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'The current status quo is not enough' | Duval County educators' group demands 'surplus' of PPE, better contact tracing

Duval CORE held the press conference Tuesday afternoon in front of the DCPS administration building ahead of the regular school board meeting.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A group of teachers, parents and students demanded the Duval County Public Schools do more to protect students and teachers from COVID-19 during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

The news conference was hosted by Duval Coalition of Rank (and File) Educators, also known as "Duval CORE." 

'The current status quo is not working," Monique Sampson, a Duval County American history teacher, said in her remarks that opening the news conference.

Sampson, who is pregnant, said she came down with COVID-19 shortly after winter break. She described her experience as the "worst couple of days of my life," and said she feared for her unborn baby's life.

"We are not sacrificial lambs to the district," she said. "We are not sacrificial lambs to the governor. We demand mitigation strategies and safety measures to be put in place so nobody has to choose between themselves, their family and a profession they love."

The teacher also told the gathered media her students "are experiencing COVID at a very high rate."

This was echoed by parents and an 8th grade student who spoke at the press conference. The student also talked about the challenges students faced with the ever-revolving door of teachers who have to be absent due to COVID-19.

"My first and second period teachers are out right now with COVID," the student said. "We don't have any substitutes."

She said the lack of protections for both students and teachers is unfair to the students hoping to make it through the year.

The last to speak was teacher Monica Gold, who listed the Duval CORE's three demands to the district.

The first demand is that personal protection equipment (PPE) be distributed to all Duval County teachers, including KN95 masks. The teachers also demand PPE be made available to give to students as well.

"The teachers should have a surplus of masks," Gold said. "Not cloth masks; they should have KN95s in their classrooms."

Secondly, the teachers demand that both teachers and students be made aware of their exposure to COVID-19. This demand comes after Duval County Public Schools told families the district would send one letter per class per week notifying parents of possible exposure to COVID-19.

Gold stated the district has the power and resources to do contact tracing that would allow parents and teachers to determine the best course of action if they or their child are exposed to the virus.

"Teachers shouldn't have to be playing a guessing game about their own health," Gold said. 

Lastly, the teachers demand there be a district-wide vaccination campaign that includes vaccine busses and information sent home with students about the available vaccines. The campaign will take the place of Wellness Wednesday. 

Gold cited the success of schools advocating the polio vaccine as to why polio was eradicated. She also said the district should offer incentives to students who choose to get vaccinated.

Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene called the Department of Health's decision to suspend contact tracing 'disappointing' and noted cases are decreasing throughout the district.

The board didn't vote on any of the teacher's demands Tuesday, as educators vow to continue to push for more clarity and transparency.

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