South DFW News

Dr. Eugene Allen, a Republican candidate for state representative, will be providing face shields in the hopes of helping with safety as schools ready to re-open.

"I will be providing face shields and information, such as, the idea behind why we wear face shields what does it protect and why is it necessary to wash your hands, when and why and how to live with this virus," Allen, who is running in District 109, said in an interview with South DFW News.

Allen said the goals needed to be flexible when it comes to the money allocated by the CARES Act to help with enhancing virtual learning.

"It is always a good idea to set a goal but let that goal be flexible and doable," Allen said. "We should get the numbers of all of Texas we are trying to service then we will know how much is needed for a specific time, do the math to get a program going and adjust accordingly."

Allen said he isn't sure if four weeks is a sufficient amount of time needed to make sure stands, teachers and other personnel are safe for reopening and resuming school in person.

"It is, in my opinion, that we should work with the four weeks while developing other measures, such as involving students in why this thing can be so bad and what we need them to do to help," Allen said.

The Texas Education Agency released public health planning guidance for the school year earlier this month. Suggestions include allowing any student who lacks a device or internet access at home to have access to in-person education, according to a news release.

The guidelines also note that a week prior to in-person instruction, school systems will need to provide a summary of their plan to keep students and staff safe.