how a classmate of her oldest son attended school for two days displaying COVID symptoms before being sent home. This student reportedly wore no mask on the bus or at school, leading to her son showing symptoms shortly after, followed by her two younger sons testing positive. Thompson’s attorney noted that she received delayed notifications about positive cases in her son’s classes and criticized the district for lacking consistent quarantine and contact tracing protocols. Thompson asserts that the school district is “knowingly and recklessly exposing students” to the virus by conducting in-person classes without adequate safety measures. Waukesha School District officials have chosen not to comment on the lawsuit.
In a separate incident, Gina Parker, a parent from the Fall Creek School District, filed a complaint against her district, located 200 miles from Waukesha. Parker’s lawsuit claims that school officials are “recklessly refusing” to follow CDC recommendations for COVID-19 safety, which include universal masking indoors for students and staff, regardless of vaccination status. Parker’s complaint stated that by allowing unmasked staff and visitors into classrooms and resuming extracurricular activities, the school district has put students in a “COVID-19 snake pit.” Parker reported that her son tested positive for the virus after close contact with an infected, unmasked student. Although her son showed no symptoms, she expressed concern over the unknown long-term effects of the virus. “I just wish they would start masking and take responsibility to keep our kids safe at school,” Parker said. She pointed out that the school’s mission to provide a safe learning environment contradicts their actions in light of the Delta variant’s spread.
While both Thompson and Parker’s children have reportedly recovered, many students still face potential risk in schools. It is crucial for school officials to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students.
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Summary:
Parents in Wisconsin are suing school districts for their children’s COVID-19 infections, claiming negligence in safety protocols. One parent reported inadequate communication regarding COVID cases, while another criticized the lack of adherence to CDC guidelines. The ongoing debates raise concerns about student safety as schools navigate pandemic challenges.
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