Today’s read is from Kristen McConnell, a nurse and writer based in New York.

The author takes a shot at President Trump, and makes her case for masks. But she also puts teachers who object to in-person learning on the spot. Here’s an excerpt followed by the entire column.

I support teacher-led campaigns to make sure that safety measures are in place. And any city or state experiencing a spike in cases should keep schools shut, along with indoor businesses.

What I don’t support is preemptively threatening “safety strikes,” as the American Federation of Teachers did in late July.

Instead of taking the summer to hone arguments against returning to the classroom, administrators and teachers should be thinking about how they can best support children and their families through a turbulent time. Schools are essential to the functioning of our society, and that makes teachers essential workers. They should rise to the occasion even if it makes them nervous, just like health-care workers have.

Read the column here.