I work with children with special needs. We returned to school in person the end of October. Our district was great about providing PPE and setting up spaces so we could spread students out. I felt as safe as possible given the situation.
I kept my husband safe from October until January. I followed every precaution. Parents did too. District was supportive.

Our district worked tirelessly to get us scheduled to be vaccinated, prioritizing therapists and teachers working with our most severely impaired children.

My first vaccination was scheduled for January 16. On January 14, a family made a decision that changed my life. Knowing that they had another child at home who was symptomatic and tested positive for COVID, they knowingly sent their HS child with special needs to school. They never had him tested. They never warned us. Per district protocol, he was to have been kept home. This requirement was sent to every parent in the district.

His deficits are severe. We can’t keep him masked. He spits, bites, yells, hits, scratches, etc. There is no way to socially distance from him. I was wearing PPE.

It wasn’t enough. He was an asymptomatic carrier. This family KNOWINGLY put all of us at risk.

My exposure was 1/14. I had my vaccine 1/16, but it didn’t have enough time to work. I tested positive 1/21 and my husband did on
1/23. I lost him 2/15.

I love working with children with special needs. I’ve done it for 37 years. I never thought it would be my husband’s death sentence.