Barlow Mitchell sits outside the Lee County Public Library while using the public WIFI, in Beattyville, Ky., Wednesday, July 29, 2020. As in other places, parents and officials are concerned about the virus, but dramatically limited internet access in many rural places also means kids could fall seriously behind if the pandemic keeps them home again.
Lee County, a community of around 7,000 people deep in the Appalachian Mountains, is one of many rural school districts around the country where the decision over whether to bring students back into classrooms is particularly fraught. As in other places, parents and officials are concerned about the virus, but dramatically limited internet access here also means kids could fall seriously behind if the pandemic keeps them home again.
In an effort to accommodate those without reliable internet, students will submit their work periodically on USB drives. In between, teachers can check in with them over the phone. Beattyville Mayor Scott Jackson remembers the fight more than a half-century ago to get clean, running water into the county. Now, he sees the internet as just as important, in order to help create jobs and encourage businesses to move into the empty storefronts on Beattyville’s main street.
In the spring, Ross’ children, ages 12, 13, and 15, had to connect their laptops to the mobile hot spot powered by data on his phone. It didn’t always work. That meant they often had to complete hard-copy packets without access to online materials. Regina Mays, executive secretary to Mayor Jackson, said she and her husband will keep their children at home for the entire upcoming semester — even if the school begins offering in-person classes. She plans on taking them into the office with her a few times a week, so they’ll have access to a stable internet connection. Her children didn’t get credit for some assignments last spring because of issues with their satellite internet connection.
When will these folks figure out that voting for Republicans because of the Three Gs only hurts them?
Pbs is free, everyone has a tv
Democrats don’t care about the country folk, all they care about is killing America and in the process give no hope to those who need it.
What?!?! Poor serf services in Mitch’s Imperial fiefdom? Say it isn’t so.............! Perhaps the people of AfMitchIstan can “throw spaghetti at the wall” and gain access to the interweb(s)...TurtleSaysNo
The very definition of being between a rock and a hard place...
Here's hoping the man pictured does not get the virus...
If you fall behind in Kentucky you really fall behind.
Thank you Mitch!
In the New Deal and post-war up to the Great Society, these services would have, like roads, electric lines, been provided by that villain Big Government!
If this pandemic has taught us anything, it's that internet should be a utility, you should have a right to it, and a massive infrastructure project should be put into place to run line throughout the country.
mitch mc connell doesnt want up and coming educated voters in KY.
It’s not a “tough” choice.. schools need to open fully and all teachers/kids in school. Teachers scared b/c they think they are vulnerable to get sick needs to take another job elsewhere & be replaced until a vaccine is available
McConnell’s state. Surprise, surprise.
THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED LONG AGO
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