NCAE News Bulletin
5
Members Share on Being Prioritized for the COVID-19 Vaccine
Last month, Governor Cooper prioritized COVID-19 vaccinations for all educators in North Carolina beginning on February 24, a decision in which NCAE played an instrumental role. We know that many of you have returned to in-person learning in some capacity (some after nearly a year away from your schools), and that your main concern has always been the safety of your students and yourselves. We wanted to know your thoughts on being prioritized for the vaccine, if you feel more comfortable knowing that you and your colleagues will be vaccinated, and if you plan to receive the vaccine. Here are some of the comments you shared:
“I definitely want to take the vaccine. In January, nine educators at our school developed COVID. We all wear masks and stay home except for visiting the grocery store. Having COVID was awful! I don’t want to contract it again. I will feel much better about teaching once I have the vaccine.” – Ruth Ashe, Ashe County “I am pleased that Governor Cooper moved North Carolina public school employees up the COVID-19 prioritization list, and I do plan to get the vaccine as soon as possible. The vaccination of North Carolina public school employees will not only help protect all of the adults and students in our school buildings, but also our vulnerable family members, who too often have gone without consideration in the school reopening plans. I am, however, concerned about the significant time gap between the employees receiving the vaccine and the reopening of our public school systems for in-person instruction. As a person with health conditions, I would be predisposed to severe COVID complications or death if I should contract the virus. As the caregiver to an elderly immunocompromised patient, I still find this risk unacceptable.” – Laura Perdue, Alamance/Burlington “I definitely plan to get the vaccine, however, this should have been prioritized early on. I am disappointed that it took so long for Governor Cooper to make educators a priority. We know everyone wants students back in person, so why wasn’t this done sooner? Also, due to the fact that no one is coordinating uniformly, most educators still will not be able to receive their vaccine until late March if that is even possible. Bring a ‘vaccine mobile’ to schools and get them expedited!” – Tiffany Jones, New Hanover County “I cannot tell you how relieved I am feeling knowing that I will be vaccinated soon. I teach high school. Our sixth-12th grades have been on Plan B all year. My school is small so this has allowed us to follow all CDC guidelines. I felt safe the entire first semester. However, the grade level I am teaching this semester seems to be the age where students are catching the virus. We have not had school spread but my students are contracting the virus outside of school. On February 15, six weeks into the semester, was the first time I met with my entire second period because of quarantines. I do feel the virus is getting closer and closer and I am more apprehensive than ever.” – Jeanie Robinson, Caldwell County “I do not plan to take the COVID vaccine. I feel I need to wait longer to see what the long-term effects are. I personally don’t think we should return to in-person instruction with students. It’s been reported that the COVID or strands of the virus does affect children. I know that some of my colleagues will get the shot and some won’t. I think it’s a personal decision and plan to take every precaution to keep myself and family safe, even if that means retiring early.” – Yolanda Barefoot, Cumberland County “I will be much less anxious after I am vaccinated. I want to be in person but am so nervous about getting sick. We are so close to being able to get vaccinations that it seems irresponsible to send us back without that protection. The state needs to show that it values educators by guaranteeing our vaccinations before opening.” – Beth Sanderson, Durham County
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