The UFT may be talking about not going back publicly, but internally, they don't want this. They want schools running like normal, because this hurts the bottom line for public schools. NY is already set to lose money and representation due to pending Census figures, and families shifting to private schools or de-enrolling from public school to homeschool on their own is going to hurt. They obviously want to do it safely (and they have, so far - little kids are in hybrid or even 5-day on-site learning if space allows, but middle and high schools are still virtual because we know older kids transmit as much as adults do). And they are realllllllly keen on teachers getting vaccinated (they want my husband and any other teachers to post on social media that they got vaccinated to help promote it). We already have mandatory vaccinations for students, and I'm sure the covid vaccine will be mandatory for students when we know it's safe for kids. But I cannot understand why some unions want all teachers AND students to be vaccinated before returning to the classroom. I mean, I do understand that because I'd love that too but I just don't think we (collective "we") have the appetite for losing more than 1.3 school years of on-site learning to the virus. What I would mostly prefer is mandatory vaccinations for all school staff, but I know that's not going to happen. At the very least, hybrid should be on the table for schools that are still 100% virtual. DD1 is in hybrid and logistically it's annoying, but she's so much happier going into the school building and I can tell she's learning a lot more in the building.
I think we'll be in hybrid in the fall or will go back with 2 options -- in person and virtual and we'll see A LOT of families pick virtual. I think the city as a whole is well over 50% in full virtual now and I think next fall we'd still see a lot of families pick it as an option. There is a lot of fear and lack of trust right now.
Vaccine refusal and supply limits are a major concern which is why I think we're talking about this now. The reality of it all is sinking in. In September vaccines were all just theory. It isn't helping that a third vaccines hasn't yet been approved. I think it astrazeneca was in the mix as well folks would feel better.
If say 60% of the adults in a building and none of the kids have vaccination it is going to be a real hard to prevent outbreaks and this is going to be a factor in say keeping middle and high schools more restricted since old kids are seen as pretty effective as spreading the illness and don't have the same childcare needs as younger kids. My kid is home and I can say she is learning content AND doesn't need extensive childcare. While I really want her back to school part time for social and emotional reasons the schools aren't wrong in thinking that what they are doing now can work for older children who are neurotypical and have reliable internet. I could see a phasing in of kids based on need that would mean *we'd still be in a fair amount of virtual next fall. (*By we I mean families like mine with older kids who don't need services and don't have pressing social-economic concerns that would be best addressed with in person instruction/support)
If viral rates really drop over the summer these issues will be less of a concern. Even an imperfect vaccine roll out would mean a much better fall if we can get down to a level like last summer in in NYC. The article I posted last week noted that schools are much more able to prevent transmission when rates are low. Once they are high like they are now the measures schools can take have lower effectiveness.
Right now, many schools are operating with zero percent (of anyone) vaccinated and have still prevented outbreaks with the use of masking and distancing precautions.
I do agree that a virtual choice should remain, but I look forward to the day that this doesn't mean I have to literally teach two classes simultaneously. They have assured me that this won't be the case in the fall at my school, but if they are lying I may simply peace out. That has been the worst part of teaching in the pandemic, for me.
If say 60% of the adults in a building and none of the kids have vaccination it is going to be a real hard to prevent outbreaks and this is going to be a factor in say keeping middle and high schools more restricted since old kids are seen as pretty effective as spreading the illness and don't have the same childcare needs as younger kids. My kid is home and I can say she is learning content AND doesn't need extensive childcare. While I really want her back to school part time for social and emotional reasons the schools aren't wrong in thinking that what they are doing now can work for older children who are neurotypical and have reliable internet. I could see a phasing in of kids based on need that would mean *we'd still be in a fair amount of virtual next fall. (*By we I mean families like mine with older kids who don't need services and don't have pressing social-economic concerns that would be best addressed with in person instruction/support)
Right now, many schools are operating with zero percent (of anyone) vaccinated and have still prevented outbreaks with the use of masking and distancing precautions.
I do agree that a virtual choice should remain, but I look forward to the day that this doesn't mean I have to literally teach two classes simultaneously. They have assured me that this won't be the case in the fall at my school, but if they are lying I may simply peace out. That has been the worst part of teaching in the pandemic, for me.
Yes I know there is a wide variation in how schools operating. This was mostly about NYC schools since the person I was quoting is also from NYC. IN public schools only elementary is open and only with a high amount of restrictions (like 11 students per class, lunch is classrooms vs lunchroom). Given that is where we are I wonder if we're getting more the same come fall. I had hoped middle schools would open for hybrid in spring but recent posts from the union head make me doubt that.
Looks like Las Vegas schools feels pushed to open schools after increasing death by suicide among school students Although data on reasons for suicide is hard to always exactly pin the reason, experts do believe isolation due to the pandemic could be driving the increase.
Also, an interesting point in regards to technology - 1 dad was alerted to his son thinking about suicide after he googled how to make a noose. Heart breaking stories in the article.
I hope that there's answers soon to keep everyone safe both physically and mentally from mental health issues and covid itself. In another thread on ML or MM some people were saying teachers are really pushing back about restarting school and they don't think it'll happen in the fall. I wonder if that'll change at all based on mental health concerns.
For this to happen, people will have to go back to acknowledging that there are other harms happening besides Covid-related illness and death. And how do we best balance risks/harms/benefits, especially once our most vulnerable populations (older people and high-exposure people) are vaccinated.
Oops sorry! I'm usually so good at reading the whole thread before posting. I saw your article, but for some reason it didn't register it was the same one.
I anticipate most major cities and areas will go back full time. What that looks like, I'm not sure, but I would be shocked if that doesn't happen.
Even though some people are saying vaccines and masks won't be enough, because many classrooms will still be overcrowded?
Cause lately, I see a lot of pushing for hybrid this fall, and possibly sticking with all distance for high school. Even assuming all teachers are vaccinated and masking is enforced.
Yes, I think, ultimately, the need for students to go back will outweigh all the other things.
I honestly don’t know a single teacher who wants to do this one second longer. I have to imagine that we’ll be back full time in the fall- I cannot imagine having multiple vaccines out and available for 9 months won’t have a significant effect on case numbers. And once cases are down and teachers are vaccinated there’s no reason why we can’t go back.
I have to wonder at what point do we stop wearing masks? Zero community spread? When we have the vaccine for children? I don’t care about masking, I’ve been masked every time I’ve left the house since April and it doesn’t bother me, I just don’t know when we get ok with saying “we’re done”.
I think we'll be in hybrid in the fall or will go back with 2 options -- in person and virtual and we'll see A LOT of families pick virtual. I think the city as a whole is well over 50% in full virtual now and I think next fall we'd still see a lot of families pick it as an option. There is a lot of fear and lack of trust right now.
Vaccine refusal and supply limits are a major concern which is why I think we're talking about this now. The reality of it all is sinking in. In September vaccines were all just theory. It isn't helping that a third vaccines hasn't yet been approved. I think it astrazeneca was in the mix as well folks would feel better.
If say 60% of the adults in a building and none of the kids have vaccination it is going to be a real hard to prevent outbreaks and this is going to be a factor in say keeping middle and high schools more restricted since old kids are seen as pretty effective as spreading the illness and don't have the same childcare needs as younger kids. My kid is home and I can say she is learning content AND doesn't need extensive childcare. While I really want her back to school part time for social and emotional reasons the schools aren't wrong in thinking that what they are doing now can work for older children who are neurotypical and have reliable internet. I could see a phasing in of kids based on need that would mean *we'd still be in a fair amount of virtual next fall. (*By we I mean families like mine with older kids who don't need services and don't have pressing social-economic concerns that would be best addressed with in person instruction/support)
If viral rates really drop over the summer these issues will be less of a concern. Even an imperfect vaccine roll out would mean a much better fall if we can get down to a level like last summer in in NYC. The article I posted last week noted that schools are much more able to prevent transmission when rates are low. Once they are high like they are now the measures schools can take have lower effectiveness.
Right now, many schools are operating with zero percent (of anyone) vaccinated and have still prevented outbreaks with the use of masking and distancing precautions.
I do agree that a virtual choice should remain, but I look forward to the day that this doesn't mean I have to literally teach two classes simultaneously. They have assured me that this won't be the case in the fall at my school, but if they are lying I may simply peace out. That has been the worst part of teaching in the pandemic, for me.
Yup. I've told my boss already that I'm not doing this next year. I will teach in person, or I will teach remotely, but I will not do another year of both. He agreed and is pushing for the remote program (which I assume we will still have since kids won't be vaccinated) to be taught as a separate entity.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
I honestly don’t know a single teacher who wants to do this one second longer. I have to imagine that we’ll be back full time in the fall- I cannot imagine having multiple vaccines out and available for 9 months won’t have a significant effect on case numbers. And once cases are down and teachers are vaccinated there’s no reason why we can’t go back.
I have to wonder at what point do we stop wearing masks? Zero community spread? When we have the vaccine for children? I don’t care about masking, I’ve been masked every time I’ve left the house since April and it doesn’t bother me, I just don’t know when we get ok with saying “we’re done”.
I feel like once the vaccine is widely available to everyone, including children, and everyone who wants it has been able to get it that it would be hard to continue enforcing mask mandates, unless spread is still exceptionally high.
I will keep on saying, give me a vaccine, make sure there is room for distancing and required masking, and I'll go back full time, HAPPILY. The VAST majority of teachers feel this way.
Now...cram 35 of them in my room with no additional PPE, no changes to ventilation or air, and no vaccine? Yeah, I'll pass.
eta: I would also like to keep screaming that this pandemic has taught us that schools absolutely CANNOT continue to be expected to be the savior of all children in all ways. Can we just get some other social safety nets and programs in place so this kind of shit doesn't keep happening?!?!
also, there seems to be *very* little talk about the mental health of school staff/adults in general, which worries me. I know I'm being pushed to the very edge most days. Luckily, I know how to manage that, but only because of years of therapy. I'm just as concerned for teachers right now.
Mental health of teachers absolutely needs to be addressed. They cannot be asked to do 3 full time jobs next year.
Also 35 kids?! That is insane Covid or not. I know it happens but schools desperately need more funding so it doesn’t have to. DD has never had more than 18 kids in her class. She’s only in elementary though and I know that will change.
We regularly have 30-35 high school students in a class. And high school students are adult bodies...they spread disease like adults. I think the conversations really do need to be different for different levels of school. Funding is only going to get worse, which means class sizes will continue to grow.
Schools have been asked to do too much with too little funding. I don't disagree.
But what is the replacement for socialization and peer interaction for kids ages 5-18? Because it's primarily the isolation from their peers that is causing rates of child depression and suicide to have spiked dramatically.
If not school, where are they going to get that? All of the access to better funded/non-school-provided therapy/doctors/mental health services in the world isn't going to change the underlying problem of isolation.
ETA: In other words, why are so many people who are noting the excessive demands placed on schools ("more mental health support/safety nets are needed!") also unwilling to acknowledge that school closures are drastically increasing the need for the very mental health services that are so lacking in this country?
Are you talking about me in your edit? I understand perfectly well what is happening and am not saying schools can't provide these things, just that they can't be the only option for them.
As for socialization? I can only speak to my kid, who we have bubbled with our neighbors so they can all play together ang not be completely isolated.
We regularly have 30-35 high school students in a class. And high school students are adult bodies...they spread disease like adults. I think the conversations really do need to be different for different levels of school. Funding is only going to get worse, which means class sizes will continue to grow.
But if all teachers/elderly/high-risk adults are vaccinated by fall, and masks are mandated in schools on top of that, the concern-level is no longer the same. It's not zero risk, but nothing is.
The risks/harms have shifted. So it shouldn't be the same conversation.
The conversation is the same as last week, the kids won't be vaccinated and that poses the greatest risk, both to themselves and even those that have been vaccinated.
Right now some vaccines are OK for age 16 and up, so those students age 16- college could be vaccinated in the fall.
They may also include lower age groups 12-17 by fall, but I wouldn't know if that is doable yet or not at this point. That might be the conversation for the summer to get the tweens and teenagers vaccinated.
I honestly don’t know a single teacher who wants to do this one second longer. I have to imagine that we’ll be back full time in the fall- I cannot imagine having multiple vaccines out and available for 9 months won’t have a significant effect on case numbers. And once cases are down and teachers are vaccinated there’s no reason why we can’t go back.
I have to wonder at what point do we stop wearing masks? Zero community spread? When we have the vaccine for children? I don’t care about masking, I’ve been masked every time I’ve left the house since April and it doesn’t bother me, I just don’t know when we get ok with saying “we’re done”.
I feel like once the vaccine is widely available to everyone, including children, and everyone who wants it has been able to get it that it would be hard to continue enforcing mask mandates, unless spread is still exceptionally high.
Yeah, virtually all of the people willing to wear masks will be vaccinated by then, and I would be shocked if we don't have data by then showing that the vaccine is also very effective at stopping transmission (every other vaccine is, right?)... and, well, we don't exactly have mask enforcement now most places...
I honestly don’t know a single teacher who wants to do this one second longer. I have to imagine that we’ll be back full time in the fall- I cannot imagine having multiple vaccines out and available for 9 months won’t have a significant effect on case numbers. And once cases are down and teachers are vaccinated there’s no reason why we can’t go back.
I have to wonder at what point do we stop wearing masks? Zero community spread? When we have the vaccine for children? I don’t care about masking, I’ve been masked every time I’ve left the house since April and it doesn’t bother me, I just don’t know when we get ok with saying “we’re done”.
Mask wearing in dense indoor actives is likely going to last in some form for a long while. Well into 2021 I think. Schools, mass transit, indoor sports should use masks for a long time if we want to keep those who cannot/have not received the vaccine from getting ill. That would be pretty much everyone under 16, folks who have a medical counterindication to the vaccine and folks who won't get it or cannot get it because of supply issues.
Will you need to wear a mask a playground in 2022? Maybe not. We mask pretty much anytime we're out of the house but I imagine that with evolve into selective masking where the risks are higher.
Are you talking about me in your edit? I understand perfectly well what is happening and am not saying schools can't provide these things, just that they can't be the only option for them.
As for socialization? I can only speak to my kid, who we have bubbled with our neighbors so they can all play together ang not be completely isolated.
Bubbles are not a universal solution for many reasons.
We cannot bubble because I have one kid in person school. The school is far away and so I haven't formed a bubble with those families given that they are all over the city. My older kid is in full virtual but is continuously exposed through her younger sibling preventing us from bubbling with her friends and their families.
We see people outdoors in masks. Given the weather socialization is very challenging.
If we're in full virtual next year for my oldest I do think finding out ways to have some sort of optional afterschool program in the school yard would be fantastic. My kid is fundamentally fine but I would love for her to have more time with her peers.
We regularly have 30-35 high school students in a class. And high school students are adult bodies...they spread disease like adults. I think the conversations really do need to be different for different levels of school. Funding is only going to get worse, which means class sizes will continue to grow.
But if all teachers/elderly/high-risk adults are vaccinated by fall, and masks are mandated in schools on top of that, the concern-level is no longer the same. It's not zero risk, but nothing is.
The risks/harms have shifted. So it shouldn't be the same conversation.
Man, I wish you'd quit trying to argue when I'm just stating facts as they relate to the discussion. There is no but needed here. I'm not arguing to keep schools closed, just opened as safely as possible, with a combination of vaccinated adults, small enough classes to keep distance, and masks.
If that could be the core of the re-opening conversation, you might find more teachers on board, instead of 'THINK OF THE CHILDREN, JUST THROW IT OPEN NOW!"
Schools have been asked to do too much with too little funding. I don't disagree.
But what is the replacement for socialization and peer interaction for kids ages 5-18? Because it's primarily the isolation from their peers that is causing rates of child depression and suicide to have spiked dramatically.
If not school, where are they going to get that? All of the access to better funded/non-school-provided therapy/doctors/mental health services in the world isn't going to change the underlying problem of isolation.
ETA: In other words, why are so many people who are noting the excessive demands placed on schools ("more mental health support/safety nets are needed!") also unwilling to acknowledge that school closures are drastically increasing the need for the very mental health services that are so lacking in this country?
I hate to be theannoying one here, but...
You state a causal relationship where we only have correlation data at present. Even the article about Vegas states it cannot demonstrate direct causality.
While it can certainly be true that student isolation is causing mental health issues, school being online isn't the only thing that has upended in this weird, scary world.
There are huge additional stresses for everyone. Vegas has been particularly hard hit economically during covid because so very much of its economy is tourist, travel, convention, and services based. And you, kids pick up on it when the adults around them are stressed, or doing things out of the norm.
I read that children catch Covid at the same rate as adults but they’re much more likely to be asymptomatic, so spread has been under counted in some cases because without symptoms they’re not tested
I also wonder if some of the undercounting is exacerbated by non-compliant parents. The FB group for my district is full of parents talking about how it’s none of the district’s business if their children get COVID, that they won’t test their kids for it if they have symptoms or are exposed, they won’t report any symptoms, they just will keep their kids home long enough for obvious symptoms to go away (and that’s assuming they have any symptoms at all). The superintendent sends frequent reminders about following their COVID policies and says that the above behavior won’t be tolerated, but it doesn’t seem like that changes anyone’s mind. I’d be very concerned that if schools have enough of a population of parents like that, outbreaks at school could be hard to detect.
I've seen a lot of this as well. It's infuriating.
I honestly don’t know a single teacher who wants to do this one second longer. I have to imagine that we’ll be back full time in the fall- I cannot imagine having multiple vaccines out and available for 9 months won’t have a significant effect on case numbers. And once cases are down and teachers are vaccinated there’s no reason why we can’t go back.
I have to wonder at what point do we stop wearing masks? Zero community spread? When we have the vaccine for children? I don’t care about masking, I’ve been masked every time I’ve left the house since April and it doesn’t bother me, I just don’t know when we get ok with saying “we’re done”.
I think masks will be here to stay unless it’s eradicated, which doesn’t seem possible.
I guess then my question becomes- why for this? If there’s a vaccine and counts are down, at what point do we actually treat it like the flu and continue on with our lives? I’m not saying that’s what we should do, I just can’t imagine anyone continuing masking once the spread and death rate are down. Statistically I have to assume it will wind up like the flu, right?
I’m hoping masking during flu season on public transportation and grocery stores stays, but I can’t picture people going to a baseball game or club in 2022 in masks.
You state a causal relationship where we only have correlation data at present. Even the article about Vegas states it cannot demonstrate direct causality.
While it can certainly be true that student isolation is causing mental health issues, school being online isn't the only thing that has upended in this weird, scary world.
There are huge additional stresses for everyone. Vegas has been particularly hard hit economically during covid because so very much of its economy is tourist, travel, convention, and services based. And you, kids pick up on it when the adults around them are stressed, or doing things out of the norm.
And I acknowledged that when I bolded/quoted that part of the article in my second post on this thread.
Although this is far from the only correlative data we have on this point.
ETA: I understand the term "causing" in the post you quoted is problematic. I do understand correlation vs. causation. But there is no denying the increased spike in reported depression amongst kids/teens as it relates to their isolation.
It was the causing term, yup. That whole cause vs. correlation is one of those things from some science lesson that apparently planted really firmly in my brain... That, and the focus on just school.
Kids are isolated from everything right now. School, friends, hobbies, extended family, therapy, community art, etc... and kids are sponges that pick up on things.
I will certainly say that having kids in school may alleviate some of the isolation. But it isn't the entirety of what has changed for them in Covid, and I really hesitate to say that getting kids back in school will resolve the mental health issues kids are having.
School may, at least, help provide additional resources for kids that do need help, and school provides additional eyeballs seeing kids that might spot something awry to get help for a kid sooner. So I can see an argument being made for some in person school due to these things alone.
Obviously it’s just too early to say send kids all back now or create a blanket plan. People are getting caught up in what about scenarios. We just aren’t there yet. In many states teachers are not able to be vaccinated yet and it may be some time before they can all receive it. I read an article that 2 teachers in Cobb County GA died on the same day this month and a third has died this week so in the month of January the district has lost 3 teachers. Looking at their photos they did not appear to be “frail” or “elderly.” And that is part of the problem... every life is important we are not all going to fit into some stereotype of who gets sick. Saying we need to send children back now before teachers have been given the chance to be vaccinated is asking them to sacrifice their lives. Yes, not everyone will die, but due to the unpredictable nature of this and how it impacts certain immune systems, yes they could.
So far, because of Trump we don’t have the data and widespread testing we need for the school population. Biden will likely get us that information soon, but we don’t have it now so the argument is moot. Many schools are in person now and every state and district seems to have their own protocol on building safety. There might be huge discrepancies between well funded and underfunded districts as well as political decisions impacting safety precautions.
The reality is the Biden administration is dealing with issues now that should have been addressed systematically much earlier on. Some areas will reach vaccination thresholds sooner or have safer buildings/better air quality, etc. so it is reasonable to think not every school or area will be able to move at the same pace. We can’t be making blanket statements about who should be doing what until we actually get to the point where we have that data about what is happening in local schools and when those teachers/staff are able to be vaccinated.
Yes children and their mental health needs are important too but we have to follow the science on this.
Post by SusanBAnthony on Jan 25, 2021 17:06:17 GMT -5
I'm guessing masks will go away because as it is passed around (assuming it's never fully eradicated) it seems likely that kids will be exposed while young, not get sick, eventually get vaccinated, and there won't be serious cases much.
That all assumes no terrible long term side effects that we haven't yet discovered.
Americans have nothing if not short memories and a good half of Americans never wanted to wear a mask in the first place.
Post by breezy8407 on Jan 25, 2021 17:11:48 GMT -5
I'm sorry for those who have struggling kids, too.
TW last week DS broke down in tears because he said he didn't want mom and dad to get Covid and die. He's 8. He gets really down at bedtime because he hates school. I'm worried about him and its been yet another thing on my mothering failures list. We don't have a bubble or kids they see except for a few outdoor play dates since they were sent to full distance learning in mid-November. They go back next week 2/1. I am hoping it will help him, but I can tell he has anxiety about catching Covid, or having one of us catch it. All I can tell him is that we are doing everything right, but doing things right is never easy.
After reading the post about extra masks in last weeks thread, I am nervous all over again for them and H, who also has to go back to teaching in a few weeks. I ordered some KN95's a while back, but generally we've just been using the Old Navy cloth masks.
Obviously it’s just too early to say send kids all back now or create a blanket plan. People are getting caught up in what about scenarios. We just aren’t there yet. In many states teachers are not able to be vaccinated yet and it may be some time before they can all receive it. I read an article that 2 teachers in Cobb County GA died on the same day this month and a third has died this week so in the month of January the district has lost 3 teachers. Looking at their photos they did not appear to be “frail” or “elderly.” And that is part of the problem... every life is important we are not all going to fit into some stereotype of who gets sick. Saying we need to send children back now before teachers have been given the chance to be vaccinated is asking them to sacrifice their lives. Yes, not everyone will die, but due to the unpredictable nature of this and how it impacts certain immune systems, yes they could.
So far, because of Trump we don’t have the data and widespread testing we need for the school population. Biden will likely get us that information soon, but we don’t have it now so the argument is moot. Many schools are in person now and every state and district seems to have their own protocol on building safety. There might be huge discrepancies between well funded and underfunded districts as well as political decisions impacting safety precautions.
The reality is the Biden administration is dealing with issues now that should have been addressed systematically much earlier on. Some areas will reach vaccination thresholds sooner or have safer buildings/better air quality, etc. so it is reasonable to think not every school or area will be able to move at the same pace. We can’t be making blanket statements about who should be doing what until we actually get to the point where we have that data about what is happening in local schools and when those teachers/staff are able to be vaccinated.
Yes children and their mental health needs are important too but we have to follow the science on this.
I literally don't think a single person on these boards is saying this. Or if they have, I've missed it. (I know some people in general are).
The discussion, at least in this thread, is what we should/can do after all teachers have been vaccinated or have been offered the chance the vaccine by this fall, but before all kids have.
I agree. I don't think anyone is talking about opening before teachers get vaccinated. I think the question is, once they are vaccinated, will teachers feel safe enough and will the unions commit to a reopening plan before 2022 or whenever all kids can be vaccinated. (I live in CA where kids are already required to be vaccinated to enroll in public school so they could theoretically require a covid vaccine to return to in person public school).
Post by breezy8407 on Jan 25, 2021 17:28:11 GMT -5
I know someone brought up this point last week - teachers opting out of being vaccinated. And as a parent, you will have no way of knowing if your child's teacher or school staff has or hasn't been vaccinated. I know the flu shot is required in health care settings, so is it going to happen with covid in schools? My mom is in patient facing healthcare, and most of her coworkers are not getting the vaccine.
Disclaimer: My H is a HS teacher and will be getting it as soon as he can. Since he hasn't been with coworkers in person, he said he isn't sure if anyone if his immediate colleagues are NOT getting it.
breezy8407, more than the majority of the women I see in clinic who are teachers are stating they won't get the vaccine when it becomes available to them. I hope they change their mind.
I guess my point is that we are not at the point we should be having this discussion since they aren’t vaccinated yet. Many unions are fighting because no the protections haven’t been put in place and they haven’t been vaccinated yet. I think once their staff have been adequately vaccinated and building protections have been put into place the pushback from the unions will be less BUT in areas with chronically underfunded schools like Philly (near me) I bet the teachers will still push back because their buildings are falling apart and air quality is a joke, so yes they need more done in the schools before they can safely return. The reinvestment needed in some schools is just beyond imagination.
My kids' school district is still 100% virtual. I've already attended 2 school board meetings this month - the last one was 5 hours long. Parents who want an in-school option are getting really frustrated - especially parents of elementary school kids for whom socialization is a main component of school. The school board approved the framework for a plan at the last meeting but did not set a date to return.
Several parents have said they plan to leave the district if there is no in-person option by the end of the year, and I'm sure many other parents feel the same but they haven't spoken out publicly. They feel that the goal post has been moved and the expectation of 0% risk cannot be met. I am concerned the district's reluctance to offer in person classes will have a negative, long term impact on our district. As much as I'd really like my kids to have some in person schooling, it's not going to make me leave the district if we don't. I do feel frustrated on behalf of parents who have kids that are really struggling with 100% virtual. I'm also getting really annoyed with our school board members who seem very hesitant to make the decisions they were elected to make and don't even seem to be consulting professionals who could give them appropriate guidance.
breezy8407, more than the majority of the women I see in clinic who are teachers are stating they won't get the vaccine when it becomes available to them. I hope they change their mind.
I don’t know for sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if many of my husband’s coworkers (elementary school in the FL panhandle) refuse the vaccine. He will get it as soon as it’s offered. But yeah, we won’t have any way of knowing if our son’s teacher this year or next year are vaccinated unless they choose to tell H.
ETA: our district has offered in person, remote, and virtual options. Both H and DS are full-time in-person, but it’s elementary and the class sizes are really small (18), masks are required, kids don’t ever leave their classroom....