‘We are in the storm’: What parents are saying
By Bobby Bryant, Editor
When the Darlington County School Board meets, its sessions are live-streamed on the school district’s social media. Parents following the meetings online can post comments in real time on what the board is saying or doing. Normally, the audiences for these sessions are not large and the comments are restrained and polite. But when the board got deep into discussions about COVID-19 during its Aug. 23 session, hundreds of parents – most of them anxious, some of them angry – posted hundreds of comments during the meeting. Here are some examples of what parents had to say: “So many speculations with people’s lives! Vaccinated or not could equal death!!!!!! Then what??” “Just close the dang schools.” “I can’t even listen anymore. I’m sorry that some of you are being forced to choose (because of the district’s COVID-leave policy). It’s not fair. I will make my stand.” “Trust me, teachers, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers are already crazy tired.” “I am so hurt by the district that I have worked so hard for.” “Teachers, I will gladly stand with you against this (COVID-leave policy) … Your body, your choice!” “Vaccinated people are getting COVID. I’m a nurse, that is a FACT.” “Y’all don’t want to wear masks. You don’t want to get vaccinated. What do you want? We need to do something. Schools will not be able to stay open. This is just the calm before the storm.” “I’m done watching this show! Y’all can have it. I’m pulling my kids out in the morning.” “Please close the schools and go virtual.” “My kids will not get a vaccine!” “I got vaccinated to save YOUR child.” “Socialism is alive and well in Darlington County.” “We are in the storm. Not blaming anyone, but this is a very real and dangerous storm.”