Why not vaccinate all the teachers and be done with this ongoing drama?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teachers will get vaccinated and then still refuse to teach. Bank on it. They'll argue it somehow still isn't safe.

Do you mean saying something like "omg the south african variant is way more contagious and the vaccines aren't yet proven with it and I still could really die?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers will get vaccinated and then still refuse to teach. Bank on it. They'll argue it somehow still isn't safe.

Do you mean saying something like "omg the south african variant is way more contagious and the vaccines aren't yet proven with it and I still could really die?"

There will always be more variants. You will need to get annual targeted boosters, like companies are preparing right now for the South African variant. This will be like the flu. People need to get their minds around this. It can't be that school closes each and every time until there's a booster. *There would be no school.* Even against the South African variant, the existing vaccines are 50%+ effective (some into the 70s)... that still makes a big difference in odds and in community spread. In fact, it is worth noting that the FDA's cutoff for a vaccine for COVID originally was 50%+, which the vaccines meet for the new variant!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the original poster.

Here we go with the false drama:

No teachers I know of, or the WTU has stated that kids should be vaccinated before IPL.

Very few teachers have said they don’t want to be vaccinated.

No virtual teachers have been offered a vaccine. Period.

I’m only asking that teachers and school staff be vaccinated. Then we go right back. The WTU will not have a leg to stand on.

There are actually teacher unions out there taking the all kids must be vaxxed position; thankfully not in DC yet.

Lots of teachers won't get vaxxed. It's just the demographic reality. Only 60% of nurses in DC chose to get vaxxed; the demographics to DCPS teachers are actually extremely similar. There's just a lot of distrust that's built up over time and all the conspiracy theory nonsense isn't helping.

All teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in 1b (at the same time as daycares, private school teachers, etc). The only group we are waiting on is 65+ and, honestly, I don't think people have carefully looked at the mortality stats if they really don't think old people should be getting vaxxed before teachers who are not being required to return in person. Also, it's worth noting that the WTU could have lobbied for an MOA that said every teacher back (absent FMLA/leave that always applies as a matter of right) following vaccination and they DIDN'T. Why? Because that is not a promise they've made or will make. Liz Davis has already said on the record that vaccines are not enough.

At a certain point our society will call the bluff of teachers who refuse to return. And they will be fired. Union or no union.
If they don't want a vaccine, fine. Don't get one, but you can't be a teacher or you have to take responsibility for the risk you created for yourself.
I'm going to guess that "call the bluff" moment will come by August 15 this year.

And, to be clear, I think that the profession of teacher should be more highly paid and treated more professionally by our society. People aren't going to risk their lives for a profession in which they are consistently underpaid given the level of work and education needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the original poster.

Here we go with the false drama:

No teachers I know of, or the WTU has stated that kids should be vaccinated before IPL.

Very few teachers have said they don’t want to be vaccinated.

No virtual teachers have been offered a vaccine. Period.

I’m only asking that teachers and school staff be vaccinated. Then we go right back. The WTU will not have a leg to stand on.

There are actually teacher unions out there taking the all kids must be vaxxed position; thankfully not in DC yet.

Lots of teachers won't get vaxxed. It's just the demographic reality. Only 60% of nurses in DC chose to get vaxxed; the demographics to DCPS teachers are actually extremely similar. There's just a lot of distrust that's built up over time and all the conspiracy theory nonsense isn't helping.

All teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in 1b (at the same time as daycares, private school teachers, etc). The only group we are waiting on is 65+ and, honestly, I don't think people have carefully looked at the mortality stats if they really don't think old people should be getting vaxxed before teachers who are not being required to return in person. Also, it's worth noting that the WTU could have lobbied for an MOA that said every teacher back (absent FMLA/leave that always applies as a matter of right) following vaccination and they DIDN'T. Why? Because that is not a promise they've made or will make. Liz Davis has already said on the record that vaccines are not enough.

At a certain point our society will call the bluff of teachers who refuse to return. And they will be fired. Union or no union.
If they don't want a vaccine, fine. Don't get one, but you can't be a teacher or you have to take responsibility for the risk you created for yourself.
I'm going to guess that "call the bluff" moment will come by August 15 this year.

And, to be clear, I think that the profession of teacher should be more highly paid and treated more professionally by our society. People aren't going to risk their lives for a profession in which they are consistently underpaid given the level of work and education needed.

Agree w you including the date

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the original poster.

Here we go with the false drama:

No teachers I know of, or the WTU has stated that kids should be vaccinated before IPL.

Very few teachers have said they don’t want to be vaccinated.

No virtual teachers have been offered a vaccine. Period.

I’m only asking that teachers and school staff be vaccinated. Then we go right back. The WTU will not have a leg to stand on.

There are actually teacher unions out there taking the all kids must be vaxxed position; thankfully not in DC yet.

Lots of teachers won't get vaxxed. It's just the demographic reality. Only 60% of nurses in DC chose to get vaxxed; the demographics to DCPS teachers are actually extremely similar. There's just a lot of distrust that's built up over time and all the conspiracy theory nonsense isn't helping.

All teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in 1b (at the same time as daycares, private school teachers, etc). The only group we are waiting on is 65+ and, honestly, I don't think people have carefully looked at the mortality stats if they really don't think old people should be getting vaxxed before teachers who are not being required to return in person. Also, it's worth noting that the WTU could have lobbied for an MOA that said every teacher back (absent FMLA/leave that always applies as a matter of right) following vaccination and they DIDN'T. Why? Because that is not a promise they've made or will make. Liz Davis has already said on the record that vaccines are not enough.

At a certain point our society will call the bluff of teachers who refuse to return. And they will be fired. Union or no union.
If they don't want a vaccine, fine. Don't get one, but you can't be a teacher or you have to take responsibility for the risk you created for yourself.
I'm going to guess that "call the bluff" moment will come by August 15 this year.

And, to be clear, I think that the profession of teacher should be more highly paid and treated more professionally by our society. People aren't going to risk their lives for a profession in which they are consistently underpaid given the level of work and education needed.

It's really sad but I'm starting to feel the opposite about the profession being more highly paid and treated more professionally after this mess. I personally know some great teachers, but at this point it's clear that the union leadership represents the majority that want to get paid the same regardless of the level of education the kids receive. Hopefully when the system finally breaks it brings their retirement system in line with modern times and replaces the pension with a 401k like everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the original poster.

Here we go with the false drama:

No teachers I know of, or the WTU has stated that kids should be vaccinated before IPL.

Very few teachers have said they don’t want to be vaccinated.

No virtual teachers have been offered a vaccine. Period.

I’m only asking that teachers and school staff be vaccinated. Then we go right back. The WTU will not have a leg to stand on.

There are actually teacher unions out there taking the all kids must be vaxxed position; thankfully not in DC yet.

Lots of teachers won't get vaxxed. It's just the demographic reality. Only 60% of nurses in DC chose to get vaxxed; the demographics to DCPS teachers are actually extremely similar. There's just a lot of distrust that's built up over time and all the conspiracy theory nonsense isn't helping.

All teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in 1b (at the same time as daycares, private school teachers, etc). The only group we are waiting on is 65+ and, honestly, I don't think people have carefully looked at the mortality stats if they really don't think old people should be getting vaxxed before teachers who are not being required to return in person. Also, it's worth noting that the WTU could have lobbied for an MOA that said every teacher back (absent FMLA/leave that always applies as a matter of right) following vaccination and they DIDN'T. Why? Because that is not a promise they've made or will make. Liz Davis has already said on the record that vaccines are not enough.

At a certain point our society will call the bluff of teachers who refuse to return. And they will be fired. Union or no union.
If they don't want a vaccine, fine. Don't get one, but you can't be a teacher or you have to take responsibility for the risk you created for yourself.
I'm going to guess that "call the bluff" moment will come by August 15 this year.

And, to be clear, I think that the profession of teacher should be more highly paid and treated more professionally by our society. People aren't going to risk their lives for a profession in which they are consistently underpaid given the level of work and education needed.

It's really sad but I'm starting to feel the opposite about the profession being more highly paid and treated more professionally after this mess. I personally know some great teachers, but at this point it's clear that the union leadership represents the majority that want to get paid the same regardless of the level of education the kids receive. Hopefully when the system finally breaks it brings their retirement system in line with modern times and replaces the pension with a 401k like everyone else.

Same. The lack of willingness to go in shows a real absence of dedication and true interest in the well-being and education of their students. I used to believe that they should be more highly paid and more respected as a result of what I believed to be their dedication to the welfare of children. It turns out that it's just a job for many teachers, and so 60 to 100k seems like a fine range for me in a city with an average salary of 76k.

[Anonymous]

Sigh, have you been keeping up with the science?

A vaccination will not end our covid crisis, even with it we must still social distance and I imagine it will be a very, very long time until everyone in the US, including kids can get the vaccine.

Therefore how do you suppose to social distance in a room with 25+ people. Hospitals, grocery stores, and restaurants don't have this issue.

Countries that have their kids back have lower class sizes, DCPS can barely get enough teachers pre-pandemic....and that's not even the main issue...no building space....

There's 100% no chance of all kids in DCPS or charter being offered seats for term 4. This is not due to the WTU and you know this. This is the United States paying for f*ing up infrastructure and DCPS not trying to curb school crowing faster. And oh...idk A PANDEMIC...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the original poster.

Here we go with the false drama:

No teachers I know of, or the WTU has stated that kids should be vaccinated before IPL.

Very few teachers have said they don’t want to be vaccinated.

No virtual teachers have been offered a vaccine. Period.

I’m only asking that teachers and school staff be vaccinated. Then we go right back. The WTU will not have a leg to stand on.

There are actually teacher unions out there taking the all kids must be vaxxed position; thankfully not in DC yet.

Lots of teachers won't get vaxxed. It's just the demographic reality. Only 60% of nurses in DC chose to get vaxxed; the demographics to DCPS teachers are actually extremely similar. There's just a lot of distrust that's built up over time and all the conspiracy theory nonsense isn't helping.

All teachers will be eligible for the vaccine in 1b (at the same time as daycares, private school teachers, etc). The only group we are waiting on is 65+ and, honestly, I don't think people have carefully looked at the mortality stats if they really don't think old people should be getting vaxxed before teachers who are not being required to return in person. Also, it's worth noting that the WTU could have lobbied for an MOA that said every teacher back (absent FMLA/leave that always applies as a matter of right) following vaccination and they DIDN'T. Why? Because that is not a promise they've made or will make. Liz Davis has already said on the record that vaccines are not enough.

At a certain point our society will call the bluff of teachers who refuse to return. And they will be fired. Union or no union.
If they don't want a vaccine, fine. Don't get one, but you can't be a teacher or you have to take responsibility for the risk you created for yourself.
I'm going to guess that "call the bluff" moment will come by August 15 this year.

And, to be clear, I think that the profession of teacher should be more highly paid and treated more professionally by our society. People aren't going to risk their lives for a profession in which they are consistently underpaid given the level of work and education needed.

It's really sad but I'm starting to feel the opposite about the profession being more highly paid and treated more professionally after this mess. I personally know some great teachers, but at this point it's clear that the union leadership represents the majority that want to get paid the same regardless of the level of education the kids receive. Hopefully when the system finally breaks it brings their retirement system in line with modern times and replaces the pension with a 401k like everyone else.

Same. The lack of willingness to go in shows a real absence of dedication and true interest in the well-being and education of their students. I used to believe that they should be more highly paid and more respected as a result of what I believed to be their dedication to the welfare of children. It turns out that it's just a job for many teachers, and so 60 to 100k seems like a fine range for me in a city with an average salary of 76k.

It's 55k-100k with NO retirement plan.

And do lawyers and doctors get paid based on their dedication and true interest of the well being of their clients? LMAO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're hearing that a significant number of teachers at our school don't want to get vaccinated. So, I'm not sure vaccinations solve the problems at our charter.

If you are offered a vaccine and you refuse then that is not justification to stay on and teach virtually. Get the vaccine and go back to work or elect not to but still go back to work or lose your job.
Grocery store works, daycare workers, home health care & nursing /group homeworks don't get to keep their jobs if they refuse to show up. All of those jobs are equally or higher risk than teachers.

None of them are in a tiny room with 24+ kids with parents who can't be trusted, a poor building, and in some cases no windows.

Give these conditions to all these people and see how quickly those who are able to quit, see how quickly they strike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're hearing that a significant number of teachers at our school don't want to get vaccinated. So, I'm not sure vaccinations solve the problems at our charter.

If you are offered a vaccine and you refuse then that is not justification to stay on and teach virtually. Get the vaccine and go back to work or elect not to but still go back to work or lose your job.
Grocery store works, daycare workers, home health care & nursing /group homeworks don't get to keep their jobs if they refuse to show up. All of those jobs are equally or higher risk than teachers.

None of them are in a tiny room with 24+ kids with parents who can't be trusted, a poor building, and in some cases no windows.

Give these conditions to all these people and see how quickly those who are able to quit, see how quickly they strike.

Please read the CDC article in JAMA. Teachers are not getting it from kids. They’re just not. Transmission at school is teacher to teacher (I.e., the same as every other profession) of teacher to kid! The kids are so germy line from the WTU is just wrong; probably why they stopped using it. Please look at the science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I want everyone in the school to be required to be vaccinated and then return in person.

If this includes students, then you're looking at a very long time before seeing the inside of a school building.

I kinda agree and think that we need to make sure our parents A.k.a. regular folks can get vaccinated.

And then provide a distance-learning option until kids can get vaccinated safely. My kid is at risk for misc c given an over active immune system (according to pwd kids with the 3 (asthma, eczema, and allergies) have been associated with increased risk.

This risk is still (1) TINY and (2) applies to ALL viruses, just so you know; there is no evidence that COVID carries an increased risk of MISC C relative to the flu.

This!!! This pandemic has really shown that rational risk assessment is very poorly developed in most people. Also, people have never understood that influenza is actually a serious illness and they still don't want to believe that for kids, it's more dangerous than Covid, because their brains are fogged up by the hysteria the media has been fanning.

You are so right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're hearing that a significant number of teachers at our school don't want to get vaccinated. So, I'm not sure vaccinations solve the problems at our charter.

If you are offered a vaccine and you refuse then that is not justification to stay on and teach virtually. Get the vaccine and go back to work or elect not to but still go back to work or lose your job.
Grocery store works, daycare workers, home health care & nursing /group homeworks don't get to keep their jobs if they refuse to show up. All of those jobs are equally or higher risk than teachers.

None of them are in a tiny room with 24+ kids with parents who can't be trusted, a poor building, and in some cases no windows.

Give these conditions to all these people and see how quickly those who are able to quit, see how quickly they strike.

Please read the CDC article in JAMA. Teachers are not getting it from kids. They’re just not. Transmission at school is teacher to teacher (I.e., the same as every other profession) of teacher to kid! The kids are so germy line from the WTU is just wrong; probably why they stopped using it. Please look at the science.

I work with 2 other adults in a room half the size of general education.

I also generally have to deal with 3-5 adults coming in my classroom. This is not the majority of teachers of course (self-contained) but no way I would have volunteered to go back if I had to deal with the extra adults.

What about high schoolers? They are kids but get covid like adults.


I do see the science, I'm not really afraid of the kids, I deal with many other adults!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're hearing that a significant number of teachers at our school don't want to get vaccinated. So, I'm not sure vaccinations solve the problems at our charter.

If you are offered a vaccine and you refuse then that is not justification to stay on and teach virtually. Get the vaccine and go back to work or elect not to but still go back to work or lose your job.
Grocery store works, daycare workers, home health care & nursing /group homeworks don't get to keep their jobs if they refuse to show up. All of those jobs are equally or higher risk than teachers.

None of them are in a tiny room with 24+ kids with parents who can't be trusted, a poor building, and in some cases no windows.

Give these conditions to all these people and see how quickly those who are able to quit, see how quickly they strike.

Many daycare workers are in rooms with large numbers of kids for hours, and those kids have the same parents you are saying “can’t be trusted.” And yet daycares are making it work.

Grocery store workers, who make considerably less than teachers, are in buildings with no open windows for many hour shifts, coming into contact with all kinds of members of the general public, with no restrictions on who can enter, sometimes dodgy mask compliance, and often terrible healthcare and sick leave benefits.

When I see comments like this I get mad. I have teachers in my family. But my mom was a daycare worker and then a nurse for years. Teaching is not a harder or more risky job, in the context of Covid, than being a daycare worker. One of my oldest friends works at Trader Joe’s and feels stress everyday in her job, dealing with all kinds of people who are not taking sufficient precautions. But it’s her job and the economy sucks and she can’t do it remotely so she goes to work.

I’m not saying there is no risk to teachers (I don’t even support opening schools 2/1 due to current Covid rates and the new variant) but I am SO TIRED of seeing teachers acting like their jobs are uniquely risky. They aren’t! It’s just that unlike grocery store workers, waiters, retail workers, daycare workers, etc., teachers have real political power. That’s why you are home and people like my mom and my friend (the latter of who likely won’t have a vaccine for weeks or even months) are at work. Lots of people are in harms way every day. Stop acting like their situation is somehow magically safer than yours. It’s insulting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're hearing that a significant number of teachers at our school don't want to get vaccinated. So, I'm not sure vaccinations solve the problems at our charter.

If you are offered a vaccine and you refuse then that is not justification to stay on and teach virtually. Get the vaccine and go back to work or elect not to but still go back to work or lose your job.
Grocery store works, daycare workers, home health care & nursing /group homeworks don't get to keep their jobs if they refuse to show up. All of those jobs are equally or higher risk than teachers.

None of them are in a tiny room with 24+ kids with parents who can't be trusted, a poor building, and in some cases no windows.

Give these conditions to all these people and see how quickly those who are able to quit, see how quickly they strike.

Please read the CDC article in JAMA. Teachers are not getting it from kids. They’re just not. Transmission at school is teacher to teacher (I.e., the same as every other profession) of teacher to kid! The kids are so germy line from the WTU is just wrong; probably why they stopped using it. Please look at the science.

I work with 2 other adults in a room half the size of general education.

I also generally have to deal with 3-5 adults coming in my classroom. This is not the majority of teachers of course (self-contained) but no way I would have volunteered to go back if I had to deal with the extra adults.

What about high schoolers? They are kids but get covid like adults.


I do see the science, I'm not really afraid of the kids, I deal with many other adults!

Soon to be fully vaccinated adults.

Have you looked into the stats on immunity from just one shot? It’s not bad either, over 50% Pfizer and more like 70-80 Moderna.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sigh, have you been keeping up with the science?

A vaccination will not end our covid crisis, even with it we must still social distance and I imagine it will be a very, very long time until everyone in the US, including kids can get the vaccine.

Therefore how do you suppose to social distance in a room with 25+ people. Hospitals, grocery stores, and restaurants don't have this issue.

Countries that have their kids back have lower class sizes, DCPS can barely get enough teachers pre-pandemic....and that's not even the main issue...no building space....

There's 100% no chance of all kids in DCPS or charter being offered seats for term 4. This is not due to the WTU and you know this. This is the United States paying for f*ing up infrastructure and DCPS not trying to curb school crowing faster. And oh...idk A PANDEMIC...

Sigh. Some people think they’re up on the science but they’re not.

No one is saying it will end, it will come under control and be less deadly.