Friday, March 19, 2021

MULGREW RESPONDS TO NEW CDC 3 FEET DISTANCING GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS

 Dear __________,

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today released updated guidance saying only three feet of distance is required between students as long as everyone is wearing a mask.

While we understand that the availability of vaccines and new information have prompted policies and guidance to continually evolve, we want to consult with our trusted independent medical experts and have asked them to evaluate this new recommendation.

Once the CDC puts out recommended guidance, it’s then up to each state to decide whether or not to adopt it as policy. New York City does not have the authority to change its policy for public schools on its own. We will be working with New York State health and education officials as they decide how to proceed.

Under the updated CDC guidance, school staff must still maintain six feet of distance from other adults and from students. The guidance also says students must maintain six feet of distance in any public area, such as gyms, hallways and lunchrooms. The agency recommends keeping students and teachers in distinct cohorts throughout the day. In middle schools and high schools where community transmission is higher, the CDC advises students to stay six feet apart if cohorting is not possible.

As a public school educator, you know that it would be extremely complicated to implement such a plan in New York City public schools. The DOE would have a lot to figure out.

Our members’ safety remains our top priority, and we will continue to be guided by our medical experts as we navigate the road ahead. By letting the science guide us, we have kept our school communities safe.

We will continue to advocate for you and keep you informed of policy decisions that affect you.

Be well and be safe.

Sincerely,

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Teachers should say that before they are willing to put lives at risk they want the spring break money and a documented report from uft doctors. Or refuse to go in. The doe broke contract, forced us to work for free and now are putting our lives at risk. Certainly that is grounds to strike and for a judge to look at the contract. And there is always opt out in June.

Anonymous said...

3 feet between students in classrooms. 6 feet between students in hallways and when eating. 6 feet between students and adults at all times. huh? what? how? but really, huh?

Anonymous said...

I do believe covid is real and we all have to take precautions, but we also need to start opening up our schools and city to recover financially.

Wear the masks, wash your hands.

The issues come when protocols aren’t followed.

8-10 kids in a room wearing masks is not going to cause an outbreak.

Also, when you help a kid with their work, you are right next to them. This 3-6 foot thing isn’t going to take place.

I’m in person and enjoying it.

Only the kids who want to be there are coming in. This is a teacher’s fantasy. Kids who care!

Anonymous said...

Mulgrew is toxic and deadly.

Anonymous said...

Mulgrew, and his fan club the UFT, completely distance themselves from their members - socially and professionally. Anything, other than completely distanced, is hypocrisy. If the UFT want teachers back in the classroom, then they should get their fat asses back into 52 Broadway - otherwise it should be, ‘Shut Up, Mulgrew and Please Go Away’. Put that on some tee shirts.

nerd said...

It’s the “new math.”