I’m getting nervous about school because of delta

[Anonymous]

I have to think vaccinated teachers, particularly older ones, are going to balk at being in the classroom as we start to see more evidence of vaccinated people getting Covid. Very low chance of dying or being hospitalized but an older teacher could get quite sick, not to mention that teachers were vaccinated early and Pfizer’s efficacy may be starting to wane.

I don’t blame the teachers actually. I wouldn’t want to be in a roomful of unvaccinated kids, even masked, if the delta outbreak in this area continues to grow. That being said, I really feel like kids at all levels need to be back in school. If we can get vaxx rates in this area higher and keep the delta outbreak from spiraling we maybe will be ok, but I’m skeptical. Is this all going to fall apart?

[Anonymous]

Being a teacher has been fraught with professional and medical challenges since the beginning of the pandemic. Only the middle and high school teachers can now feel slightly more protected, with vaccinations and masks. Elementary school teachers are still in the cross-hairs. Wishing them the best.

[Anonymous]

We are a two teacher household, both ES. I guess you'd consider us "older", but neither of us are concerned about being in school with our students. I haven't heard any concerns from colleagues so far.

I don't think it is all going to fall apart.

[Anonymous]

Between our vaccination rate and 1 out of 15 residents having natural immunity, are we not near community immunity hear in Fairfax County?

Also if it all falls apart, how is FCPS not in violation of SB 1303?

1. § 1. As used in this act:

"In-person instruction" means any form of instructional interaction between teachers and students that occurs in person and in real time.

"In-person instruction" does not include the act of proctoring remote online learning in a classroom.

§ 2. Each school board shall offer in-person instruction to each student enrolled in the local school division in a public elementary and secondary school for at least the minimum number of required instructional hours and to each student enrolled in the local school division in a public school-based early childhood care and education program for the entirety of the instructional time provided pursuant to such program.

§ 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 2 of this act:

1. If a local school board determines, in collaboration with the local health department and in strict adherence to "Step 2: Determine the Level of School Impact" in the Department of Health's Interim Guidance to K-12 School Reopening or any similar provision in any successor guidance document published by the Department of Health, that the transmission of COVID-19 within a school building is at a high level, the local school board may provide fully remote virtual instruction or a combination of in-person instruction and remote virtual instruction to the at-risk groups of students indicated as the result of such collaboration or, if needed, the whole student population in the school building, but in each instance only for as long as it is necessary to address and ameliorate the level of transmission of COVID-19 in the school building.

[Anonymous]

OP, maybe more research would help you. You don't sound like you understand the delta variant or the vaccines. Your fears aren't rational.

[Anonymous]

23:30 here.

A series of recent coronavirus infections among vaccinated athletes and government staffers has focused attention on an apparent rise in so-called breakthrough infections. But while cases involving fully vaccinated people have increased in recent weeks, experts say there's little reason to worry.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/breakthrough-infections-mean-covid-vaccines-rcna1478

[Anonymous]

Stop blaming teachers. They are one individual in a classroom of 25-30 kids. Parents will send their kids in sick. Covid will be present in schools. If you choose to send yours back in person you know the risks.

[Anonymous]

Why are you projecting your worry on teachers? The ones who were worried left. The rest of us who are vaccinated don’t have much to worry about and are looking forward to being back in the classroom. Don’t put your crap on us.

[Anonymous]

The teachers aren’t worried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The teachers aren’t worried.

I am not. I want no masks and totally normal school. LOL

[Anonymous]

OP please stop watching the news. Think of mutations as a photocopy of a photocopy of a photocopy.
Between vaccinations, which are pretty high in Fairfax county, and natural immunity from Covid, we will be fine.

[Anonymous]

One of my colleagues was SO anxious last year about COVID. Like so anxious I thought she was going to have to take leave. Lots and lots of fretting and many times with tears. She kept trying to get our principal to allow her to teach outside everyday. It was rough the first week when her K kids came back, even though she was vaccinated. Then she just figured it out and got more and more comfortable.

She’s now teaching one of the summer classes at our school. Totally fine. Can’t wait for school to open back up with everyone.

The purpose of the vaccine is not to eradicate COVID. People will get it even if they have been vaccinated. ( I have had the flu vaccine and still had the flu. It was just milder. ) The difference is that I won’t be hospitalized for COVID if I get it. I won’t need a ventilator. The symptoms will be much milder. It won’t be fun, but I’ll get through it.

School will be open. Students at elementary will soon be vaccinated. Everyone will be in masks.

[Anonymous]

The only concern I have as a teacher is getting it and having to burn through 2-3 weeks of leave and making 2-3 weeks of sub plans while sick. Unfortunately, teachers will get it, even vaccinated. They will then need to be out for 10-14 days depending on severity, which then effects the kids. I am very much looking forward to being back 5 days a week and praying this fall is successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only concern I have as a teacher is getting it and having to burn through 2-3 weeks of leave and making 2-3 weeks of sub plans while sick. Unfortunately, teachers will get it, even vaccinated. They will then need to be out for 10-14 days depending on severity, which then effects the kids. I am very much looking forward to being back 5 days a week and praying this fall is successful.

I’m not worried I’ll get it but pretty concern my kids who are too young to be vaccinated will and I’ll burn through leave having to stay home with them while they’re sick. But like, not worried to the extent I’m gonna help overthrow the school year as OP seems to think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to think vaccinated teachers, particularly older ones, are going to balk at being in the classroom as we start to see more evidence of vaccinated people getting Covid. Very low chance of dying or being hospitalized but an older teacher could get quite sick, not to mention that teachers were vaccinated early and Pfizer’s efficacy may be starting to wane.

I don’t blame the teachers actually. I wouldn’t want to be in a roomful of unvaccinated kids, even masked, if the delta outbreak in this area continues to grow. That being said, I really feel like kids at all levels need to be back in school. If we can get vaxx rates in this area higher and keep the delta outbreak from spiraling we maybe will be ok, but I’m skeptical. Is this all going to fall apart?

I’m a teacher who is vaccinated and I’m not the least bit worried.
Relax. Most teachers aren’t as neurotic as you are.