Philadelphia Public Schools will have in-person classes starting August 31st for grade school, junior high, and high school students. The problem is, the pandemic isn’t through with us yet, and numbers of newly confirmed cases of Covid-19 are starting to climb again in the city. There’s also the new Delta variant to be concerned about and the fact that the number of vaccinated individuals in Philadelphia is still not where it should be. Meanwhile, Philadelphia Public Schools CEO Dr. Height has now announced that while there is no official mandate in place as of this moment for School District employees as it relates to the Covid-19 vaccine, expect one soon. The language in the mandate is still being worked out. As Height put it, you have to take into consideration people who have the kinds of health issues that may not allow them to get vaccinated, and there are people with religious concerns that will not allow them to get vaccinated.
The good news is that reportedly, 90% of Philadelphia public school employees are already vaccinated, and I think that’s a very good thing.
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Union President, Jerry Jordan says his union is in full support of a mandate that says all school district employees should be vaccinated. Dr. Robin Cooper, President of the Public High school Principals Union, CASA says her union is in agreement with the PFT Union.
President Jordan commented, “In order to ensure that we are doing all we can to support the health and safety of our students and staff, the PFT supports the position outlined by AFT President Randi Weingarten,” the letter read. The union representing Philadelphia school principals also said Monday that it supports a negotiated vaccine requirement for its members.
As for Philadelphia Public Schools coming up with mandatory requirement that all students get the Covid vaccine, a lot of people are saying they don’t believe it will happen. The thought is that it will get “too messy” with people’s religious beliefs and some with health concerns.
What this columnist keeps thinking is, aren’t there still other mandated and required vaccinations for children to attend school, be that public schools or Catholic schools, or private schools. The answer is yes. So why not a mandate for all children to have the Covid-19 vaccination as well? (The only children exempt should be the ones with religious or health issues).
In the United States, everyone age 12 and up is currently eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that everyone in this group gets vaccinated as soon as they can.
At this time, children and teens aged 12 and up are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Those younger than 12 years of age are not.
Before the COVID-19 vaccines were authorized by the FDA, clinical trials showed vaccines to be remarkably safe and effective for adults and teens age 16 and up. Trials involved tens of thousands of volunteers.
After getting more safety data for younger teens, the FDA broadened authorization to include children and teens age 12 and older. Clinical trials are underway for children as young as six months.
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine will help keep children and teens from getting seriously ill even if they do get COVID-19.
The Department of Public Health is providing COVID-19 vaccines to all Philadelphia residents age 12 and older who want them. It is now easier than ever to get the vaccine and protect yourself, your family, and your community. If you don’t know where to go to get a free Covid vaccine shot, log not the city of Philadelphia website at: www.phila.gov/programs/coronavirus. Then click on locations where one can get the Covid vaccine. Also, most drug stores such as CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens offer free Covid-19 vaccines. Even neighborhood drug stores, in many cases, are offering the Covid vaccine at no charge.
One final note on this “back to school thing: Dr. Robin Cooper shared with me that I should warn parents who think they have a “choice” to allow their children to continue with online education this Fall if they’re not comfortable sending their child for in-person classes yet. Yes, you have that choice to allow your child or children to still do online education from home. But two months from now, for example, if you decide your child is ok and the pandemic has really calmed down, so you want to put your child back in a classroom for in-person learning, your child’s “space” may not be there anymore, particularly with the “magnet” schools. Magnet schools are always in demand, and there’s always a waiting list. So be aware that your child can lose their spot on the list when they opt, or you as the parent opt to keep them home for online classes, then change your mind.
