Sunday, August 16, 2020

GUEST BLOGGER JP FROM MANHATTAN'S LETTER TO DE BLASIO

 Mayor de Blasio,

Chancellor Carranza

UFT

Governor Cuomo

City Council

NY Media

As of May, soon after school closures, 74 DOE employees DIED of COVID-19.  We have no idea what the real number is or how many actually were infected.  Remember, you knowingly sent us into infected buildings.  

70 were school-based employees:

- 28 paraprofessionals

- 30 teachers

- 2 food service staffers

- 2 administrators

- 2 facilities staff

- 2 school aides

- 2 guidance counselors

- 1 parent coordinator

- 1 school computer technology specialist

Mr. Carranza, on March 12 you made a joke citing 108,000 epidemiologists, after 108,000 DOE staff members requested an immediate shutdown, to ensure safety.  I think you should go to the families of the DOE staff members who died and the thousands more who were made sick, and then apologize.  I am one of those staff members.  That joke was not funny.  It was done in poor taste and got people killed.  It is unfortunate, in such a dire situation, you showed such poor leadership.  Are you willing to do the same thing so more people get sick and die?  Should staff members suffer, go on ventilators, how about their families?  How are you going to apologize to me if I pick up the virus from a staff member, a student or on the train?   If I kill my elderly parents?  How many more staff members is the DOE willing to lose before they realize that reopening schools is DANGEROUS.  Is it even safe that TEACHERS will be breathing in all the stuff they are spraying in the classroom to clean every day?

Mayoral Lies

Parent survey-75 percent of parent surveys stated that they wanted students to return to the buildings.  NOT TRUE.  First, most of that 75 said that they only wanted students to return if specific conditions were met.  Second, you assume that the 800,000 parents that did not reply want students to return to buildings.  That is not true.  How do I know?  My school took time to call all the parents.  Guess what?  Of the parents we could reach, approximately 80% told us that they did not complete the survey and want students enrolled in remote instruction ONLY.  

"DOE press secretary Miranda Barbot confirmed that about 586,000 students — 80 percent of the students who are under blended learning — were automatically enrolled because the parents didn’t submit a response to the city.”

Next lie-You claim that 85% of teachers want to return to buildings.  NOT TRUE.  85% could not qualify for the medical accommodation.  Actually, almost every teacher we have spoken to feels very unsafe and would prefer full remote learning.  Why don't you make it optional if you are so confident?  It is so unsafe that you can make accommodations but it is so safe everyone else can take the risk?  166,000 dead, remember.  5 million infections, remember?  Long-term brain, heart, breathing problems...Are you willing to risk long-term problems?  55% of coronavirus patients still have neurological problems three months later: study

Perhaps I can gain 25 pounds in the next 3 weeks so I can qualify for the accommodation.  Being overweight is better than attempting to live with covid-19.  

In my many years as a teacher I learned how to see the future...

This will be an utter disaster

Thousands will get sick

Cuomo will blame de Blasio

De Blasio will blame Trump

Mulgrew will blame the DOE

Staff will suffer and get nothing out of it

Every plan assumes a well-behaved student body that will follow all directives and maintain masks and social distancing, even during hall passing.  This is impossible.  I have been spit on by students.  What happens when one loses their temper and intentionally spits, breathes heavy on, blows air in my face, grabs me, refuses to wear a mask?  Please don't tell me there will be actions taken.  That has never happened.  You outlawed suspensions, remember?  Have you walked into a school in the last 6 years, unannounced, and seen what was going on?  Complete chaos and disrespect.  You are making grand assumptions, again.  Students unable to follow rules, eating, touching, getting angry and threatening with spit, coming from outside, interacting with friends, people on bus or train...And then covid infected students will sit in an isolation room with a staff member.  There are still loads of teens outside playing basketball, for example.  

But don't worry, as students eat with no mask they will sit quietly like angels and we will stand behind them.  Great plan.  

Every day, from NY to California, and in many parts of NY, schools are deeming it unsafe to re-open in person learning?  Why are you willing to risk the safety of everyone?    It is a proven fact that large gatherings cause numbers to skyrocket.  What about bus use?  Train use?  You are possibly causing a citywide outbreak.  You want to open just to close a few days later and harm everyone in the process?  State after state that has reopened has had deadly consequences.  Texas and Georgia, after just days, had to quarantine thousands of people.  

15-year-old boy with no underlying conditions has died in Georgia after contracting COVID-19, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.  The boy’s death comes as many Georgia school districts have reopened for in-person learning.

Dr. Birx and Dr. Fauci have repeatedly said that schools shouldn’t open as there is risk of community spread.  They have said large gatherings, especially those which are indoors are the most dangerous.  A classroom full of students and a school full of students and staff is an indoor large gathering.  

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, of CNN, certainly not a Trump supporter, is keeping his three young daughters home.  Even though they are "Low risk," he deems a return to school too dangerous.  

Just in the last 24 hours...

-Most California schools will start year online, Gov. Gavin Newsom says

-Rochester-Remote

-Columbia, Barnard Cancel In-Person Classes for the Fall

-A majority of Hudson County school districts will be all-remote in September

-SEATTLE REMOTE INDEFINITELY: School board says in-person reopen date depends on health metrics. Other WA districts follow suit, some delay 6-8 weeks https://mynorthwest.com/2034736/districts-reopening-schools-western-washington/

-DENVER OPENS REMOTE: Large city delays in-person school till at least mid-October 

-Lunch Workers Union, School Aides Urge De Blasio To Delay NYC School Reopening

Governor Cuomo stated that fall is coming, he questions what is going to happen with people getting the flu, people getting flu vaccines, and everyone in the city running to get covid tests?  All staff members?  And students?  You don't envision a problem?

Dr. Redfield stated that this will be the worst fall season in terms of health in United States history.  

We know with 100% certainty that taking someone's temperature means absolutely nothing.  

Parents, teachers say de Blasio is downplaying real concerns over schools https://t.co/NZxFuKpcOO?amp=1

The DOE cannot be trusted after last March.  After last March, and after many other failures, all teachers realized that they could not trust the UFT.  Instead of calling for a walkout, the UFT was worried about dues loss.  

If Mr. Mulgrew states that we were waiting 20 years for nurses, why would we expect any improvements now?  It shows you didn't value us then, and you don't value us now.  Nice job UFT. Way to hold the city accountable.  

We were promised by Governer Cuomo that we had to feel safe, the parents had to feel safe and we had to be ready to go back.  In addition to a meaningless Q and A session coming up next week?  Is that it?  We have no say?  Where is our survey?  What you are asking for is to have open schools with no staff.  Not worth our lives to sit with two students who are doing nothing anyway.   We know you think of us as babysitters anyway.  AFT President Randi Weingarten has endorsed a "Strike for safety."  All the teachers need to hop on this wagon to protect themselves and their family.  I don't think the entire teaching staff will be fooled again.  Either we go in or we don't.  I bet we don't. 


33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Randi agrees with JP.

Randi Weingarten
@rweingarten
Teachers Organize Mass Sick Days, Resignations, And Potential Strikes Over Schools Reopening

Anonymous said...

Jp should work for the uft, or be uft pres.

Anonymous said...

This letter should be sent to all the New York papers

JP said...

It was sent to the NY Post and CBS as well as the entire City Council, mayor, chancellor, governor, uft...

Anonymous said...

Add the kid in Oklahoma who knowingly had COVID and went to school because his parents were "mistaken" about quarantine time. Like parents who "mistakenly" give feverish kids Tylenol and send them to school. If I die can someone get Carranza's mariachi band to play at my funeral?

waitingforsupport said...

Jp took his life into his own hands. It's not easy but it's necessary. Now I hope ALL teachers have his back and stay home because they "feel sick". Either you go in or you don't.

waitingforsupport said...

Send it to Ben Chapman of the daily news. Put it on blast.

Anonymous said...

Thank you JP. You should replace Carranza ASAP.

JP said...

Another thing I just found out that I would have added...The UFT, the great union, already canceled the retiree meeting for March 2021 and it will be remote. They already know that they can't have an in person meeting 7 months from now but we should go into buildings with hundreds of people right now?

Anonymous said...

Mulgrew obviously agrees with Cuomo, deBlasio and Carranza - based on his actions and inactions. He’s telling both sides what they want to hear and teachers will be back in the classrooms, like it or not. Again the real problem lies in, with and from Mulgrew and his Unity Club. What does it take to wake you zombies up?

Anonymous said...

mJP should replace Mulgrew as UFT President. We must strike out against Mulgrew and protest
against the UFT in order to oust Mulgrew. ulgrew is unworthy of being the UFT president. I don't know what any teacher saw in him to vote for him. Mulgrew is completely unworthy and untrustworthy. He has lost his mind, his morals and his credibility with the rank and file.
Now is the time to restore the dignity of the Union by ousting the leadership in order to the voting rules and the totally undemocratic structure.

FELLOW TEACHERS, I CALL ON YOU TO SEIZE THE MOMENT AND DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!

Anonymous said...

This letter should be a NY TIMES OP ED. Mulgrew must be completely humiliated.
He has nos sense of shame or sense of duty.

Anonymous said...

The letter should be sent to all the parents.

Anonymous said...

Put this letter on the front page of the Daily News, the NY POST and the NY Times.
It is brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Correction to my earlier post:

JP should replace Mulgrew as UFT President. We must strike out against Mulgrew and protest
against the UFT in order to oust Mulgrew. Mulgrew is unworthy of being the UFT president. I don't know what any teacher saw in him to vote for him. Mulgrew is completely unworthy and untrustworthy. He has lost his mind, his morals and his credibility with the rank and file.
Now is the time to restore the dignity of the Union by ousting the leadership in order to end the unfair voting rules and the totally corrupt undemocratic structure.

FELLOW TEACHERS, I CALL ON YOU TO SEIZE THE MOMENT AND DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!

Pete Zucker said...

JP doesn't need to gain 25 pounds. Just start smoking Newports.

Anonymous said...

JP, thank you so much for articulating what so many of us feel.
Teachers are fed up with so much horrible disrespect over the years.

Anonymous said...

Crickets from Unity Trolls. If the active membership doesn't show Mulgrew what taking a stand looks like, they are doomed to be ignored and have more infections and deaths swept under the rug. That's the doe way. Lie, cheat and cover it up while the sheep just bah instead of realizing that together they miraculously turn from sheep to wolves. Unite, sharpen those canine teeth and fight for your lives.

Anonymous said...

Pete, I just read your once great blog and now I see you on here as well. Why would the Cuomo listen to your Bronx Science superstars when we have a UFT President constantly caving and agreeing to every demand, as usual. Your being a Unity and Mulgrew apologist, not withstanding. Sickening. Pete, you’ve lost the little credibility you had left. Never again will I read your once humorous and honest blog. Renounce your pact with satan and drop out of Unity. There is still time left before Mulgrew comes for your soul! All for a little UFT job! Horrifying and sad. When you’re sitting in class after regaining the 50 pounds you once lost and that nasty cigarette habit, remember Mulgrew played you. Yes, he’s not playing the DOE, he’s playing the rank and file. Worse your trying to get others to join you in the ER is beyond despicable in your hunt for a cheap laugh - but I have a feeling you’re being deadly serious.

Anonymous said...

Tens of thousands of UFT members heard Mulgrew say at the TOWNHALL---schools will not open if they are not safe.
That is the UFT's position and the
membership is in agreement.
All of us should want safe schools so we can do what many of us believe---that teachers have most essential job in the world.

Anonymous said...

I think Michael Mulgrew is talking about shutting individual schools, not the entire system. That is a huge difference. If that is sufficient, and some think it is, then we are good to go.

Anonymous said...

Let's have that debate now 10:07.

Anonymous said...

10:07 I disagree. I remember during H1N1 virus, principals lied about transmission numbers in schools. Do you think this will be different? Look at schools in Brooklyn and Bronx that were denying in March.

Pete Zucker said...

@9:34 aka Chris

Dang. Funny, funny stuff. Go find a job. But anytime you want to come out of the hiding behind your “anonymity” feel free to engage me as a grown up. I’m ready and willing.

Anonymous said...

Lol. The utter chaos ensues. NEW from @NYCSchools chancellor: NOT a guarantee that your child’s remote teacher will be someone from their school. Might not be enough folks available for that.

Anonymous said...

And another, get ready. UNC-Chapel Hill says it will halt in-person classes after coronavirus outbreak on campus

Anonymous said...

"Perhaps I can gain 25 pounds in the next 3 weeks so I can qualify for the accommodation. Being overweight is better than attempting to live with covid-19. "




RUHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! That's what I've been saying, we are being punished for exercising and eating right!!!!!


RUHHH!!!!!

Anonymous said...

James, the Commissioner of Education in Albany is seldom discussed on this blog. Dr. Betty A. Rosa has resigned as the Chancellor of the Board of Regents to become the new Interim Commissioner of Education. She can overrule any school superintendent or board of education in the State of New York, including the Chancellor, regarding school reopening or any other matter, except as limited by law.

Visit http://counsel.nysed.gov and learn how to file an appeal with the Commissioner under Education Law §310 within thirty days of the making of the decision or the performance of the act complained of.

Anonymous said...

www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/08/17/unc-chapel-hill-covid-cases-fall-semester-online-classes/3383874001

Anonymous said...

Like JP said, the plan seems to be bring them to school, get them all infected, send them home.

nerd said...

Anonymous 3:12. was that actually on twitter?

MissQTee said...

Overwhelmng !!! dpn't fall for this insanity !!! on line school, or home teach !!!

Anonymous said...

Yes nerd on twitter