SANTA FE- National Education Association – New Mexico President Mary Parr-Sanchez announced her support for requirements that all educators receive a COVID-19 vaccination or submit to regular COVID-19 testing.
“Educators across the State have expressed their excitement of being back in the classroom with their students
and they also have been very clear about not jeopardizing the safety of their communities amid the resurgence of the COVID Delta variant. NEA-NM has been firm on our stance that we must follow the New Mexico Department of Health and the New Mexico Public Education Department’s guidance during this pandemic.”
“Becky Pringle, our national President, pointed out that educators’ belief in the essential role vaccines play in the safety of our school communities is evidenced by the nearly 90 percent of NEA members who report that they are fully vaccinated. Simply put, educators overwhelmingly favor vaccinations to keep our schools safe with the understanding that we support regular COVID-19 testing in lieu of vaccination for those not yet vaccinated or those for whom vaccination is not medically appropriate or effective.”
“NEA-NM is committed to assure that school employees accommodations continue to be provided.
Paid leave and both vaccinations and testing sites should remain readily available. Educator voice, including collective bargaining, is critical in keeping all schools safe.”
“Working to keep our schools safe is something we owe to students, parents, educators and our communities. NEA-NM agrees with our National President in that educators must continue to play an active role in developing other mitigation systems—including testing, tracing, masking, distancing, hand washing, ventilation, cleaning, and disinfection."
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