the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
Mar 16, 2020
Several dozen confirmed cases of coronavirus have been reported in Illinois, so far all in the Chicago metro area. Schools, which bring together hundreds of young people, always serve as key points in disease transmission. And since custodial workers were cut by nearly half in 2014, Chicago Public Schools have been FILTHY—a fact highlighted by parents, teachers, the Teachers Union and custodial workers themselves.
With the coronavirus abroad in the community, parents and teachers see that it’s more important than ever to maintain school hygiene. Hand-soap dispensers need to stay full in restrooms; sanitizer and kleenex must be available in every classroom; table, floor and door surfaces need to be disinfected regularly. The school district has made ambiguous promises in this direction, but at the schools, students and staff have seen very little action—and few additional supplies or cleaning staff.
The schools have been disgustingly dirty in “normal” operations. Teachers, students, parents and administrators are right to DEMAND clean and safe conditions—RIGHT NOW!