COVID-19 Testing through the 2021-22 School year

My name is Sean Claes. 

I am a high school teacher in Texas.

I teach at a district that required masks for the 2021-22 school year.

Beginning in August 2021, I decided I would take a COVID-19 test each week and write about it.

This is much more than a weekly test, it's something to help me cope with the things I see and experience as being in the world surrounded by the pandemic. 

It is a diary. 

It is a mission.

It is a historical document.

It is a first-person report from my perspective of what I see, experience and have loved ones experience dealing with COVID-19 on a daily basis.

My blog is called "Love Moves First"

I believe if one leads with love, they are moving forward with the intent to help not harm.

This is where I'll keep the links to the different weeks.

My Journey:

Week 1 - link
Week 2 - link
Week 3 - link

Week 4 - link

Week 5 - link

Week 6 - link

Week 7 - link

Week 8 - link

Week 9 - link

Week 10 - link

Week 11 - link

Week 12 - link

Week 13 - link

Week 14 - link

Week 15- link

Week 16 - link

Week 17 - link

Week 18 - link

Week 19 - link

Week 20 - link Week 21 - link

Week 22 - link

Week 23 - link

Week 24 - link

Week 25 - link  

Week 26 - link

Week 27 and 28 - link

Week 29 - link

Week 30 - Missed

Week 31 - link

Week 32 - link

Week 33 and 34 - link

Week 35 and 36 - link

Week 37 - link

Week 37. 35th COVID-19 Test

 Week 37 of school

35th COVID-19 test. 

Down to the last week of school. It’s been a journey.

About half the student population and staff is still masking while indoors. I’m averaging 1 student out of about 150 in my classes being out with COVID-19 each week. 

The Community Level (from the CDC) is low this past week for both Travis County (2266 new cases) and Hays County (325 new cases).

I was talking to a coworker who went to a movie last weekend and as they walked out of the theatre (wearing their mask) someone said to them “Haven’t you ladies heard? COVID is over.”

There are 4 people in ICU in Travis County right now that would disagree with that I’ll-informed statement. 

 There is a family grieving a loved one who died from COVID-19 last week in Hays County. 

It’s not over. 

I work in an environment where me wearing a mask is to protect those around me. I have the ability to take precautions in order to limit the chances of being infected myself and/or infecting others and for my loved ones, my students and coworkers and their loved ones I will continue to take that step. 

And… I’m going to continue wearing a mask indoors and while in large crowds where I don’t feel I can properly distance.

I won’t consider removing my mask in the classroom until every one of the students who enter the class feel comfortable to be without a mask. I will be the last to unmask. 

Yeah, I’m making a statement.

I love you. 

I will do all I can to assure I cause you no harm.

#LoveMovesFirst

Week 35-36 of school (33 and 34th COVID-19 test)

 The United States is nearing 1 million people who have died from COVID-19.

For every 100,000 residents, 303 people have died from COVID-19, according to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center. 

1/3 of those deaths are of people who got sick and passed away AFTER the vaccine was available and they were not vaccinated. That means many those deaths were likely preventable if people would not have politicized taking preventative measures... and those who weren't able to take the vaccine because of medical reasons could have had a much greater chance at being here today.

I tested last week and the week before. 

Week 35-36 of school.

My 33 and 34th COVID-19 Test.

I was negative both times.

I continue to mask.

My family and I are now one of the last in the room masking.

I continue masking in crowds.

There have been 3,015 cases in Travis County in the last 2 weeks.

There have been 414 cases in Hays County.

I wear a mask so if I come into contact with someone who is sick, I don't carry it on to my loved ones, you or your loved ones.

I do it because I love you.

#lovemovesfirst

2 more weeks of school left. I will wrap up my "COVID-19 testing through the school year" weekly posts. Thank you for reading these. I hope they have informed, educated and perhaps helped you feel seen and heard.

Global United Methodist Church Launches

GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH LAUNCHED MAY 1, 2022

By Sean Claes

Today launched the “Global Methodist Church.”

I am saddened and pray for those who feel the need to leave a United Methodist Church because of the church’s discussion about the love, acceptance and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community… 

Those who are unwilling to be fully accepting and affirming (or at least open to the conversation) are the folks who removed the “United” from their name and added “Global.”

I pray those who have a place at the table for the next gathering of the United Methodist church make the Christian decision and fully affirm and accept LGBTQIA+ people who wish to marry the person they love and/or are called by God to serve the church. 

I pray for those who have left Christianity and/or organized religion because of individuals who hate in the name of God. 

I pray for those who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community. I pray they know that they are loved by Christians who lead by love. they are fully accepted by those who follow Jesus’ example. 

I look forward to a fully accepting, affirming and loving United Methodist Church. I pray this can be a reality. Then the Church can fully live up to their slogan: Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors. 

Anything less is incompatible with Christian teaching.

Love moves first.

#LoveMovesFirst