Resolution 210130

..Title Supporting the City's plan to prioritize vaccinations for returning teachers, administrators, and school employees at large, and urging the City to follow through on the plan in a responsible and efficient manner in order to regain public trust. ..Body WHEREAS, On Monday, February 9, the City announced a partnership with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to vaccinate all teachers and school staff at the end of February; and WHEREAS, The City says the plan will cover all district, charter, independent, and parochial schools, and include teachers and staff that reside outside of Philadelphia but work in a City school; and WHEREAS, There has been national concern over the potentially irreparable effects on the cognitive and social development of children while they remain out of school; and WHEREAS, President Biden recently said that long-term school closures constituted a national emergency, adding, "I think it's time for schools to reopen safely... I think they're going through a lot, these kids"; and WHEREAS, The detrimental effects of school closures have disproportionally impacted low-income students that may not have internet access, and may rely on going to school for safety or food; and WHEREAS, Many private and parochial schools in Philadelphia have been back in the classroom for months, while district students have been falling behind; and WHEREAS, It is important to vaccinate all teachers and staff across Philadelphia, but it is vital for the City to move swiftly and efficiently toward getting vaccinations to district teachers and staff so that public school students can get back into the classroom; and WHEREAS, With the district aiming to bring back 9,000 students on February 22, there is no time to waste in putting this plan into action; and WHEREAS, The public has complied with ongoing public health restrictions in order to protect one another until vaccines are ready to be distributed; and WHEREAS, That moment has arrived, and the City must work to regain public trust in its ability to appropriately distribute its supply of vaccines following recent missteps; and WHEREAS, There are few tasks more important than getting our children back in the classroom, and vaccinating our educators is the light at the end of the tunnel; and WHEREAS, The City should be commended for unveiling a plan to inoculate our teachers, and they must now deliver on their promise; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby supports the City's plan to prioritize vaccinations for returning teachers, administrators, and school employees at large, and urges the City to follow through on the plan in a responsible and efficient manner in order to regain public trust. ..End