The debate over whether and when to open schools for in-person education is heating up, as the CDC has weighed in and teachers’ unions continue to threaten strikes. Vaccines aren’t necessary nor do schools cause coronavirus outbreaks according to the CDC.
Summary
CDC’s new director Rochelle Walensky said on Wednesday that schools can safely reopen without vaccinating teachers provided “other precautions are taken.”
- The push to reopen schools has been driven by President Biden’s pledge to “ensure nearly all K-8 schools will re-open” for classroom learning in his first 100 days.
- Walensky’s remarks come a few days after the CDC said there was “little evidence” schools in the U.S. have driven a spike in coronavirus infections.
- Another study conducted by the CDC and Wisconsin Department of Health that linked “thousands of cases” to school spread did not detail its methodology and included “potential” school-related acquisition as though it was confirmed.
- As vaccination numbers increase and the push to reopen schools and retail continues, Axios notes the number of new coronavirus infections is dropping across the country.
- While attempting to provide a nuanced look at the issue of reopening schools, Vox ultimately blamed the current debate on former President Trump.
- CNBC reported on the White House’s attempt to “walk back” the CDC Director’s comments on teacher vaccinations, saying it was not an official guidance, while also noting the CDC still considers teachers “frontline essential workers.”
- CNN reported that despite Biden’s push and the CDC’s latest data, teachers’ unions are taking a stand in places like San Francisco and Chicago.
- Fox News’ reporting framed the story as part of the Biden administration’s push to pass the American Rescue Plan coronavirus relief bill, which administration officials say will allow school to reopen safely without teacher vaccinations.
- The Federalist highlighted legislation introduced by a group of Republican senators that would cut funding for school districts that “fail to reopen properly”, noting the power of teachers’ unions in blue states to strong-arm elected officials.
- Breitbart reported on Walensky’s appearance on MSNBC saying “schools should be the last thing to close and the first thing to open” and that school reopening should rely on mitigation protocols rather than teacher vaccinations.
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© Dallas Gerber, 2021
