The Antisocial Socialist

I had promised to chronicle the death of every education worker in Ontario who died because of the deliberate political decision by our government to keep schools open during a pandemic.

Vic Thunderchild was in Saskatchewan, not Ontario, but I'd be remiss in not mentioning him. He died yesterday after a two week battle with covid, which he likely contracted at school.

Saskatchewan, like Ontario, is led by a far-right government that benefits from prolonging the pandemic as much as it can. Its Premier Scott Moe killed a woman while driving drunk. He has also been hostile to Indigenous sovereignty, pro-suicide for Indigenous youth, and in favour of ending all human life on earth by maximizing climate change.

I mention this because of the stark contrast between the lives of Vic Thunderchild and the scumbag directly responsible for his death. Vic was a beloved educator and a role model for Indigenous youth. He taught at the same school for 29 years, promoted Indigenous culture and teachings in the curriculum, and led the initiative to develop Cree language education in Saskatchewan schools. From everything I hear, he was a fantastic human being.

He died as a result of reckless disregard for the lives of workers, and particularly for the lives of Indigenous, Black, and other racialized workers.

His last tweet:

Thank you @PremierScottMoe for not thinking we’re essential workers, as I sit in the @PAHealthDept Vic hospital recovering from Covid-19. Get my fellow teachers vaccinated, before this happens to anyone else.

— vic65tc (@VicThunderchild) April 5, 2021

Don't forget, don't look away, and always remember that this was a choice.

I will be chronicling the deaths of every education worker and student in Toronto who dies as a result of the Ford Regime's murderous decision to reopen schools in the middle of a pandemic. This will continue until the numbers grow too great for me to keep track of, the pandemic ends, or I die.



Death toll: 1

What we know so far: The victim was a Child and Youth Worker, employed at St. Frances De Sales Catholic School (Toronto Catholic District School Board), in Jane and Finch, one of the poorest and hardest-hit corners of Toronto. CYWs work with some of the most vulnerable students and make an average of $42,023 per year. Her name has been withheld.

Excuses given in the media: The victim was 67 years old and had underlying health conditions. Although there is also a student in the school who tested positive for covid-19, they are claiming that she contracted the illness through community transmission.

Quote: "We have consulted with the Chief Medical Officer of Health as well as the Public Health Measures Table and have determined that an extended winter holiday is not necessary at this time, given Ontario’s strong safety protocols, low levels of transmission and safety within our schools." — Stephen "Goatfucker" Lecce

Don't forget, don't look away, and always remember that this was a choice.