NYC Educator: Philly Teachers Have the Right Idea--Vaccinate Before Opening

NYC Educator: Philly Teachers Have the Right Idea--Vaccinate Before Opening

Philly Teachers Have the Right Idea--Vaccinate Before Opening

I'm a big fan of common sense, even if  it's the least common of all the senses. And in Philadelphia, the union is saying no to school openings until all staff is vaccinated. That seems like the best way to open school buildings. This is an important step to remove the terror and loathing of so many teachers and other employees (who of course should be vaccinated along with the teachers).

What I don't see in this demand is the students. Frankly, they should be vaccinated as well. It's not exactly a win-win if school employees are protected but students are not. I'm not seeing a net positive if students are contracting the virus and making their families sick and/ or dead. In fact, if vaccines aren't available to all, the only kind of viable building openings would be masked, socially distanced, and sorely limited.

That appears to be what Philly is looking at right now, though the story is a little short on details. We've thus far been able to pull that off in NYC without any major catastrophe, but as the story points out, facts on the ground are constantly in flux. We have these new virus mutations that spread more rapidly, and the Philly union is right to take that into consideration. Really, no one knows what will change or how, and if we aren't ready to adapt, we're lost.

The question then becomes whether or not vaccines should be mandatory. I'm inclined to say yes, but at that I'm at odds with both CONTINUE READING: NYC Educator: Philly Teachers Have the Right Idea--Vaccinate Before Opening