School bus driver shortages are affecting schools, students and families across the country – and have already forced schools in at least nine states to request assistance from the National Guard.
Among them is Maryland, where some schools in the largest district have been forced to return to distance learning, Errol Barnett reports for "CBS Saturday Morning." It has been more than two weeks since the district sent its SOS. He asked for 200 bus drivers, Montgomery County assistant chief administrative officer Earl Stoddard said.
"They are still keen to try and help us, but they are looking for resources to do it," he said.
Maryland's National Guard said in a statement to CBS News that it is supporting the state's health department with missions for COVID-19 testing, and other tasks, including "patient transportation" due to the current COVID-19 surge. is supporting.
For Melissa Ladd, a mother of two, No Guard means an inconsistent bus schedule that has kept her away from alternative tuition.
"I have not been able to assist the school district in times of great need and staffing shortages," she said.
"There's no certainty about what will happen."
As the mother of two teenagers, Yerania Benicio is faced with frustrating choices.
"We have to be on site to be able to do our jobs. And it's either that or we stay at home to take care of our kids," Benicio said.
As of Thursday, 16 Montgomery County public schools went virtual until at least the end of the month, as it sees record quarantine numbers of staff and students - whom officials admit are struggling.
Chris Cram, director of communications, said, "You know, the learning loss that we are now attributing to the earlier pandemic disruptions or the earlier pandemic virtual learning, is in many ways an important task for these students." Montgomery County Public School.