State lawmakers want teachers near the top of the list to receive COVID vaccine

A group of state Republican lawmakers is pushing to move teachers toward the front of the line for the COVID-19 vaccine.  In a Zoom press conference today, Representative Peggy Scott of Andover said she hears daily “from our parents about the impact that the lack of in-person learning is having on their children and these stories are sad, and they are very real.” Scott says putting educators near the top of the list for vaccination “will allow teachers and school personnel to be considered essential, after healthcare workers, those in long-term care facilities and the vulnerable.” Grant, a senior at Anoka High School joined the Zoom call and said distance learning is taking its toll “and you know social media, everyone’s communicating through that now, and it’s kind of sad what we’re seeing on there, students are isolated and lonely and their feeling depressed and anxious and struggling to get through their day and no kid should have to do that.” Grant went on to say “I even don’t feel like myself sometimes, it’s just a melancholy clock in and clock out, every single day is the same and I know things will pass eventually, this vaccine will get out, but we need to get on this now for our education and our futures.” The proposal would allow teachers and other school staff to voluntarily receive the vaccine after first responders and high-risk individuals.