“There is no indication that teachers are dying at a higher rate than other professionals, and no evidence that the coronavirus is spreading faster in schools than in communities at large, especially in districts where health precautions are strictly followed.” NY Times, (1/27/2012)
Although there is no definite account of how many of the nation’s 3.5 million teachers have contracted or died during the pandemic, the American Federation of Teachers said it was aware of 530 school employees lost to Covid-19 last years. The lack of contract tracing makes it nearly impossible to know where most of those teachers gotten the virus.
Although three educators died in Powder Springs, GA, two board members and the superintendent declined to wear masks during a moment of silence at a memorial service. While some states have prioritized educators for vaccinations, not all have done so.
President Biden wants schools to open for in-person learning. Parents, children, businesspeople and educators want schools to open as well. I want schools to open as well, however, it should be done I want to do that SAFELY. What does “safely”’ mean?
- Everyone working with children in schools needs to be vaccinated.
- Children are tested regularly to insure that they are not bringing the virus into school from home.
- Schools need to mandate that EVERYONE wears a mask and enforce that policy.
- Daily temperature checks are taken at school entrances.
- Social distancing is practiced in the school (in classrooms, lunchroom, study hall, gyms)
- Plexiglass dividers are in classrooms.
Unlike other businesses, classroom educators come into contact with large numbers of people (35-185 or more in high schools) for long periods of time (45 minutes ““ 6 hours) every day.