OPINION: The city should respect religious observance during COVID-19 crisis

Assemblymember Aravella Simotas has criticized the city and state for continuing school on Passover. Photo courtesy of Simotas’ Office

By Assemblymember Aravella Simotas

As we navigate an uncertain time of shutdowns, job losses, and illness during this unprecedented pandemic, we are so thankful for our educators who have stepped up to establish a semblance of normality in our children’s education through distance learning, virtual homework, and video classes.

Yet, the reality is, however, that this is obviously not normal circumstances. Not only are we living in a time during which half of the world is on lockdown, but we are also living in a state deemed the epicenter of COVID-19. We hear in the news about daily fatalities at an unprecedented rate, all while fulfilling our responsibilities to remain indoors during this state of emergency. 

 As a parent myself, I do my best to create a routine for my second grader by helping her with her assignments and setting aside time for her learning on the weekdays. Educators across the city have been working non-stop to establish some sort of normalcy and continuity in our student’s education. They have even sacrificed their spring breaks to create an online learning environment for children.

Our school community has been made to adjust to a new system of learning, to still complete their assignments and teaching models, and to cope with the stress of this pandemic. Many children and faculty are enduring the anxiety of family members’ illnesses, parents deemed essential workers or laid off, or finding a home in which to shelter for the duration of this crisis. 

Now, teachers have been told at the last minute that they will not be able to observe religious holidays as they have in the past without using their sick time, and students will have to take excused absences and catch up on the work they miss.

The need to ensure as limited disruption as possible in educational curricula, considering the time that was taken to rearrange the classroom setting for distance learning when schools shut down, is understandable. I am grateful to all of the educators who stepped up to create a new teaching environment for their students. Students and educators should not have to choose between their education and their faith.

Respecting shared holidays promotes acceptance and inclusion. In the midst of a crisis, we should not be creating additional burdens on educators and families who observe these traditions.

Our community needs time to heal, and for many families that means finding ways to continue celebrating their holidays and making time for religious reflection and spiritual health. 

The city should not take that away from families.

Assemblymember Aravella Simotas represents Astoria and parts of Long Island City.