Castro Valley Teachers Vaccine: Educators in CA 1B Tier One
CASTRO VALLEY, CA —When Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week that all residents 65 and older are now eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine, it set off a flurry of activity for Castro Valley residents trying to get a vaccine.
In addition to people 65 and older, 1B Tier One comprises thousands of other Castro Valley residents and millions across the state. According to the latest guidance published on the state website, 1B Tier One includes the following:
Individuals 65 and older
Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors:
The only people higher on the vaccine list are health care workers and long-term care residents.
>> Castro Valley Vaccine: Register For Alameda County Notification
Vaccinating teachers and others who work in schools is seen as a vital step toward safely reopening schools for in-class instruction. Earlier this month, the nation’s largest teacher’s union, the National Education Association, called for prioritizing teachers.
"Every single student, educator and parent in America has spent the past 10 months in a state of anxiety over the COVID-19 pandemic and what it’s done to our school communities," NEA President Becky Pringle said. "There is no replacement for the in-person connection between our students and their educators."
Schools have been closed since last March, except for a few that received waivers from the state. Some students have adapted to distance learning, but elementary school-age children and students with special needs have had it especially hard.
Pringle pointed out the effect school closures have had on families and the economy. "Most parents either cannot work, are forced to work and leave children unattended, or are trying to juggle working from home with child care," she said. "We know that student learning has declined. More children are now living in poverty, and too many students are dealing with mental health issues, food and housing insecurity, abuse or neglect, or sickness or death of loved ones. Our students need to come back to school safely. Educators want to welcome them back, and no one should have to risk their health to make this a reality."
The latest data on vaccines through Wednesday shows that 4.2 million doses of coronavirus vaccine have been ordered and shipped in California. Just 1.6 million doses have been given. As the vaccine is administered in two doses, much of the unused vaccine is being held for second doses. California's population is around 40 million, which means that 80 million doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine will be needed. However, if another vaccine is approved that requires only one dose, the logistics of vaccinating the entire state could be cut in half.
Castro Valley has seen 2,030 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. In Alameda County, there have been 69,107 cases and 842 deaths.
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This article originally appeared on the Castro Valley Patch
