US teachers protest school reopenings as virus deaths pass 155,000

US teachers across the country have protested the reopening of schools while many states are witnessing the resurge of the coronavirus.

They rallied in more than 35 school districts, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Milwaukee and Philadelphia, calling for a safe, scientific, racially just and fully funded approach to reopening schools during the outbreak of COVID-19.

The teachers and support staff demanded that schools hold off until scientific data supports such a move, safety protocols such as lower class sizes and virus testing are established, and schools are staffed with adequate numbers of counselors and nurses, according to a website set up for the demonstrations.

They also demanded financial help for parents in need, including rent and mortgage assistance, a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures and cash assistance, Reuters said.

US President Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election in November, has made school reopenings in August and September part of his re-election campaign.

Trump is trailing in opinion polls against presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden ahead of the November election as the US continues to be ravaged by the coronavirus.

The protesting teachers said they want instruction conducted online until testing shows that classrooms are safe and districts hire more nurses and counselors.

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