(TheBlaze) – The teachers union of Fairfax County in Virginia wants schoolchildren to learn from home for the rest of the school year until August 2021.
“Science and Health Safety data support and require that no one should return to in-person instruction until there is a widely available scientifically proven vaccine or highly effective treatment” for COVID-19, the Fairfax Education Association wrote in a letter-campaign addressed to the Fairfax County school board and superintendent.
“The metric for Safe Reopening should be 14 days of zero community spread,” the letter stated. In addition to closing schools through the 2020-21 school year, the teachers union demanded that limited reopening be attempted only if “all buildings” are equipped with “HVAC Merv-13 filters,” if all staff is provided with “Medical Grade PPE” including N95 masks, goggles, face shields, and more, and if COVID-19 testing is available for staff.
The Fairfax County teacher’s union wants all public schools closed at least until August 2021. @FCPSSupt pic.twitter.com/CuLCXRCGOV
— Rory Cooper (@rorycooper) October 20, 2020
“Since none of the requirements for safe return are likely to be met in the foreseeable future of the 2020-21 school year we reiterate: Keep Fairfax County Public Schools Virtual for the 2020-21 school year,” the letter concluded. The Washington Free Beacon reported that Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand last week published an update for parents explaining when and how in-person learning in schools will resume.
The plan is to begin in-person instruction for small groups of students who are having the most difficulty with distance learning. “We will follow strict safety and health protocols to minimize health risks for students and staff,” the school said. READ MORE
