Ordinary Gente

Twenty-one days ago my employer, Long Beach Unified School District did the unthinkable and sent home all 70,000 students and every teacher for a “five weeks” until this Corona Virus could get under control and the rooms could be sanitized. Then the district extended the school closure while all the teacher avidly exploring how to teach from home. Just this week, the district announced the closure of schools for the rest of the year. We are still asked to educate students, quickly learn new digital platforms to educate students and assure all students have technology at home and that they can use it. It’s the same story in every school district in California and in other states. Basically, we are asked to do what’s never been done and do it at scale, with a smile and staying indoors for months.

I have been making phone calls to English Learners to check in on them and to guide them to login to their virtual classrooms. Many of them are scared and look to me and any adult for answers, answers that by and large we don’t have. Some of the students I know have worked diligently to learn English and do well in their classes and all they want is to dance at prom, walk the stage at graduation ceremony or do anything normal. On several occasions, I left my authority and calm demeanor as I hung up the phone and realize the hot thing on my cheek is a shared heartbreak overflowing from my heart out my eyes. I feel distressed that I can’t help them and my only words of comfort are to stay inside and wash your hand.

Many are afraid. Surreal scenes surround us. Streets and freeways are empty. Shops, movie theaters, salons, restaurants, everything is closed. Last week the County Board of Supervisors urged southern Californians to stay home except for grocery shopping, trips to the doctor and outdoor exercise. The exercise exception is gone now and beaches, trail heads and parks are now closed as well.

The statistics are mind boggling. Italy and Spain report the most number of deaths today, more than 14,000 and 11,000, respectively. Every country has cases and everywhere people will die from respiratory failure. Our medical infrastructure is not equipped. Our medical professionals don’t have the protective equipment to stay uninfected. Our national politicians deliver inconsistent messages. Our president prioritizes the stock market and his billionaire buddies.

Meanwhile, over 10 million Americans were put out of work in the last two weeks. That number is astronomical. My favorite brother and sister-in-law work in hospitality and they have seniority and have very comfortable lives. But the Colorado resort ski-town they live in shut down. Literally closed. Every hotel and restaurant closed and they asked every tourist leave. The town is open only to residents. My brother and sister-in-law are precarious as are all the people thrown out of work for no fault of their own.

I’m lucky enough to work from home, supporting teachers and students learning English. I’m working harder and longer that I ever did going to campus. I’m unsure of what and how I’m to do my job. It’s one day at a time. And today the statistics aren’t complete. As of yesterday, more than 59,000 have died. So it’s a good day to be alive, hunkering down with the love of my life.