WHY FILL OUT MULGREW'S SURVEY ON COVID-19 VACCINE WHEN YOU CAN JUST GO TO THE NYCHHC WEBSITE AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A COVID-19 VACCINE FOR YOURSELF?

There is something you can count on with the government of New York City, particularly if it involves the New York City Department of Education and the UFT: Anything they do will be a mess.

Michael Mulgrew and Richard Carranza sent out emails saying priority for COVID-19 vaccines will go to those who work in person in schools. However, thanks to leads from UFT Solidarity and South Bronx School, we have been informed that any education worker can go directly to the New York City Health and Hospitals website and make an appointment for a vaccine.  

Try this link yourself.

Mulgrew said in his email:

UFT members working in the schools right now will receive priority in our matching process, but we plan to move quickly to match all UFT members who wish to receive the vaccine with a provider. Our goal is to ensure that no vaccine is left sitting on the shelf.

South Bronx School says:

But according to what I was told "if you are 1B  (see list below) you won't be turned away."

This is what it says on the HHC site:

Eligibility:

The following groups are eligible to seek vaccination in accordance with the New York State (NYS) Department of Health prioritization plan:

• Workers in ambulatory care settings not affiliated with a hospital, including primary care, behavioral health, phlebotomy, physical and occupational therapy, specialty clinics, and dialysis centers
  • Includes all workers with direct contact with patients in ambulatory settings, including licensed health care workers, receptionists, and environmental staff
• Funeral workers with direct contact with infectious materials and bodily fluids
• Healthcare workers at COVID-testing sites
• Public health workers with direct patient care responsibilities
• Home care workers and aides, hospice workers, personal care aides, and consumer-directed personal care workers
• Teachers and education workers
• First responders
• Public safety workers
• Public transit workers
• People ages 75 and older

Please note that it does not differentiate between teachers working at home with an accommodation and those working in school buildings. South Bronx School thinks those who have medical conditions should receive vaccines first. 

The city, the DOE, and UFT knew this vaccine was coming soon as early as last summer and this is the best they could do for getting people vaccinated. It is hard to believe that a Tweet from Solidarity sends people to make their own appointments to get vaccinated and all the UFT has is to fill out a survey and wait.