LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Coronavirus cases continue to rise in many Kentucky counties. The Jefferson County Board of Educationhas be en debating how and when to return to physical classrooms.

The teachers union is not ready.

"If we want to return, we’re going to have to – as an entire city, as an entire state – buckle down and do what’s right," said Jefferson County Teachers Association (JCTA) board member Emilie Blanton. "That means wear your mask. It’s very simple, wear your mask. And I’m not sure why health became a politicized issue."

Blanton also teaches within the Jefferson County Public Schools(JCPS) system and has two children currently learning at home through non-traditional instruction (NTI). Some parents have petitioned superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio to open schools, saying they've had enough. Blanton says she, too, wishes to return to a physical classroom but, she says, Louisville educators need to see daily COVID-19 cases drop significantly in Jefferson County before they'll support a transition back.

"We are advocating that we want the healthiest, safest return possible; and the district is listening to us," she said.

"This entire school year will be impacted by this COVID-19," Pollio said in a Friday press conference. "We will not go back to anything normal this school year, whether that’s hybrid once we get back the rest of the way."

During a Tuesday briefing, Spectrum News 1 asked Dr. Sarah Moyer, Louisville's chief health strategist, if she endorsed transitioning back to traditional learning in-person. She said her answer was complicated, especially considering the district is responsible for more than 103,000 students.

"I think that it is possible for a big public school system to – if they can work through all the logistics – to start small cohorts and expand if they have success," she said.

According to the district's website, it employs 6,738 teachers. In previous interviews, union representatives and Pollio have said a majority of those teachers are in at-risk categories as they pertain to the virus.

At the end of our interview, Blanton voiced concern for others who are at risk.

"Are there fatalities from COVID in children? Yes. And they are disproportionately black and brown children," she said.

"And that’s who goes to our schools."