Louisiana Federation of Teachers, President Larry Carter
Beginning today those 65 and older are now eligible to be vaccinated for COVID in Louisiana, however, some feel that K-12 educators and school employees should also be prioritized. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter said we owe it to teachers to keep them safe.
“One of the greatest things we see in our schools is this fear of either contracting the virus or someone inadvertently transmitting the virus to someone else,” said Carter.
Recognizing that the demand for vaccines far outweighs the supply, Carter said as the state begins to receive an increase in weekly doses, the 166,000 schoolteachers and employees should be given priority.
Carter and State Senator Cleo Fields have written the Governor asking that Louisiana follow the lead of other states and allow teachers to be vaccinated.
“We’re going to continue to apply that kind of pressure to ask and request that we be moved up into the line to really help mitigate any underlying circumstances that would prevent schools from reopening,” said Carter.
Carter said some teachers have made the difficult choice not to return to the classroom due to their own underlying health conditions or fear that they will carry the virus to family members.
The constant uncertainty of students being either in or out of the classroom has also forced many parents to change or leave their jobs to ensure someone is home to care for their child.
“I think if we can get those employees vaccinated, we can open up the economy, we can open up more schools for in-person teaching a learning,” said Carter.
Carter said the Federation also plans to write and call members of the legislature on behalf of members to give them the maximum protection from the virus as soon as possible.
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