CALIFORNIA (NCC NEWS)–Coronavirus cases are rising, and in certain cities around the country children are returning to class for in-person instruction. The Los Angeles Unified School District started school online this week because of the high number of Covid-19 cases in Los Angeles County. Some parents feel relieved that their kids are returning to schools while others are concerned that their children’s lives are in danger.
In certain areas of California, many parents said they do not have the luxury of working from home. They are concerned about how they are going to work and be at home to support their kids at home in online classes.
Some essential workers who are parents said their most important job is taking care of their children.
“I don’t have extra help,” said Maria Sanchez, who is the only dental assistant and manager at a private practice in Downey, California. “I don’t have the extra money to pay for tutoring every day and I don’t have family members.”
Sanchez and her husband are both considered essential workers, but they also have two underaged children who will be starting online classes next week. Sanchez decided that she had no choice but to take two months off work to stay at home with her kids. Like many families, Sanchez said she cannot afford extra help for the entire fall semester.
She said this decision to become a one-income household caused uncertainty for the future of her job.
“I am very concerned about my job because were a private office and I really don’t have someone else to fill in so that worries me, and unemployment doesn’t pay what I receive from my employer,” said Sanchez.
Covid-19 positive tests over the last seven-day period have risen 45% in California consistently exceeding 5,000 -7,000 a day in Los Angeles County.
Some parents said they are worried that online schooling will continue into the spring.
“If our kids have online classes in the spring my husband and I will have to set aside money to get extra help and a tutor because I have to work, I really can’t afford not to.
