Utah teachers 'nervous' about lack of PPE as schools reopen
- Aug. 18, 2020 01:32 PM EDT
Students walk into Liberty Elementary School during the first day of class Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Murray, Utah. Murray City School District opened its doors offering its 6,300 students a choice among in-person learning, hybrid instruction and distance learning. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Rick Bowmer
View All (2)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah lawmaker says some teachers in the state haven't received any personal protective equipment as students start returning to schools.

Democratic Sen. Kathleen Riebe, who is also a teacher, said her classroom hasn't received any of the necessary equipment during an education subcommittee hearing Monday, Fox 13 reported. Riebe, who represents Cottonwood Heights, said teachers in her district were “nervous” about the lack of supplies.

“I have not seen any of this equipment in our schools, and I’m receiving many emails and phone calls and social media displays that these things have not made it to our schools,” said Riebe, whose school district will reopen Aug. 24.

Sarah Young, the state Board of Education’s director of strategic initiatives, said the necessary PPE is in stock and that teachers in Riebe's district will receive it this week.

Education officials said they have purchased extra face coverings and other equipment, but an order for nearly 200,000 packages of disinfectant wipes likely won't be delivered to the state until Sept. 15. Each teacher is supposed to receive five packages of the wipes.