3 years ago my school closed for "2 weeks" to lockdown. Students and teachers were forced to learn and teach virtually from their homes.

These days were filled with fear and uncertainty.

My husband was provided a letter to keep in his vehicle stating he was a mandatory worker, in the case the police pulled him over.

We did not return to school until the following fall and upon that return came mask mandates, sanitizing procedures, and social distancing.

I was forced to wear a mask at work for the duration of my 1st pregnancy. My daughter was born in 2021 and did not see the face of pediatrician for a year because it was covered with a mask. I never knew what my obgyn's (who delivered my daughter) face looked like for a year. My infant daughter cried at the sight of masked faces because she couldn't read facial expressions.

3 years later our children are suffering from learning deficits, lack of social skills (eye contact especially), and fear that a cough or sneeze is the start of hypercontagion.

The government's reaction to the pandemic in 2020 hurt our children academically and socially. History must not repeat itself. My children will not be at the government's mercy for their education.