There's hope a new federal recommendation will stem Covid 19 cases in Texas kids
It is expected kids 12 to 15 will start getting the Pfizer shot Wednesday. Zeph Capo, president of the Texas American Federation of Teachers says "It's good news to me. I'm glad to hear it. I hope most parents are as well". He hopes will get start to move towards a new normal. "I certainly hope so. That is definitively everyone's goal, to get to that level, particularly with our students who are more susceptible, our high school students and others."
A study by researchers from the University of Kentucky studied the effect of school reopenings in Texas last fall. Researchers said schools could be safely reopened if community spread was low and public health guidelines were adhered to. But Texas schools reopened when community transmission was high and too many students made social distancing difficult, if not impossible. Capo says "we're just now starting to see reports that despite what people said, returning to school too soon is starting to be linked with the spread of the Coronavirus. We were told that wasn't the case and as a matter of fact we were chastised a bit for wanting to be cautious."
The study implied that Texas school reopenings led to at least 43,000 additional covid cases and 800 virus related deaths within the first two months. "The studies are just now happening and we still would like to make sure we are going forward with caution. Hopeful. Let's get everyone vaccinated, adults and now 12 to 15 year old and ensure we are keeping a wide eye to the safety of everyone."
He notes not everyone will choose to get vaccinated and says some employees have chosen not to get the shots.
