NM has nothing to offer our kids but fear

I am one of the many New Mexicans living in fear. However, my fear is not of COVID. My husband and I are extremely disappointed (with) our charter school’s decision to continue with virtual learning for the rest of the school year. We joined its governing council meeting online and heard both sides of the issue. Still, it comes down to the matter of fear.

I understand that teachers are afraid to return to the classroom without vaccines. That is unfortunate, because this virus has an extremely high — 97% +, last I heard — percentage rate of survivability, and teens have a relatively low risk in particular. But I have a fear of my own. I fear that my son will go further down the road of substance abuse, both out of boredom, and to cope. I fear that suicide will be on our doorstep if things don’t improve. New Mexico has nothing to offer kids and families, with everything having been closed up for almost a year now. That is extremely excessive. There are no entertainment options. We can’t even go out to eat as a pleasure, unless we want to sit outside, which my husband and I did in 39 degree weather Saturday night just because we desperately needed it.

If we’re going to operate our state and continue to live in fear because of a virus, we’re going to lose our kids. My son is one of the ones foundering with virtual learning due to lack of engagement, and we have tried everything we possibly could for him, including spending a small fortune in the past year on wilderness therapy and boarding school. But our options are quickly running out.

Suicide and accidental overdoses are permanent. That is my fear, not this virus. I implore our governor to open New Mexico now . ... DEBBIE OWEN

Albuquerque

Due to the winter storm in New Mexico that moved up deadlines, race results will be in Tuesday’s edition.