Since the beginning of the pandemic, NEA-NH has advocated for protocols and precautions to ensure the safety of our students and educators.
15 months ago, that meant our support for temporary remote learning as PPE and cleaning equipment was purchased and procedures for their use implemented. Every day, we continue to advocate for repairs, upgrades and replacement of antiquated HVAC systems in many of our schools. We supported mandatory mask wearing for every in-person learning session. And we spoke out strongly for educators to be able to receive vaccines as soon as possible to help get our kids back into classrooms where they belong. We continue to urge all our members to get vaccinated.
The fact remains that children under 12 are unable to be vaccinated, and the delta variant has had a dramatic impact on the community transmission rate of COVID-19. We believe educators should do everything possible to protect the children in their care.
The CDC now has evidence that vaccinated persons can indeed pass the virus to unvaccinated children and is recommending that everyone inside a school setting wear a mask. Dr. Fauci, the nation’s leading expert on infectious diseases, recently stated that all educators should be vaccinated to help protect our children and went so far as to say this should be mandated.
“Whether Governor Sununu issues such a mandate or not, we are urging all of our members to get vaccinated if they have not already done so and to wear masks in the classroom and in the presence of students as schools starts this year,” said Megan Tuttle, NEA-New Hampshire President.
“For more than 165 years, our members have striven to put the best interest of our students at the center of everything we do,” said Tuttle. “Getting a vaccine and wearing a mask in the classroom until our kids can get vaccinated continue to be the best way we can help keep them safe.”