1. Please send an email to NYSUT president Andy Pallotta at andrew.pallotta@nysut.org and the NYSUT officers. Tell them why teachers need choice regarding vaccine and Covid testing mandates. Below are email addresses for the NYSUT officers and a sample letter with some main points that you can use.
2. Also send the email to your local union president and board. Below are some main points you can use.
Click HERE for more actions you can take!
NYSUT Officers Email Addresses:
Andrew.Pallotta@nysut.org
Jolene.DiBrango@nysut.org
Ron.Gross@nysut.org
Philippe.Abraham@nysut.org
Sample Letter
Dear Andy Palotta,
I am a teacher in the ____________ School District, and I am reaching out to you for assistance. Thank you so much for all that you and NYSUT have done for us over the years. It is truly appreciated.
The reason I am writing is with regard to Covid vaccination and testing mandates for teachers and school staff in NYS. While I respect the right of every person to accept a Covid vaccination or test if they choose, I am very concerned about over-reaching government mandates that force all to comply. Our governor no longer holds emergency powers, yet we are being dictated to with demands to get vaccinated, submit to testing, or possibly lose our jobs. This is our livelihood. This is how we provide for our families.
Throughout the years you have stood up for teachers in so many ways. I am grateful, and I ask that you please consider the following concerns:
There are a couple questions I would like to ask. I'm hoping you will get back to me with the answers.
1. What law gives NYS the power to mandate Covid testing when we are not in an emergency?
2. What official Randomized Controlled Trial is being used to prove the effectiveness of mandated Covid testing, in only unvaccinated individuals, for reducing hospitalization and death due to Covid in a school building?
3. What legal actions is NYSUT taking to overturn mandated Covid testing?
I am not, and have never been, against vaccination if people choose that for themselves. But I ask that you please stand up for a teacher's right to make their own medical choices with the help of their personal physician. Overreaching government mandates are too dangerous for us to allow at any level. We must get rid of mandatory Covid testing. I appreciate NYSUT's statement that says, "It’s critical that educators continue to have a voice in the implementation of vaccine requirements and other COVID policies at the local level.” I hope that you embrace the voice that I have just shared.
Thank you so much Andy! Your help is truly appreciated.
Sincerely,
2. Also send the email to your local union president and board. Below are some main points you can use.
Click HERE for more actions you can take!
NYSUT Officers Email Addresses:
Andrew.Pallotta@nysut.org
Jolene.DiBrango@nysut.org
Ron.Gross@nysut.org
Philippe.Abraham@nysut.org
Sample Letter
Dear Andy Palotta,
I am a teacher in the ____________ School District, and I am reaching out to you for assistance. Thank you so much for all that you and NYSUT have done for us over the years. It is truly appreciated.
The reason I am writing is with regard to Covid vaccination and testing mandates for teachers and school staff in NYS. While I respect the right of every person to accept a Covid vaccination or test if they choose, I am very concerned about over-reaching government mandates that force all to comply. Our governor no longer holds emergency powers, yet we are being dictated to with demands to get vaccinated, submit to testing, or possibly lose our jobs. This is our livelihood. This is how we provide for our families.
Throughout the years you have stood up for teachers in so many ways. I am grateful, and I ask that you please consider the following concerns:
- Privacy: Our district has asked us to respond to a questionnaire which asks for vaccination status. If we do not respond, or if we answer that we are unvaccinated, then we must submit to mandatory Covid testing. Many teachers are not comfortable sharing their private medical information. Therefore, many vaccinated teachers are not responding to the questionnaire because they want to protect their privacy. This, however, forces these vaccinated teachers into mandatory testing. Conversely, some vaccinated teachers are strongly opposed to mandatory testing, so they have very reluctantly given up their right to privacy by revealing their vaccination status. No other options are given. Unvaccinated teachers have no choice at all. This is coercion. This is not right.
- Discrimination: Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people are scientifically shown to get infected and transmit the virus. Yet only unvaccinated teachers are being forced into testing compliance. This is discrimination. In addition, many unvaccinated teachers have had prior Covid infections which scientifically gives them protective and durable immunity that is superior to vaccinated individuals, yet they are being discriminated against and forced into testing.
- Religious Discrimination: For some teachers, the testing mandates go directly against their sincere and genuine religious beliefs that are supported by Bible scripture and other sacred teachings. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of religious. Currently, if a teacher refuses Covid testing, they could be fined and put on administrative leave without pay. What have we morally become as a society if we deprive people the right to earn a living to support their family if we don’t agree with their religious beliefs?
- Medical Choice: While teachers currently have the option to avoid the vaccine by participating in mandatory testing, medical workers in NYS have not been given that option at all. They are being force vaccinated or they lose their ability to provide an income for their families. How long before teachers lose that option as well? How long before teachers be mandated to vaccinate or lose their jobs? We must stand up to government overreach now before it is too late. Many of us have personal experience with family or friends that have experienced injury from the current vaccines. We must preserve the right for all workers to choose the best health plan for themselves with consultation from their personal physician, not coercion and mandates from overreaching governments. Teachers can set a good example for all sectors of the workforce by standing up to government overreach.
- Solutions: Teachers want to offer alternate solutions that we can implement together. 1.) Replace mandatory Covid testing with educational employee training about Covid, vaccination efficacy, vaccination risk, natural immunity, viral transmission, etc. Include parents and students in the training program too. This accomplishes two things. First, it solves all four of the concerns above. Second, it builds trust with employees and the community rather than resistance through forceful mandates. It brings everyone together AND saves lives. 2.) Replace mandatory Covid testing with voluntary Covid testing. This worked well in the previous school year even during the time when zero employees were vaccinated. At this time, according to union leaders, approximately 80% of teachers are vaccinated. Why would we initiate mandatory testing now, when 80% of teachers are vaccinated, when we didn't need to do it when 0% were vaccinated? This option of voluntary Covid testing solves all the problems above, and with the educational training above, employees will know the value of voluntary testing. 3.) With the help of the medical experts, educate employees, parents and students on medically proven early at-home Covid treatment. Early at-home treatments have been successful around the country and around the world. It teaches people how to properly identify Covid symptoms, how to get properly tested ASAP, how to work with your doctor to receive treatment at home, and most importantly it keeps people out of the hospital so they don't spread the virus to other people in the hospital. While some people may ultimately be unable to receive vaccination, early at-home treatment teaches them to isolate as soon as possible and helps them to successfully recover without placing a burden on hospitals.
There are a couple questions I would like to ask. I'm hoping you will get back to me with the answers.
1. What law gives NYS the power to mandate Covid testing when we are not in an emergency?
2. What official Randomized Controlled Trial is being used to prove the effectiveness of mandated Covid testing, in only unvaccinated individuals, for reducing hospitalization and death due to Covid in a school building?
3. What legal actions is NYSUT taking to overturn mandated Covid testing?
I am not, and have never been, against vaccination if people choose that for themselves. But I ask that you please stand up for a teacher's right to make their own medical choices with the help of their personal physician. Overreaching government mandates are too dangerous for us to allow at any level. We must get rid of mandatory Covid testing. I appreciate NYSUT's statement that says, "It’s critical that educators continue to have a voice in the implementation of vaccine requirements and other COVID policies at the local level.” I hope that you embrace the voice that I have just shared.
Thank you so much Andy! Your help is truly appreciated.
Sincerely,
