White House declares teachers essential workers

Transcript

The White House is declaring teachers essential workers.

Essential worker declaration means teachers can continue working even after exposure as long as they are not showing symptoms.

However Friday Vice President Mike Pence said that it is not a mandate.

It was likely done in an attempt to keep schools open.

The American Federation of teachers says the designation could be used to bully educators.

The union’s president says teachers have always been essential but questioned why White House doesn’t commit resources to help keep them safe.

In New York, Los Angeles and Chicago teachers’ unions have demanded more Covid-19 protections in schools.

The declaration comes as at least 15 states have reported positive coronavirus cases at universities.

Posted – 8.21.20