Teachers to Killer Kate: Dream on
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown's decision to let school employees jump the line ahead of the elderly for Covid vaccine will go down in history as one of the worst ever made by an Oregon governor. It already is one of the most unpopular.
The stated reason for the move is that it will get schools open quicker. But funny thing, the teachers' unions have to agree to that, and they aren't going to.
But the awarding of vaccines to teachers is no guarantee they'll resume in-person instruction at Portland Public Schools anytime soon. Instead, it's the start of a protracted fight.
Many teachers remain reluctant to return to the classroom. They fear entering poorly ventilated buildings and bringing the virus home to their loved ones. They believe school reopening will spread disease from kids to parents and grandparents. And they argue that wealthy, white students will more easily return to school buildings—creating separate and unequal education.
I have given Brown more credit than most people do, but on this one she really screwed up.
Every legislative session the teachers union would have us believe they are among Oregon's most essential workers. My appreciation for nurses skyrocketed this year. My appreciation for Oregon's K-12 teachers fell off a cliff.
ReplyDeleteMany countries have had in-person learning for months, so we know it works. https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/04/health/europe-school-closures-covid-19-gbr-intl/index.html
ReplyDeleteSuicide rates are soaring and kids are getting dumber while teachers whine.