In 1965, Otis Redding released a song he wrote, titled “Respect.”   The record went nowhere.  In 1967, Aretha Franklin released her own version of that song, and it was a huge hit.

The hit version is all about a woman not getting any respect from her man.  It also popularized spelling a word to emphasize its importance, in this case R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Why do I bring this up now?  Because the word respect is, itself, not being respected these days.  So many of us with strong feelings about an issue want to demonize the other side.  That, in my view, is a total lack of respect.

Fishers and the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District, is preparing to make a big decision.  After beginning the school year virtually, the HSE board is faced with a very daunting decision – how long to continue virtual education and when do students return to the classrooms?

Mayor Scott Fadness and the leaders of his new city health department met in a work session with the HSE School Board Friday morning and the mayor told board members – “I shudder at the significant challenges that all of you have.”

The purpose of the meeting was to explain how the Fishers Health Department uses data in making recommendations to school officials on whether the novel coronavirus is at a level where it is safe to hold classes in person.  The bottom line message was that health officials review a large body of data, analyze it, and that leads to their recommendations to the schools.

When asked whether the health department would issue a legal order to the schools, Mayor Fadness made it clear that he wants to continue the 15-years of close cooperation between the municipal government and school system locally, and would never take such an action unless forced to do so and he does not foresee that happening.

The Fishers Health Department is led by two professionals in the field with stellar reputations – Dr. Indy Lane and Monica Heltz.  You can argue with the mayor as to whether creating a city health department was a good idea (I think it was, more on that later).  But do not question the expertise of those staffing this important city department.

I was saddened to know that Dr. Anthony Fauci, a man that has contributed so much to health in the United States and the world, needs a security detail because he and his family have received credible threats of violence.  He has been instrumental in developing therapies for previously fatal inflammatory ailments and diseases of the immune system.

It is a sad development that some Americans do not value the expertise of those with solid backgrounds to deal with a situation like novel coronavirus.  These experts are key to finding ways to deal with this virus.

On the local level, our city health department is staffed by experts.  They know what they are doing.  We must all respect that.

Our local HSE School Board has a very large decision to make.  It must take into account the recommendations of the Fishers Health Department, but as elected officials, will also listen to the public.

As someone doing local journalism for more than 8 years, I hear from plenty of people on this issue as well.  Let’s just say each side has little respect for the other.  I listen and read some nasty messages on this issue.

One side believes HSE Schools should have started the school year in-person, period.  The other side is concerned about the health of the students and staff, asking the board to consider the advice of the health department.

After listening to the work session held Friday, the health department essentially is saying school can be held in-person.  However, that in-person experience may be quite different than the pre-COVID version of in-person learning.

Schools will need to implement some very detailed mitigation strategies to all classes to resume in the buildings.  This will be most different for students in junior high and high school.

Based on what I have observed, our local community is very divided on this issue.  Generally, when the community is divided, the school board tends to also be divided.  I interviewed all the candidates on the board when they last stood for election (except Clint Wilson, who was appointed) and none of them had anything to say about managing a large school corporation in the middle of a pandemic.

The school administrators likely never had a class on dealing with a pandemic.  Everyone is learning as we go along.

In my view, Mayor Scott Fadness made the right call in creating a city health department.  When he looked around and found no testing program accessible last March, he wanted testing available to city residents and employers.  It appears to me that Fishers has more testing available than any other place in Indiana.  There has been a recent lag in receiving test results, but that is a national problem and city officials have worked hard to bring that lag time down.

Here is my message to the HSE Schools community at this time.  It is okay to have your own views, this is America and you are entitled to those views.  I ask two things.

First, show respect for those disagreeing with you.  After all, these are your neighbors.  They care about their children as much as you do.

Second, show respect for everyone, especially those with expertise.  Dr. Fauci has earned the right to be respected.  Those working in the Fishers Health Department have earned the right to be respected – they are experienced professionals.

The word respect has never been more important than at this time.  It was important when Otis Redding wrote the song in 1965 and when Aretha Franklin made it a hit in 1967.  Before we speak, before we write on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, let’s think about respect.