Access to remote learning, telemedicine during extreme weather events ending for millions

WASHINGTON – A federal program designed to provide internet access to low-income households is set to run out of funding during May, meaning millions of people could have to adapt to life without having online access.

The Affordable Connectivity Program began during the pandemic and provides more than 23 million households with subsidies destined to support broadband access for jobs, education, healthcare and other vital needs of society.

The Federal Communications Commission reports the program started with $14.2 billion, but that funding is expected to be completely exhausted by mid-May, according to representatives of the United States Telecom Association.

“It does not bode well for so many of our most needy citizens and their kids,” said Jonathan Spalter, president and CEO of USTelecom.

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During the age of widespread internet availability, school districts, medical professionals and others have turned to virtual alternatives during threats of extreme weather – an option that may not be viable once funding runs out for millions of Americans.

Virtual learning days and the use of telemedicine have resulted in operations continuing at institutions during threats of weather without forcing children or the vulnerable into elements that often can be dangerous.

Before the pandemic, organizations and institutions would simply close during what were often dubbed ‘snow days’ in the North and ‘hurricane days’ in the South, but the full cancelation of hours led to the loss of productivity.

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New York City Public Schools resorted to online learning in February ahead of the threat of the heaviest snowfall in two years, and the risk of an early-season tornado outbreak across the South in January caused some school districts from the Carolinas to Florida to implement online learning instead of possibly exposing children to the weather.

According to a survey conducted by the EdWeek Research Center in 2020, 39% of school district leaders across the country use virtual learning in place of weather cancelations and another 32% of school districts have contemplated on making a policy change towards the virtual option.

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With the potential of fewer households having sufficient internet access due to ACP funding, it raises concerns on whether institutions will be able to resort to virtual workarounds, a matter that USTelecom leaders said they’ve heard.

“We’ve heard from hundreds of groups, rural groups, public housing authorities, AARP…School groups and community groups are writing their members of Congress saying this is an indispensable program,” Spalter stated.

According to a survey conducted by the EdWeek Research Center in 2020, 39% of school district leaders across the country use virtual learning in place of weather cancelations and another 32% of school districts have contemplated on making a policy change towards the virtual option.

With the potential of fewer households having sufficient internet access due to ACP funding, it raises concerns on whether institutions will be able to resort to virtual workarounds, a matter that USTelecom leaders said they’ve heard.

“We’ve heard from hundreds of groups, rural groups, public housing authorities, AARP…School groups and community groups are writing their members of Congress saying this is an indispensable program,” Spalter stated.

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