Biden called on all states to vaccinate teachers by the end of March
President Biden said Tuesday he is calling on all states to prioritize teachers for COVID-19 vaccinations so that all teachers and school staff will have received at least one dose by the end of March.
“My challenge to all states, territories, and the District of Columbia is this: We want every educator, school staff member, child care worker to receive at least one shot by the end of the month of March,” Biden said.
He noted that more than 30 states have already prioritized teachers for vaccinations, but said he is using the “full authority of the federal government” in “directing every state to do the same.”
The politics: Biden has been under intense criticism from Republicans for not doing enough to urge schools to reopen, given evidence that they can do so safely with precautions like mask-wearing and distancing.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in guidance last month that teacher vaccinations “should not be considered a condition” for reopening schools.
Biden acknowledged this, but pointed to “anxieties” among teachers and parents.
The good news is vaccine supply is increasing, meaning the end of the pandemic is in reach, even though it won’t happen immediately. But governors are tired of waiting, and are lifting restrictions now.
The governors of both Texas and Mississippi on Tuesday said they are lifting most of their states’ remaining coronavirus restrictions, including statewide mask mandates and capacity restrictions on businesses.
In their respective announcements, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) emphasized personal responsibility. The government would no longer tell people what to do, but they should continue with smart behaviors anyway.
“It is now time to open Texas 100 percent,” Abbott said.
According to Reeves, “the governor’s office is getting out of the business of telling people what they can and can’t do.”
When Abbott imposed the mask mandate in July, there were 7,434 new cases and 44 deaths. On March 1, there were 8,140 new cases and 129 deaths.
Mississippi had 199 new cases, but no deaths.
The announcements come after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky said she was concerned states were lifting restrictions too early, but the Biden administration has so far been reluctant to call out any states by name.
