I am not originally from the state of Washington. I am from a small town in Missouri called Sullivan.   In Washington, social distancing and wearing masks are mandated and most school and work is being done remotely, but back in Missouri, masks are optional and so is social distancing. The schools are not operating remotely and don’t require masks. There are many many differences between the way Washington and Missouri are being run. In October of 2020, they tested students and faculty at the school. On that very same day, 150 people tested positive for COVID-19. That was effectively the last day that they had in person instruction until the next year. These students, faculty, and all of their friends and family have been exposed to this serious illness.

When you compare it to Washington, where very strict with social distancing, wearing masks, and remote learning and work, the state cases are fairly low.  If you can imagine that in a small town you have 150 cases in one place, now you must take into account who they came in contact with because they were enjoying sports and life as normal.

I believe, as do people from both sides that I asked, it is truly dependent on each individual state, person, and district on how all of this turns out. We must as a whole no matter religion, politics, color, creed, school, state,  gender or age find a way to get through this and end up stronger on the other side, and it is going to take communication and working together and coming together.