Recently, three members of the National Rural Education Association wrote about how protection from the worst of Covid-19 through vaccination supports the learning of students, the health of families, and the spirits of communities.
With vaccines now approved for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, everyone in the United States is eligible for the shot except babies under six months of age and those with contraindications to vaccination (such as an allergy to a component of the vaccine).
Unfortunately, for the last two months the pace of new rural vaccinations has remained flat.
By Susanne Honeycutt
Iam a second-grade school teacher in Walker County, Georgia. I have been teaching for over 20 years. In all my years of teaching, I have never experienced anything like the Covid-19 pandemic.
The disruption Covid has caused in the classroom is profound. My current second-graders have never experienced a normal school year. They were in kindergarten when the pandemic hit. I never dreamed school would close, but it did. And then we transitioned to hybrid learning (in-class and virtual instruction) the following year.
“The disruption Covid has caused in the classroom is profound. My current second-graders have never experienced a normal school year.”
Many of my students are struggling to catch up to grade level because of the fundamental lessons they missed over the last two years.
This year, my entire class was sent home for two weeks on the first day of school. When this happens, students are not just missing out on classroom instruction. Some of my students rely on school for their meals. They also miss out on important interactions that help their social–emotional development. In addition, teachers must use valuable instructional time to ensure students are following safety protocols as closely as possible.
I fear these interruptions will have lasting effects on my students’ abilities to flourish when they are in middle and high school. This is why I am so encouraged by the availability of Covid vaccines for everyone ages 5 and up. [Editor’s Note: On Saturday, June 18 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further expanded vaccine eligibility, authorizing Covid-19 vaccines for all children six months and older.] Envision a classroom where students do not worry about the risk of exposure to a virus that may potentially cause them to miss school, become sick, or harm a family member.
“I fear these interruptions will have lasting effects on my students’ abilities to flourish when they are in middle and high school.”
Thankfully, getting vaccinated for Covid can help stop the spread of other variants and enable students to act and learn freely while feeling safe and supported by their school and community.
While things appear to be returning back to normal, I worry about the possibility of a new wave and the lasting effects some have experienced. Making informed decisions can help all of us continue on the path back to normalcy. As the national Covid-19 public education campaign affirms, “We can do this!”
To ensure everyone’s safety, it is imperative that we keep our children and families informed. For reliable information, parents can reach out to family doctors, pediatricians, your local public health department, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To find Covid-19 vaccines near you, visit vaccines.gov.
