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People concerned about reopening Utah schools rally at State Capitol

Posted at 12:13 PM, Jul 23, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-23 15:13:31-04

SALT LAKE CITY — Many of Utah's school districts are planning to reopen with in-person classes this fall, and COVID-19-related safety concerns prompted a rally at the Utah State Capitol Thursday.

About 100 people, mainly teachers and others who support them, attended the "Mask in and Caravan for Safe Schools" rally.

"We want schools to enforce masking, have CDC workplace compliant HVAC systems, and to do their best with social distancing by offering parents the option for blended learning. Parents shouldn’t have to choose between their child’s physical safety and their mental health. Teachers deserve safe classrooms with less COVID exposure. Keep Utah schools safe!," a Facebook post created to promote the rally said.

Wendy Moss, a schoolteacher and advocate for the grassroots organization Safe Utah Schools, spoke with FOX 13 about the concerns she shares with others who attended the rally.

"We want to be in school, but we want to be in school safely. I think that's 100 percent of the teachers and we just don't feel like we're safe yet," Moss said. "I love my job and I love my students and I don't want them to get COVID in my classroom. I don't want to get either and I don't want to bring it home to my kids."