A Georgia student was suspended after sharing photos of her school’s inadequate coronavirus precautions. But now, after nationwide backlash over the photos and the student’s subsequent punishment, the suspension has been rescinded.
“This morning, my school called, and they have deleted my suspension,” Hannah Waters wrote on Twitter. “To everyone supporting me, I can’t thank you enough. If I’m not responding, it’s because my life has been somewhat crazy the past few days. Once again, thank you.”
Waters was one of two students suspended for sharing photos of the packed hallways at their respective schools.
“Day two at North Paulding High School,” Water wrote in her caption. “It is just as bad. WE were stopped because it was jammed. This is not ok. Not to mention the 10% mask rate.”
Once posted, the photos went viral, causing concern for parents and teachers alike. But, according to the school district’s superintendent, the photo was taken “out of context.”
“Hopefully, I can provide some of the missing context,” Dr. Otott said in his statement. “Under the COVID-19 protocols we have adopted, class changes that look like this may happen, especially at a high school with more than 2,000 students,” he said. “Class changes at the high school level are a challenge when maintaining a specific schedule…Students are in this hallway environment for just a brief period as they move to their next class.”
“Wearing a mask is a personal choice,” he continued,” adding that “there is no practical way to enforce a mandate to wear them.”
Despite the initial five day suspension, Waters felt it was important to share the photos, as she was concerned for the well-being of herself and her fellow classmates.
In fact, in an interview with CNN, she said she had no regrets. “I’d like to say this is some good and necessary trouble, so I don’t regret this because it needed to be said.”
