Are Students Safe In School?

By: Deyamira Espinal, Opinion Reporter

The COVID-19 outbreak has made it possible for students and staff to enter a worried state of mind since they have to take extra precautions with the Omicron variant. 

With the rise of cases, school attendance has decreased. According to the NYCDOE website 7,114 student cases were reported on January 11th. 

Many students and staff are being diagnosed with the virus and don’t feel safe or comfortable enough attending class given the circumstances.

WJPS is conducting randomly selected testing in the building and distributing COVID-19 take-home tests keeping everyone safe.

Even with all the precautions taking place, we can’t help but think that we are at risk. Many students take public transportation leading to potential contact with the virus.

It has put a lot of stress on students since they now have to worry about the virus and the ending of the semester.

WJPS senior Nyla Briones said, “I don’t feel comfortable being in school during the surge of cases because my brother got COVID and gave it to me during the break, where he contracted it from school. It’d be a lot more safe to be remote.”

WJPS senior Eltzy Galindo said, “I feel like 2020 is repeating itself again because of how bad it is. I don’t feel safe going to school at all. Who knows who has the virus or if I can get it?”

Students should feel safe at school. Even though it can be quite worrisome going to school, we should all continue wearing our masks over our nose and mouth and staying home if we feel ill.