News Update

Teachers union TV ads call for vaccines, safety measures before reopening schools

The California Teachers Association launched an advertising campaign today calling for teachers to be prioritized for vaccinations and for improved ventilation, Covid-19 testing and tracing, and adequate social distancing to be in place before schools reopen.

The television ads are coming out as Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators continue to work out a deal on reopening California schools.

“The Covid-19 virus is still a very real and widespread threat,” said CTA President E. Toby Boyd. “While the pandemic has been a challenge for students, their families, and educators, no one wants to be back with their students more than California teachers and education support professionals. Reopening schools and classrooms before it’s safe to do so will put people at risk and lead to classroom closures and quarantined staff, students and, in some cases, entire schools. Schools must have the resources they need for layers of protection that include prioritizing educators for vaccine distribution.”

The advertising campaign, in both English and Spanish, is the latest effort by the union to communicate its position on reopening to legislators and the public.

Friday the union hosted a press conference that included parents who live in areas in the state with the highest infection rates, expressing concern about reopening schools.