OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The countdown to the first day of school is about a week away for some districts. Educators have several concerns about returning to school, so they are stepping up and speaking out as they fight for a safe return to school.
Teachers, educators, parents and supporters took their fight to the streets, demanding a mask mandate for the entire metro area.
Protestors could be heard chanting, "What do we want? Mask mandate! When do we want it? Now!"
Hundreds lined the streets of Memorial park and the Dodge Street Bridge. Educators and their supporters were putting down pencils and picking up protest signs.
"With increased COVID cases, testing just doesn't seem to be very efficient in Nebraska, just worried if we can trace it and control it." said mask mandate supporter Jenny Synowiecki.
More than a dozen school districts and educators from all across the metro area are standing in solidarity, calling for a statewide mask mandate.
Supporter Kim Wheeler says "I just hope that we are doing everything possible to protect our students and teachers. Right now there is so much unknown, test cases keep going up and if this mask mandate can protect just one student or teacher then its worth it."
Schools are a major concern and they are asking for consistency in school districts as well as cities and counties. Supporters can be seen holding signs like "I would die for my students but I shouldn't have to."
"We don't really know specifics about COVID-19, they are still doing studies, we don't know long term effects, still figuring out short term effects, a lot of the unknown is the worry here," continued Synowiecki.
They are asking all to remember that masks are are disposable, but teachers aren't.
They say their next steps may be to take their fight directly to the Governors office.
