DC Independent School Teachers not eligible for COVID vaccine on Jan 25.

[Anonymous]

Just announced by OSSE today. They are giving priority to DCPS and charter school employees and independent school teachers are not eligible in this round. Which is complete BULLSHIT because we have been the ones going in person and risking our health to educate kids while public school teachers stay home.

I am LIVID.

[Anonymous]

I am sorry. I would be too.

[Anonymous]

It is all politics.

Thank you, teacher, for showing up for your students. We appreciate the fact that you care.

I hope that private schools teachers are vaccinated ASAP - you sure as hell deserve it.

[Anonymous]

This is terrible

[Anonymous]

I am sorry to hear this, at least medical workers it was based on who is in person now.

[Anonymous]

That's disgusting. Shame on DC. All K-12 teachers should have equal access to the vaccine. It is vital the PS teachers get it so their schools can reopen, and it is equally important that private and catholic school teachers who are putting themselves at risk every day get it.

[Anonymous]

Wow, that's horrible.

[Anonymous]

Since the pandemic began, there have been posters on this board who have outlined all the reasons that it is safe or safer for private schools to open: smaller class sizes, more resources to devote to deep cleaning, modern facilities/HVAC, extensive outdoor opportunities, students more likely to comply with social distancing/mask requirements, doctors and public health officials on the board of trustees. So maybe those are reasons that independent school teachers are less at risk. I don’t know, but maybe.

[Anonymous]

Sure it politics but more so its risk and numbers. Private school teachers don’t have to be back in person. That is a school choice and it benefits a small percentage of the population. Healthcare workers got it first because they have the highest risk, help the most folks, and losing them posed a greater risk of death to the population at large. Public school teachers will get it ahead of private because they affect a larger portion of the population. The idea being if they are safe and able to go back, more students can go back, more parents can be more effective at work, the economy can rebound. Again larger affect for the population at large.

If the vaccine were readily available giving it to everyone would be right, but its not, so tough choices.

[Anonymous]

I agree with you OP. Everyone working in-person in any kind of childcare or education should be prioritized.

[Anonymous]

Apparently they knocked day care / preschool workers off the list as well. Talk about people who are on the front lines caring for kids of essential workers. So messed up.

[Anonymous]

I signed up to receive notifications about vaccinations through the DC government. In the morning I receive a notification that people 65 or older may sign up for appointments. No sooner than 30 minutes later, I receive an email stating that all the appointments are already taken and that they're sorry they don't have more vaccine. I never believed the 1/25 date was going to fly. I'm banking more on spring break time.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, PP here. I hope that the private and catholic schools and day cares band together and sue. This is like saying we're giving shots to front line workers at Georgetown Hospital but not Washington Hospital Center. Same job. Same risks. Public, private, catholic or day care.

[Anonymous]

That’s awful. Shame on them.

[Anonymous]

This inaccurate.