Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1337485
shortages and being behind in inoculat- ing the thousands of people in Phase 1A. (In a press conference on Jan. 25, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that start- ing in February, teachers and others in Phase 1B of the state's vaccination pri- ority list could begin to be vaccinated, even in counties where Phase 1A is still being vaccinated.) Educators and others awaiting vac- cines are understandably frustrated, as is Kensrue. "Because IUSD has been in person since fall, our teachers are eager to receive this vaccine, and I am willing to do anything I can to speed up that pro- cess for them," she says. "Our teachers have truly been some of the biggest heroes this year. I have been so inspired by them and their diligence to press on despite the circumstances. It will be an awesome day when I get to give them their vaccine and tell them thank you for hanging in there and taking on the impossible task of supporting students through this pandemic." Medical professionals like Kensrue understand that vaccinations are just one component of what's needed to keep communities and schools safe. In a vir- tual fireside chat with NE A President Becky Pringle on Jan. 28, infectious dis- ease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said, "Even after getting vaccinated, you still have to wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands." S om e were al arm ed by G ov. Gavin Newsom's January announcement to lift the state's stay-at-home order. "Have we not learned anything?" said Marcia San- tini, a nurse at UCLA Medical Center, in a Guardian article. Santini was hospitalized with COVID-19 in December. Grace Lee, M.D., is chief medical officer for practice innovation and an infec- tious diseases physician at Stanford Children's Health, and currently serves on the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and Califor- nia's COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. What determined educators' priority in the vaccine rollout? ACIP sees teachers and educational staff as a critical part of the frontline workforce that is vital for the functioning of society — for kids, parents and others. That was the rationale in including educators in Phase 1b; they need to be in the workplace to effectively do their jobs. It was a priority to protect frontline essential workers. Explain how vaccines are only one part of the layers of protection — the "Swiss cheese model"? Currently available vaccines are 95 percent effective, but for the 5 percent where it doesn't work, that's one hole in your layer of protection. Even if we [wear masks] most of the time, still another hole exists when we are non-adher- ent. Another layer is social distancing, and yet another is cohorting. The goal is to have many layers, so if the virus gets through because one or two holes line up, another layer will protect us. The great thing about the vaccine is it gives us 95 percent protection at two doses, and doesn't require us to rely on perfect behavior (ourselves and oth- ers) to achieve that protection. If we all get vaccinated, we can get to herd immunity much more quickly and safely. How safe and effective are the currently available vaccines? Clinical trials published for Pfizer and Moderna were far more inclusive and transparent about their focus on diverse populations than what we typically A Voice of Science California's vaccine progress, safety, and the impact for educators By Frank Wells "A fireman doesn't put out half of a fire and hope the rest goes out on its own. Our numbers will shoot back up again and we'll just keep infecting each other." CTA expressed concern about mov- ing too quickly to reopen schools that, unlike Kensrue's, are currently closed, particularly as variants of the coronavi- rus pose new dangers. CTA officers sent a letter to Newsom and other leaders on Jan. 27 urging a "clear and coordinated state, county, and local plan that puts the health and safety of our communities first and does not take shortcuts toward the 20 cta.org Feature Dr. Grace Lee