THREAD from @ETobyBoyd: We have said all along, CA cannot reopen schools unless it is safe. That applies to all schools on county watch lists or not, and to schools districts seeking waivers from adhering to CDPH guidance, but counties are on that watch list for a reason.

Gov. @GavinNewsom was absolutely right when he emphatically said in Monday’s news conference that he doesn’t 'believe anyone should be forced to put their life and health at risk, period. Full stop.'

Given the exponential increase in #COVID19 cases, the record number of deaths in just the last month, growing numbers of counties on the state watch list & so many unknowns that threaten the long-term health and safety of students and educators.

We believe we must take all precautions & preventative action to protect students, educators and our communities. And now, with cases of kids who have been infected with #COVID19 in childcare right here in CA, in Texas & in Georgia, we can NO LONGER SAY kids aren’t transmitters.

Granting waivers would further exacerbate racial and economic inequities that exist in our schools and communities. Let's not forget, 30% don’t have access to technology, Wi-Fi and computers.

This waiver guidance certainly expands on the footnote that was in the previous guidance but we can't ignore the science-based directives that have put counties on a watch list.

Educators want desperately to be back in classrooms and schools with their students doing the work they love, but there is too much at stake to ignore science, facts and safety.

Many local districts and communities don’t have the necessary resources or capacity to maintain even the most basic prevention measures of 6-feet physical distancing & limiting contacts, much less other important preventative actions such as personal protective equipment (PPE)...

...testing and tracing, or adequate ventilation and cleaning supplies. It is clear that communities and school districts have not come close to meeting the threshold for a safe return to in-person learning.

If any waiver is considered, per the guidance, the decision must be made with parents and educators. — @ETobyBoyd, CTA President #WeAreCTA