Around the country, we're learning the stories of people who have died from COVID-19. It's important to share these stories as a recognition of the real human cost of this illness. It should be enough to cut through all the noise, but somehow it falls short. In doing so, it makes it that much more important to forge forward with these stories.
Many families are carefully navigating back-to-school season. In South Carolina, one bright, talented teacher had barely started the school year before the virus cut her life short. Demetria "Demi" Bannister was a third-grade teacher at Windsor Elementary School in Columbia, South Carolina. She became known as the school's songbird for her creative way of captivating students with music.
Demi returned to the school in late August to begin preparations for her classroom this year. Two weeks later, the 28-year-old died of complications due to COVID-19. She died just three days after testing positive for the virus.
Demetria "Demi" Bannister was just beginning her fifth year of teaching at Windsor Elementary School in Columbia, South Carolina. It was her third year of teaching third grade. Demi was getting herself prepped for the new school year on August 28, her last day at the school.
Demi was there for the last teacher workday before Richland School District Two kicked off classes virtually on August 31. Her students would only get to know her for a few days before tragedy struck. On September 4, Demi tested positive for COVID-19. Three days later, she died from complications resulting from the virus.
The school district got to work after being notified of Demi's positive test. They began contact tracing and notifying those who had come into contact with her. They also sanitized the school building despite the fact that the year would start online. Students are mandated to return to in-person learning in mid-September.
Richland School District Two was given permission to share Demi's story by her parents. They hope that the 28-year-old's sudden death will serve as a wake-up call to others. The district said Demi's family "wish to remind others about the seriousness of this disease caused by the coronavirus."
Demi's uncle, Heyward Bannister, spoke with BuzzFeed News about his niece's life and tragic death.
"I'm just hopeful that her death will be a reminder to the public that this coronavirus is mean, it's nasty, it does not discriminate, and that it's devastating," he said.
"It disrupts families' lives."
Heyward said that Demi was his favorite niece, "and I have many of them." He remembers her as a "spirited person" who felt a call to care for others early in life.
"She was a little bit of a prankster too … always getting my nieces and nephews in trouble," he recalled.
Demi considered a career in health care, but ultimately found teaching was the right fit for her.
"She had the temperament and the interest in elevating, cultivating, and molding young minds," he said.
There was no time that showed quite like last September, when Demi earned the nickname "Windsor's songbird" for writing a song to the tune of Old Town Road encouraging good attendance.
Demi's cousin, Shayla Jones, told BuzzFeed News that Demi felt teaching was her true calling.
"She was teaching before she even became a teacher," Shayla recalled.
"She was always the teacher and my cousins and I would be the students."
Shayla remembers how Demi saw the potential in each child and would "push them to be more than who they thought they were."
Demi's love of music showed both at her job and outside of work. She led the school's choir in performances and hosted a student club for aspiring singers to work on their craft. Demi would perform herself at family get-togethers and special occasions.
The last time many family members got to see her was on August 15. Demi helped organize a drive-by 90th birthday party for her grandmother. The event was special for the family, who needed the get-together as a morale boost in the midst of the quarantine. It was also important to Demi, who wanted to honor the woman who helped raise her.
Demi was often the person to try to get everyone interacting at family get-togethers. She had a way of connecting with family members young and old.
"She got a joy out of making other people happy," Heyward said.
Sadly, her family couldn't be with her when she died of coronavirus complications because of hospital restrictions.
"I feel bad that she was by herself," Shayla said. "No one could talk to her."
"There doesn't seem to be closure," Heyward added.
Both Heyward and Shayla think that schools reopening will only lead to more pain for families like theirs. They know that Demi was being very careful, following all regulations, and doing everything it took to keep herself and those close to her safe. They believe that if it happened to her, it could truly happen to anyone.
Both believe schools should wait on in-person learning until there's a better grip on testing and a vaccine is available.
"I would hope that people would see her death as a testament to how serious this is," Heyward said.
"And, regardless of your political position, that you see value in protecting yourself and others."
