Last month, the Guam Department of Education held several vaccination clinics to help educators on Guam take steps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. According to GDOE, approximately 1400 employees have received their first does of the vaccine. Two of those educators include GFT’s President and Vice-President, Tim Fedenko and Sanjay Sharma.
“I believe in science and the scientists and doctors have said the vaccine is safe. I want to protect myself, my family, my students, and my co-workers, so I took the shot and I encourage others to do the same. I can’t compliment GDOE enough for how efficient the vaccine process was last week at Tiyan,” Fedenko said.
Many believe that the vaccine is a crucial step in making in-person learning safe. During his first 100 days, President Joe Biden is looking to sign an an Executive Order to reopen schools. Than plan includes increasing testing, making sure more people get tested, and by providing more funding for educational institutions.
“This executive order will produce guidance that embeds and disseminates best practices—based on the science—for safe and effective in-person, remote and hybrid learning. It will source emergency supplies, such as personal protective equipment for schools and childcare providers. It will help establish early warning and screening systems—including testing and contact tracing—and require school districts to consult teachers and their unions to make these plans happen. It will kick-start the equitable rollout of vaccinations and accommodations for educators who need them,” AFT President, Randi Weingarten said.
Weingarten’s full statement can be found here.