Penna Dexter

In many parts of the country, K-12 educators are now eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine. States are responsible for setting these priorities and some are making sure teachers and other school staff members are vaccinated quickly. Education Week reports that, as of January 22, at least 21 states have made some or all teachers eligible to receive the vaccine. Yet teachers’ unions in some of the nation’s most populous cities still argue for keeping schools closed. New York City middle and high schools closed for a second time in November and remain closed, with elementary schools only partially open. The United Federation of Teachers argues that the city must wait until we know whether vaccinated people can still spread the virus. A Washington Examiner editorial points out that Fairfax County Virginia is “dragging its feet, even though its vaccination process is in full swing and even though students have had to put up with distance learning since the pandemic broke out in March of last year.” The Examiner reports that “Failing rates have spiked across all grades.” The position of Los Angeles County’s largest teachers’ union is that, in order to reopen schools, every teacher and every student must be vaccinated. Since no available vaccine has yet been approved for children under 16, LA schools will likely remain closed for the rest of the school year. Commentator John Stossel points out in The Daily Signal, that “Almost all of California’s government-run schools are closed.” But there’s a disconnect. Mr. Stossel says, “It’s revealing that government-run schools fight to stay closed, while most businesses — private schools, restaurants, hair salons, gyms, etc. fight to be allowed to open.” This is not about teachers’ safety. It’s about union power and priorities. The Los Angeles union demands things like defunding police, moratoriums on charter schools, and “Medicare for All.” Extensive studies show COVID-19 positivity in schools is well below their broader communities. Teachers’ unions are out of excuses.