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1/ Two private religious schools are set to reopen soon in Cameron County, an area that has been hit hard by the coronavirus. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
2/ Here, local health officials will not allow students to return to classrooms until late September at the earliest.
But these two schools plan to buck the emergency directive and bring students back sooner — even if it means a fight in court. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
But these two schools plan to buck the emergency directive and bring students back sooner — even if it means a fight in court. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
3/ Laguna Madre Christian Academy and Calvary Christian School of Excellence plan to open Aug. 31 and Sept. 8, respectively, following new safety protocols and with the backing of the religious freedom law firm First Liberty Institute. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
4/ Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued nonbinding legal guidance last month advising that religious private schools have unique legal protections and "need not comply" with local health officials’ orders to close. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
5/ After the religious schools threatened legal action, Cameron County granted Laguna Madre an exception, acknowledging that it is in “a unique situation” with just five staff members and 20 students. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
6/ “The hospitals are in a better position now such that if LMCA’s students, staff, or their families become ill and require hospitalization, the hospitals have the capacity to manage,” an attorney for the county told Laguna Madre officials this week. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
7/ The dispute strikes at a larger question: In a hard-hit area where public schools are closed, is it safe for private schools to open?
After all, the virus does not respect such distinctions. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
After all, the virus does not respect such distinctions. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
8/ University of Texas researchers estimate that at a school of 100 in Cameron County, three people would arrive infected within the first week. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
10/ Another risk assessment tool predicts that at a Cameron County event of just 10 people, there is as much as a 57% chance of at least one person with COVID-19 in attendance. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
11/ Both Laguna Madre and Calvary Christian say they have adopted safety protocols including physical distancing, frequent sanitization of high-touch surfaces and routine health checks. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
12/ At Calvary Christian, preparations are as detailed as separate recess sessions, touchless water fountains and single-use condiment packages.
Parents will sign liability waivers. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
Parents will sign liability waivers. https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
13/13 “More than anything,” Calvary Christian’s guidance reads, “we are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for His protection and salvation.” https://bit.ly/2Yk4xCv
