Mayor Bill de Blasio has shown that he does not have a clue when it comes to the coronavirus and the schools. By canceling after school activities, he admits that we have to do more to stop the virus from spreading. However, by keeping public schools open in the day, he is contradicting his argument.
I work a part-time job now where I am in three separate schools and I drop my kids off and pick them up each day at their NYC school. The kids apparently have not received the memo about "social distancing."
This is from the CDC:
• Implement social distancing measures:
» Increasing physical space between workers
at the worksite
» Staggering work schedules
» Decreasing social contacts in the workplace
(e.g., limit in-person meetings, meeting for
lunch in a break room, etc.)
For the kids I saw this week, it's business as usual. Nothing different is occurring. I witnessed in the last two days students hugging, kissing, wrestling, sitting on top of each other and more. No social distancing. Kids are being kids. This is no joke; lives may be at risk if we stay open.
What should we do? Some are saying we should bombard the city's 311 lines with calls telling the mayor to close the schools. Okay, do that and sign the UFT's petition to de Blasio to close schools. I also think we should go right over the mayor's head and pressure the state.
Call Governor Andrew Cuomo and tell him it's time to close the schools. I just called and told the person answering that Cuomo must act like governors in other states by closing schools.
For those who want the Governor's phone number, it is:
(518) 474-8390.
Make your voice heard parents and teachers!
69 comments:
I just called and asked them to make DeBlasio follow the state of emergency directives Cuomo issued. I work in a school with 1000 kids. No social distancing possible. Way over 500. Over crowded classrooms, and mine has no windows and is brutally hot year round. I won't be in for awhile, good thing I have many days in my car. You can also leave a message too. I did both.
Watching the asshole Mayor right now. He is insane. L.A. San Diego...everywhere else!!!! Fuck all we have to call out enmasse. I know at least half of the staff at my school is gonna be home ALL NEXT WEEK!! Wake up !!!!!You will have no choice eventually!
Due to the seriousness of the impact that COVID 19 has imposed on NYC, and in the best interest of students, staff and parents, the UFT is asking that members call 311 and insist that the city close NYC Public schools in an effort to contain this pandemic.
I just called. Press 2 and then 1 to leave a message.
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
·
31m
At my request, effective midnight tonight, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and MSC have all agreed to suspend outbound cruises for thirty days. It is a great and important industry – it will be kept that way!
CALL TO ACTION: If you think the mayor is putting us and our families at risk by sending us into the front lines of the virus in school buildings, please TEXT 311-692 to let the city know. If you believe that schools should close in order to prevent the spread of this very dangerous virus, let them hear you. There are other solutions for students in need of food, shelter, and tech for remote learning that don’t involve mass gatherings of teachers and students in a single space.
Cuomo is passing the buck. Deferring to de Blasio. Something not right about this.
The Douche Mayor has just declared if we call in he will suspend us!!!
Just called, told him he owns every death related to his refusal to close schools and will be held accountable politically next election.
DiBlasios message is children dont matter, they need to be housed and fed so their parents can work to pay their taxes. Teachers matter even less, as their primary role is to babysit. NYC teachers should give him a few days to act and if nothing then call out en masse.
.
@NYCMayor
: Teachers are not martyrs. Neither are custodians. We have families, children, elderly or sick relatives. Do not put us in harms way for your convenience. PLUS, closing schools will help reduce infections & deaths overall. Listen to the science
Pretty clear the mayor doesnt give a damn about our health, even in the most serious of situations. Either this is dangerous or it isnt.
Uft created a petition. Please sign and get everyone to sign. http://chng.it/WjHKZdcGnP
Im in a transfer school, always poor attendance...Today, about 20%
Link to uft petition is in the posting. We signed it and support it.
Parents took matters into their own hands. Only 68 percent of students showed up to school on Friday, down from 85 percent on Thursday, attendance data showed.
At Wagner HS on Staten Island, only 1,000 of the school’s 4,000 students showed up for class.
China has maintained strict control of peoples movements in major cities. The South Korea testing model is harder for China due to its massive, urban population, which is why it is so important to keep those cities fairly inoculated.
From on the ground accounts in Beijing, that inoculation requires school closures, no movies, no malls, no non-essential businesses open and most bank branches closed.
Businesses close at 6pm to get sprayed with disinfectant. Street fumigation takes place regularly. Building sterilization takes place several times a day.
That is from Forbes but deBlasio and Cuomo know better. Send us in to school to help spread disease
Please circulate this information from California’s two largest school districts, Los Angeles and San Diego:
https://achieve.lausd.net/latestnews
@8:41:00 PM
De Blasio is in his second term thus a lame duck mayor. He's likely not running for anything after this so he doesn't care what happens to teachers, children, and parents.
This is another glaring demonstration of the failure of mayoral control of schools. If people die because of his stubbornness and ego, he will blame it on teachers somehow.
I can't believe that Gov Cuomo did not follow suit with other governors to cancel school for the safety of children and adults, mind boggling?
I used to run a breakfast/lunch program in the summer during the early early 90s. All you need are prepackaged sandwiches and milk, one distributor, one security agent and one person in charge.
Obviously, the mayor doesn’t want the large criminal element, that the schools warehouse, let loose on a quarantined city to do as they wish.
Imagine the worst.
https://www.facebook.com/dominique.simone.927/posts/10104516001024817
Please share this post.
Mayor Bill de Blasio I’ve decided to rate you on the same scale teachers are rated on.
Domain 1: planning and preparation
You say that you have been preparing since January, but there are no systems in place for educating, feeding or keeping students safe? There are no measures put in place for teachers safety. You clearly have not designed coherent instruction for the teachers to follow in these trying times. Students are not receiving quality instruction when more than half are absent (both staff and students).
Domain 1: INEFFECTIVE
Domain 2: RESPECT! LOL you have shown you have no respect for professionals, staff members, students, parents. There is no respect on either side at this point. As far as establishing a culture for learning: nope. This is a culture of fear and panic. Students cannot learn under these conditions. We are sitting ducks.
Domain 2: INEFFECTIVE
Domain 3: Instruction: instead of putting plans in place for remote learning. Instead of providing teachers with the tools they would need to successfully teach from a safe environment and have students learn in a safe environment, students aren’t receiving quality education. New content can not be delivered to less than half a classroom. New content is not being delivered through substitute teachers who don’t have a comprehensive knowledge of the curriculum. Students are not learning as they should be.
Domain 3: INEFFECTIVE
Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities. This made me LOL. As mayor, your professional responsibility is to ensure the safety of the 1.1 million students in our systems as well as the teachers and staff in our school system. You have shown that your professional responsibilities are only toward some and not others. You have proven that teachers DO NOT MATTER.
Domain 4: INEFFECTIVE
Would affected staff be eligible for diasbility if this is the case...???
https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-recovery-damage-lung-function-gasping-air-hong-kong-doctors-2020-3
I was thinking about visiting Yonkers Raceway, but just received an email :
The health and safety of our customers and employees comes first.
While it was a difficult decision, Empire City Casino will suspend operations and temporarily close as of 6:00 a.m. March 14th. We anticipate reopening within 14 days.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Empire City Casino soon.
I applaud their decision. Their employees matter. I’m sure their horses aren’t left to starve, as they must have a small staff to see to their needs. It’s time to for the mayor to emulate Yonkers Raceway in regards to the schools.
Criminal element is right
guess uft really doesnt care if kids are fed as long as the indoctrination continues?
Everyone should copy and paste 11:00 am 's comment to All public officials and every social media outlet.
UFT is calling for schools to be closed but for kids to still be fed. It is the right position.
Student Discipline: He basically admitted on AM Joy that the reason we need to be in session is because parents cannot control their own children. So, how can we even be rated on safe classroom environment if the mayor is implying his constituents can't control their own children.
So our union agreed to disagree
They gave up
Is it time I give up on the union. In my 11 years I’ve never needed them for a disciplinary action, that contract I voted no to sucks, paid maternity is a joke go off payroll and lose time and seniority and now this slap in the face. How much do they take a month just to give up.
Why doesn't Trump close all schools in the country? They closed Alabama schools and they don't have a single case of the virus from what I last saw. They can't suspend us for calling in sick. We get a right to 10 sick days per year. He just doesn't want teachers sitting on their butts and getting paid. It's ironic that NY has the most cases in the country, yet we still have the schools closed. Also what are the parents in Chicago and LA doing? DOn't they have jobs too?
From parent activist Leonie Haimson:
Ny refusing to close schools, the mayor is defying the advice of public health experts, the UfT, the CSA, most parents, most teachers, the City Council Speaker and the Ed and Health committee chairs. Meanwhile at least 14 states and every other large district in the country that I am aware of is closing their schools. NY has more confirmed infections than any other state. There is no explanation I can think of for this irrational behavior. Can you?
deBlasio just admitted he doesn’t want hundreds of thousands of teenagers roaming the city. Teachers are castrated babysitting prison guards. Mulgrew should grow a pair and call a sick out.
The mayor can declare a real emergency to keep non essential people off the streets.
Can't someone override the mayor like the commissioner of health? I can't believe he said the thing about kids on the streets. What does the city do on weekends, summers and other vacations? This is how he feels about city kids? I'd be insulted. Also everyone on their school surveys needs to put strongly disagree for the section about the NYC doe.
James, he’s not willing to quarantine hundreds of thousands of teens, itching for all kinds of fun, for weeks or maybe months. The cops are probably going to start staying home soon. Then the National Guard will have to be placed. DeBlasio is trying to avoid that, unfortunately at teachers’ expense.
New York City teachers are calling for a “mass sickout” on Wednesday in response to Mayor de Blasio’s insistence on keeping public schools open amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Twitter postings calling for the sickout started appearing Friday, with nervous teachers consulting colleagues about taking the drastic action to protect themselves and their families.
“We’ve talked about it,” one told The Post on Saturday, adding that his union chapter is holding a meeting on Monday to vote yes or not to join the sickout.
“Other teachers I know have said they will call out,” he said.
Each NYC teacher gets 10 days of paid “self-treated” sick leave without a doctor’s note.
In an appearance on MSNBC on Saturday, Mayor de Blasio stuck to his guns about keeping schools open.
Closure would cause “a cascading effect,” impacting the subways and hospitals because transit and health-care workers would stay home with kids, de Blasio said.
He also noted that hundreds of thousands of teenagers would be left unsupervised, and could be unsafe or get in trouble on the street.
Closure would cause “a cascading effect,” impacting the subways and hospitals because transit and health-care workers would stay home with kids, de Blasio said.
It is a pandemic you idiot. It is time to shut NYC down.
@bronx ATR...so how many students did you serve?
They can also have a curfew for people under 18.
Call out sick. Grow a pair so that the mayor will know that the teachers are NOT afraid. Just do it!!!
In what universe does someone allow a government official to dictate how they protect their child? Keep your children home. Deal with the consequences of your decision when the danger has been removed.
As I said before, let's take some pictures and even make some videos (students' cafeteria or classrooms for feeding or whatever). Post them or send them to James. James can make some of them public. Once the public is aware of what is really like in our schools, we will win. Most parents in their right mind would never want their kids to be in those crowds.
Remember, keep a 6-12 foot distance from students on Monday.
DeBlasio is currently getting ripped to shreds on Twitter.
Left message
Haha. Next you could leave a message about the open market transfer and 1.4% raises over the last 11 years, and the no interest retro, will get nothing done...
"Grow a pair" waitingforsupport?
A pair of what?
Besides aren't you retired? And I thought you cared deeply about the children!
You do sound brave though I must say.
And:
"In what universe does someone allow a government official to dictate how they protect their child(?)"
It's your leftist universe, the same one where government feeds, "educates," houses and provides healthcare for children and everyone else. And the same one who will take away your means of protecting your children.
It's a universe you support, if only you would reflect on it for a moment. It's why you are still waiting instead of supporting yourself.
The left-right politics is not needed on this thread. We should be united to save lives.
All I can add is I wish we had guaranteed healthcare so everyone could get help without worrying about cost.
And having China manufacture our drugs might not be such a good idea.
https://saraacarter-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/saraacarter.com/coronavirus-china-has-us-by-the-throat-majority-of-u-s-drugs-manufactured-off-shore/amp/?amp_js_v=a3&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQFKAGwASA%3D#aoh=15842276354123&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fsaraacarter.com%2Fcoronavirus-china-has-us-by-the-throat-majority-of-u-s-drugs-manufactured-off-shore%2F
I raised 3 children and worked with hundreds of others. I don't believe that the vast majority of them, understanding the seriousness of the situation, would be out on the streets causing trouble. Most of them would be home caring for younger brothers and sisters or listening to their family's safety plans.
I remember on September 11, students all wanted to call their families to make sure that they were safe. (I was in a room with a phone at the time.) I also remember the stream of parents who came up to the school to pick up their kids early.
During my car ride home that day, I saw the US fighter jets overhead and a wave of relief washed over me.
This is a different type of emergency. I can't believe that the city and the state has not formulated some type of plan.
#3:53: are you advocating taking pics of empty classrooms and/or cafeterias? What do you think it will prove? I KNOW you are not advocating taking pictures of students in those spaces. You will be sued and hopefully not get arrested and spend time in the pokey where Covid 19 will be awaiting.
I think you overestimate the students.
@6:54pm: A pair of testicles. Or gather up some courage. Or use your voice...
Yes I am very much retired and enjoying it. I like popping on to this site to read the news and add my opinion. I hope you don't mind. I love the children. Yes. Sure do. My universe isn't leftist. You are wrong--as usual. Im waiting for weak folks like you to come from behind your little curtain or out from under your pebble and fight for something. Don't just post, do something. Looking at one another ahem "waiting" for someone to make a move: YOU SHOULF MAKE A DAMN MOVE AND LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY. I am not going to address the "instead of supporting yourself". Think whatever. I just pop in to ahem learn.
@7:48pm: I agree with you. In times of an emergency we must do what is best for not only our family but for our community,city,state,country and world. I just hope they formulate a plan for triaging the ill. Please be safe people. Stay home if you are worried. You have to look out for the well being of your family. Some folks may be underestimating parents--especially your mayor.
Message from a NYC principal: “Our custodians have been diluting the soap with water because there isn’t enough. It barely makes bubbles. Most cleaning supplies are bought by teachers/paras & with limited supply now in stores it’s harder to supply their classrooms & their homes”
5 Largest cities in the US and the status of their schools amid #COVIDー19 :
New York: Open**
LA: closed
Chicago: closed
Houston: closed
Phoenix: many closed
Philly: closed
The union did not directly say whether it supports the sickout. But in a statement, president Michael Mulgrew said, “The mayor’s reckless refusal to close the schools has created a climate of fear. Public health demands the closure of our schools now.”
On Friday, which was also a half-day for many schools, day-over-day student attendance dropped from 85% to 68%. An average of 3.9% of teachers did not show up to work this week, compared to 1.6% this week last year, according to the education department. (Teacher attendance data can lag, the department noted.)
@8:25: We are all entitled to our opinion.
Of course, just realize when schools close the students will not be home, they will be out and probably be doing bad things.
This is an email I received from the District 20 rep about mass sick out. It is extremely disappointing.
"A mass sick out is considered a job action and violates the Taylor law. We can use our collective voice in a more powerful way, without leaving students in schools without teachers and putting ourselves at risk for legal penalties.
Sign the petition, call 311, expose what is really happening in schools, and join forces with parents and our community. Together we can bring intense pressure down on the Mayor and succeed!
Share the petition http://chng.it/WjHKZdcGnP with parents and community members. Keep calling and posting. This is what union activism looks like.
And just a little FYI, President Mulgrew made the following statement to the press today, March 14: "The mayor's reckless refusal to close the schools has created a climate of fear. Public health demands the closure of our schools now," Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers.
Ellen"
This is an email I received from the district 20 rep regarding mass sick out. It is extremely disappointing.
"A mass sick out is considered a job action and violates the Taylor law. We can use our collective voice in a more powerful way, without leaving students in schools without teachers and putting ourselves at risk for legal penalties.
Sign the petition, call 311, expose what is really happening in schools, and join forces with parents and our community. Together we can bring intense pressure down on the Mayor and succeed!
Share the petition http://chng.it/WjHKZdcGnP with parents and community members. Keep calling and posting. This is what union activism looks like.
And just a little FYI, President Mulgrew made the following statement to the press today, March 14: "The mayor's reckless refusal to close the schools has created a climate of fear. Public health demands the closure of our schools now," Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers.
Ellen"
Forbes has an article about thirty-six NYC SCIENTISTS urging Mayor de Blasio to close NYC public schools due to COVID-19. This mayor does not get it. Is he buying time to get things into place to finally close the schools sytem-wide?
And maybe just maybe some will do good things.
James of course this is political. One word causing all this hysteria..... MEDIA!!
WHO WAS PRESIDENT IN 2009 WITH THE SWINE FLU HMM OBAMA WHO WAS PROTECTED AND SHIELDED LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
ONLY 10 YEATS AGO IT KILLED UP TO 17,000 PEOPLE DIED, 63 MILLION EFFECTED, 1,800 CHILDREN DEAD.
OBAMA DID SUCH A GREAT JOB LOL. HOW COULD THE MEDIA PRAISE HIM FOR THIS WHEN TRUMP HAS DONE TRAVEL BANS.
ALL JANUARY LONG WHEN THIS WAS STARTING THE DEMS WERE FOCUSING ON ONE THING ... IMPEACHMENT! GO LOOK UP THE TIMELINE YOURSELF AND YOU WILL SEE.
We need to do what is needed now to make sure the medical system is not overwhelmed to save lives.
Media hype in Italy where the medical system is overwhelmed? I don't think so.
9:41: You're wrong. A job action has to be authorized or initiated by the Union. If Mulgrew told us to do this, it would be a job action. The fact that a whole lot of teachers are just calling out sick is not a job action. We are allowed 10 sick days. Where does it say in the contract that you can't call out on a day many other teachers would call out? Many people call out on snow days. That's not a job action. We have a legitimate reason to call out. Just say "I've got a cough." They can't ask you for a note unless you are over 10 days. This is why we need to save our sick days.
Anon2323,
Swine flu killed a NYC teacher, so teachers are right to be concerned about COVID 19. You can like the President, but this disease is really killing people. Please stay safe.
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