That the COVID-19 vaccination plan has taken a second step to include teachers in phase 1B in New York, means a “double dose” of hope for the Quisqueyana Yemmy Tavares, a resident of the Bronx: her two children Les 4 and 6 year old children receive lessons in the mixed model (virtual and face to face), but her husband is also a teacher in a secondary school.
MIami Mundo / eldiariony
“It seems to me that we will gradually return to normal. I was worried at first that my two children would go to school because they have asthma. But despite all the risks, the school teachers do a great job. The fact that they are already receiving the vaccine is very encouraging for thousands of families, ”the islander said.
The vaccination strategy for educators and other workers attending public schools in the Big Apple began last Monday, with some confusion over which teachers and workers should be the first to receive the doses.
“Everyone here must have a little patience. There are millions of us in this city and no one can think this was going to be a simple process. Just as they have been successful in opening schools in the midst of this global pandemic, I believe they will also be able to protect the majority with this new breakthrough, ”Tavares said.
From March 15, when the Big Apple’s 1,800 public schools were closed before the first COVID-19 outbreak until it reopened last fall, to keep 1,100,000 students under the “roof” of the education system, including just over 40% are of Hispanic origin, which is one of the city’s biggest challenges during a pandemic.
Doubts clarified
The city’s education chancellor, Richard Carranza, clarified all doubts by sending a communication in which he clarified: “If you are working remotely for one of our schools at the moment, wait for more information on when to plan your vaccination. ”
When José Zambrano, 45, a Puerto Rican music teacher at a public school in East Harlem, received official information from the municipality, he had already asked to be vaccinated. This Tuesday, he received an official communication stating that “he should wait”.
“It’s understandable. I only go to school for a fortnightly planning meeting. My contact with the students is made via virtual platforms. It is difficult to teach the arts from a distance. We got used to it. I think that although the vaccine is already in place, we will continue this school year under this modality. Nothing seems fast with this virus, ”said the educator.
The expectation of this professor is not far from the calculations of the state health authorities. Completion of this second phase of vaccination, which also included police, firefighters, rescuers, public transport workers and all New Yorkers over 75, is expected to take 14 weeks depending on current availability of drugs.
“Like many health workers, I have heard from colleagues who go to school every day and do not agree to inject. There are many stories. This is normal for something so new. I have other colleagues who are just very allergic and need to wait to be checked. The City will have to deal with this, ”Zambrano added.
Indeed, the spokespersons of the Municipal Department of Education (DOE) through their exhortations clarified that although they offer all the channels for an “accessible, free and safe” plan, it will not be compulsory to be vaccinated to continue in the education system. .
Vaccines are getting closer
This Tuesday, at the opening of the second day of vaccination for school staff, several teachers complained via social networks that although they had applied for this phase, after hours of testing, the digital platforms activated by the City they indicated they did not have “available appointments” for the next few weeks.
“Right now we are expanding the vaccination centers in all five counties, with each passing day we will have new places which in a few weeks will bring the vaccine closer to everyone. In the early hours of this process, we found that our staff were very motivated to apply it. This could be the first step in meeting all of us in schools in the future, ”a DOE spokesperson told El Diario.
Meanwhile, Colombian Josefina Viña, 35, says it’s “good news” that education workers are starting to get vaccinated, as she assumes that “each vaccine shortens the day for the process of teaching is more normal ”. .
The immigrant from Queens, mother of a 12-year-old girl with “special educational needs” who receives virtual instruction at a public education center in Corona, believes that nothing replaces the classroom experience.
“I was relieved to learn that they had started to vaccinate the teachers. Maybe we’ll deal with it again next fall. It is a big step. Distance education is not the same. Children must learn to relate to others. Here, despite the slowness that many denounce in the process, there is hope. Imagine how this whole pandemic is unfolding in our countries, ”Viña said.
The union counts
The President of the United Teachers’ Federation (FUT), Michael Mulgrew, announced that the union has reached an agreement with major health systems to expand access to the vaccine to all eligible members of the union.
This week began investigating all of the school workers who immediately decided to apply the drug, prioritizing staff with an in-person assignment on a campus.
In the first 24 hours of the consultation, 17,000 teachers and other education system workers said they wanted to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
The union will then coordinate with healthcare facilities to ensure that teachers and other members who wish to vaccinate can do so as soon as possible at convenient locations in the Big Apple.
“Thousands of vaccine doses are inactive or even wasted, as the current system leaves health care providers waiting for eligible recipients to arrive. We are creating a group of members who choose to participate, who want the vaccine, and then we will put them in touch with vendors who have vaccines available, ”Mulgrew said.
The teacher manager argues that while his supplier agreements will make it easier for teachers to get the vaccine, state supply limits will mean that not everyone who wants the vaccine will be able to receive it immediately.
“Increasing the national supply will be one of the top priorities of the new Joe Biden administration,” he said.
So goes the vaccine
870,000 workers in the New York State education system can be vaccinated in phase 1B according to statistics from the New York State Department of Health.
80,000 teachers have the New York public school system.
140,000 employees are paid in each school district in the city.
669,175 doses of the new drugs Pfizer and Moderna are available in Big Apple inventories.
239,324 doses were applied Tuesday in New York to groups 1A and 1B.
3.2 million New Yorkers are eligible for group 1B, whose inoculation could end in the first half of April.
How do I know if I am eligible for the vaccine?
If you are eligible for Phase 1A or 1B, you can make an appointment now to receive your doses. Use https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/ the Detailed Information Finder Tool to get your vaccine in New York.
Additional sites for the COVID-19 vaccine will be added as they become available.
You can also make an appointment by phone by dialing 1-877-VAX-4NYC.
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