Neoliberalism, COVID, anti-science, and the politics of school reopening

This paper explores the politicization of school reopenings in two swing states against backdrop rising COVID cases, public health warnings, and hyper-partisan weaponization “choice” rhetoric by parents to send children back into school. Rhetoric surrounding parental choice partnered with economic considerations placed significant pressure on boards navigate their reopening plans from a partisan frame reference. We explore, compare, contrast landscape Wisconsin Georgia, which both served as pivotal contentious 2020 Presidential election. Within each state we consider districts that are situated either more traditionally conservative or liberal environment. Our guiding questions are: (1) How is conversation about reflective politicized polarized approaches COVID? and, (2) discussions different politically communities?