As a parent of two children under 12, I support a vaccine mandate. This is the only path back to some version of normal, and it will protect our teachers, families, and children.
As an OUSD parent, I request that the Board oppose the proposed mandate for COVID vaccines. Every child has unique circumstances and medical conditions / family history and these vaccines come with significant risks; therefore, the decision should be a decision made between doctors and parents, not the school district. Instead, let’s EDUCATE, not MANDATE – and let parents and physicians determine what is best for each unique child. The data shows that there have been only 335 reported deaths under the age of 18 since Covid first appeared and the vaccine is causing more harm than good for particular age groups, especially teenage boys https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/10/boys-more-at-risk-from-pfizer-jab-side-effect-than-covid-suggests-study . In addition, these vaccinations do not prevent infection or transmission. Why would the school district want to put our children at risk for COVID vaccine injuries when the science shows that the vaccine is not warranted for kids?
As a parent with a PhD in Biophysics I oppose COVID vaccine mandates. Following the “science” requires thinking critically and avoiding biases. The science says that kids have almost no risk of severe outcomes from COVID. On the other hand, reported COVID vaccine injuries are now almost equal to the number of injuries from all other reported vaccine injuries (MMR, DPT, etc.) for the last 30 years; there is risk in getting the shot. Also, long-term risks for COVID vaccines are unknown because COVID vaccines are only a few years old. Vioxx was pulled 5 years after approval for causing heart problems. The verdict is still out on which is riskier for kids: vaccinating or not. With risks on both sides, parents must have the right to weigh vaccine pros and cons and decide the best option for their kid. Further, Israel is highly vaccinated yet Covid is surging. With Delta, both vaccinated and unvaccinated can be infected and transmit; it’s misleading to say vaccination will get rid of COVID!
I support the resolution to mandate our kids get vaccinated for school. As Dr Johnson Trammell said, vaccine mandates for school are nothing new.
I cannot wait to immunize my kids the moment the EUA is passed for 5-11 yo.
That being said, please also mandate that your staff and teachers get the vaccine. Testing weekly is NOT the same as getting vaccinated. We must set a good example for our children.
Please strongly consider pushing for a vaccine mandate for teachers and staff. It will save lives. We must be on the right side of history.
Please oppose mandates for COVID vaccines.
Forcing children to have a vaccine for a disease that doesn't affect them (only 335 reported deaths under age of 18 since start of COVID in the US) is just not necessary. Look at the hospitalization for kids under 18 from the CDC.....
https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/COVIDNet/COVID19_3.html
Kids DO NOT need this vaccine to keep them safe. Let parents and families with different religions, ethnicities and backgrounds decide what is best for their children.
In fact, some age groups are more likely to go to hospital from complications of COVID vaccine than from disease itself.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/10/boys-more-at-risk-from-pfizer-jab-side-effect-than-covid-suggests-study
So please actually look at the science as it pertains to our children and vote NO!
Please oppose mandates for COVID vaccines – mandates are an affront to personal health choice and with delta, vaccination does not prevent infection and transmission of the virus. Oakland is a beautiful mix of people from different backgrounds including different races, ethnicities, and faiths. Given Oakland’s diversity, OUSD should be a leader in reducing racial disparity. In the spirit of celebrating and respecting our differences, it’s important to note that the ACLU in 2020 argued that mandates “exacerbate racial disparities and harm the civil liberties of all.” Similarly, in 2008 the ACLU issued a report stating that for vaccines the government should only use voluntary compliance, education, and encouragement, and not infringe on civil liberties. Rather than mandating and violating fundamental human rights, let’s stand up for individual rights and freedom of choice. As a community, let’s be inclusive, promote health/wellness through education, and not a one-size-fits-all mandate.
A vaccine mandate will lead to our Black & Brown children being kicked out of school!
In NY, Google news:
"Chivona Newsome, the other co-founder of BLM NYC, targeted Mayor Bill de Blasio’s vaccine mandate more specifically in her remarks. She implied that the edict has resulted in repeats of historical episodes when blacks were disenfranchised from society..."
“Seventy-two percent of black people in this city from ages 18 to 44 are unvaccinated. So what is going to stop the Gestapo, I mean the NYPD, from rounding up black people, from snatching them off the train, off the bus?” she added, “The vaccination passport is not a free passport to racism.”
Kimberly Bernard, the co-founder of the Black Women’s March, echoed the charge that COVID restrictions are being weaponized against minorities, 'We are serving notice on the mayor, on the governor, on the restaurant industry that we will not allow for you to use this pandemic, vaccination cards, and masks as another reason to be racist..”
Hello from Oakland Tech HS Parent and Adam’s Point resident. Thank you Supervisors for taking a hard stand for science. I agree with requirements for all eligible students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated. At the same time there is real fear and historically valid reasons for resistance. I would like to see access to an advisory group by phone, video and appt for families who are still fearful of the vaccine. Let us move forward with education which will build trust. Thank you for your hard work leading our schools in these insane times. Our students deserve our effort to engage with the community and lead the way in the name of education and science.
As a parent to two children attending Hillcrest K-8, I strongly support a vaccine mandate for Oakland schools. This is the best way to keep our children and community safe and avoid disruptions to learning. We mandate many other vaccines and health requirements for our students as it is in our community's best different. Protecting us all from the instability of covid should be no different. Please follow the lead of other school districts and adopt a mandate.
I strongly support a mandate for all eligible individuals to be vaccinated, including those 12+ YOA, as well as teachers, staff and contractors. As vaccines are available to younger children, the mandate should extend to them as well, with reasonable time frames to obtain the vaccination.
I strongly support a vaccination requirement for students 12 and over. This is no different than the various other vaccination requirements for attendance, and is particularly important for K-8 schools, where students who are 12+ have frequent contact with children too young to be eligible for the vaccine.
As a parent of two young students at Montclair Elementary, I hope the board votes to mandate vaccinations for students 12+. As soon as my own kids become eligible, hopefully in late October, I will be getting them vaccinated. In addition to a student vaccine mandate, teachers and staff should not be permitted to opt-out in lieu of weekly testing unless they have a medical or religious exemption. We know getting vaccinated is the most effective tool we have to keep people safe. This seems like a no brainer.
As a voting member of District 3, and a Health Academy teacher at Oakland Technical High School, I am writing again to ask for your support of resolution 21-2181. We have presented so many fact based arguments and so many opportunities for students and families to get vaccines on our campus, but a significant portion of students will not be swayed by aything less than a top-down requirement.
For the health of our teachers, students, and vulnerable family members, please support this resolution.
As a voting member of District 3, and a science teacher at Skyline High School, I am writing again to ask for your support of resolution 21-2181, requiring vaccinations against COVID-19 for all eligible students, aged 12 and over. We have seen vaccination numbers surge when mandates are put into place, and we need to follow the science that vaccines are the most effective way to keep infections and hospitalizations low. We cannot hope to end this pandemic until as many people as possible are vaccinated against this deadly disease, and our students are no exception. They, and their families, deserve protection just as much as everyone else, and if we are serious about protecting and educating our students, we need to stand behind the safety and efficacy of these vaccines and vote to adopt a resolution requiring vaccination against COVID-19, just the same as we do for all other deadly diseases that have FDA-approved vaccines.
I hope that the Board will unanimously support COVID-19 vaccination for students. The past year has demonstrated that vaccines work against the COVID infection and that they are effective and necessary. Vaccines are already mandated for several diseases including mumps, measles, and rubella, so this is not new territory or a new idea. Infections within classrooms are disruptive not only to those infected, but also to those who come in contact with them. Many school districts have already passed mandates for vaccination, including Los Angeles (unanimous support), West Contra Costa, and Contra Costa. Their actions should serve as a model for effective leadership by the Board. I hope we won't be a part of the movements pushed by vaccine-doubters who are anti-masks, anti-vaccines, anti-science . . . Take the right stand and vote for a vaccine mandate in OUSD.
As a parent of two children under 12, I support a vaccine mandate. This is the only path back to some version of normal, and it will protect our teachers, families, and children.
As an OUSD parent, I request that the Board oppose the proposed mandate for COVID vaccines. Every child has unique circumstances and medical conditions / family history and these vaccines come with significant risks; therefore, the decision should be a decision made between doctors and parents, not the school district. Instead, let’s EDUCATE, not MANDATE – and let parents and physicians determine what is best for each unique child. The data shows that there have been only 335 reported deaths under the age of 18 since Covid first appeared and the vaccine is causing more harm than good for particular age groups, especially teenage boys https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/10/boys-more-at-risk-from-pfizer-jab-side-effect-than-covid-suggests-study . In addition, these vaccinations do not prevent infection or transmission. Why would the school district want to put our children at risk for COVID vaccine injuries when the science shows that the vaccine is not warranted for kids?
As a parent with a PhD in Biophysics I oppose COVID vaccine mandates. Following the “science” requires thinking critically and avoiding biases. The science says that kids have almost no risk of severe outcomes from COVID. On the other hand, reported COVID vaccine injuries are now almost equal to the number of injuries from all other reported vaccine injuries (MMR, DPT, etc.) for the last 30 years; there is risk in getting the shot. Also, long-term risks for COVID vaccines are unknown because COVID vaccines are only a few years old. Vioxx was pulled 5 years after approval for causing heart problems. The verdict is still out on which is riskier for kids: vaccinating or not. With risks on both sides, parents must have the right to weigh vaccine pros and cons and decide the best option for their kid. Further, Israel is highly vaccinated yet Covid is surging. With Delta, both vaccinated and unvaccinated can be infected and transmit; it’s misleading to say vaccination will get rid of COVID!
Let’s take this opportunity to protect our students and be real leaders on this important public health issue.
I support the resolution to mandate our kids get vaccinated for school. As Dr Johnson Trammell said, vaccine mandates for school are nothing new.
I cannot wait to immunize my kids the moment the EUA is passed for 5-11 yo.
That being said, please also mandate that your staff and teachers get the vaccine. Testing weekly is NOT the same as getting vaccinated. We must set a good example for our children.
Please strongly consider pushing for a vaccine mandate for teachers and staff. It will save lives. We must be on the right side of history.
Please oppose mandates for COVID vaccines.
Forcing children to have a vaccine for a disease that doesn't affect them (only 335 reported deaths under age of 18 since start of COVID in the US) is just not necessary. Look at the hospitalization for kids under 18 from the CDC.....
https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/COVIDNet/COVID19_3.html
Kids DO NOT need this vaccine to keep them safe. Let parents and families with different religions, ethnicities and backgrounds decide what is best for their children.
In fact, some age groups are more likely to go to hospital from complications of COVID vaccine than from disease itself.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/10/boys-more-at-risk-from-pfizer-jab-side-effect-than-covid-suggests-study
So please actually look at the science as it pertains to our children and vote NO!
Please oppose mandates for COVID vaccines – mandates are an affront to personal health choice and with delta, vaccination does not prevent infection and transmission of the virus. Oakland is a beautiful mix of people from different backgrounds including different races, ethnicities, and faiths. Given Oakland’s diversity, OUSD should be a leader in reducing racial disparity. In the spirit of celebrating and respecting our differences, it’s important to note that the ACLU in 2020 argued that mandates “exacerbate racial disparities and harm the civil liberties of all.” Similarly, in 2008 the ACLU issued a report stating that for vaccines the government should only use voluntary compliance, education, and encouragement, and not infringe on civil liberties. Rather than mandating and violating fundamental human rights, let’s stand up for individual rights and freedom of choice. As a community, let’s be inclusive, promote health/wellness through education, and not a one-size-fits-all mandate.
A vaccine mandate will lead to our Black & Brown children being kicked out of school!
In NY, Google news:
"Chivona Newsome, the other co-founder of BLM NYC, targeted Mayor Bill de Blasio’s vaccine mandate more specifically in her remarks. She implied that the edict has resulted in repeats of historical episodes when blacks were disenfranchised from society..."
“Seventy-two percent of black people in this city from ages 18 to 44 are unvaccinated. So what is going to stop the Gestapo, I mean the NYPD, from rounding up black people, from snatching them off the train, off the bus?” she added, “The vaccination passport is not a free passport to racism.”
Kimberly Bernard, the co-founder of the Black Women’s March, echoed the charge that COVID restrictions are being weaponized against minorities, 'We are serving notice on the mayor, on the governor, on the restaurant industry that we will not allow for you to use this pandemic, vaccination cards, and masks as another reason to be racist..”
Hello from Oakland Tech HS Parent and Adam’s Point resident. Thank you Supervisors for taking a hard stand for science. I agree with requirements for all eligible students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated. At the same time there is real fear and historically valid reasons for resistance. I would like to see access to an advisory group by phone, video and appt for families who are still fearful of the vaccine. Let us move forward with education which will build trust. Thank you for your hard work leading our schools in these insane times. Our students deserve our effort to engage with the community and lead the way in the name of education and science.
As a parent to two children attending Hillcrest K-8, I strongly support a vaccine mandate for Oakland schools. This is the best way to keep our children and community safe and avoid disruptions to learning. We mandate many other vaccines and health requirements for our students as it is in our community's best different. Protecting us all from the instability of covid should be no different. Please follow the lead of other school districts and adopt a mandate.
I strongly support a mandate for all eligible individuals to be vaccinated, including those 12+ YOA, as well as teachers, staff and contractors. As vaccines are available to younger children, the mandate should extend to them as well, with reasonable time frames to obtain the vaccination.
I strongly support a vaccination requirement for students 12 and over. This is no different than the various other vaccination requirements for attendance, and is particularly important for K-8 schools, where students who are 12+ have frequent contact with children too young to be eligible for the vaccine.
As a parent of two young students at Montclair Elementary, I hope the board votes to mandate vaccinations for students 12+. As soon as my own kids become eligible, hopefully in late October, I will be getting them vaccinated. In addition to a student vaccine mandate, teachers and staff should not be permitted to opt-out in lieu of weekly testing unless they have a medical or religious exemption. We know getting vaccinated is the most effective tool we have to keep people safe. This seems like a no brainer.
As a voting member of District 3, and a Health Academy teacher at Oakland Technical High School, I am writing again to ask for your support of resolution 21-2181. We have presented so many fact based arguments and so many opportunities for students and families to get vaccines on our campus, but a significant portion of students will not be swayed by aything less than a top-down requirement.
For the health of our teachers, students, and vulnerable family members, please support this resolution.
As a voting member of District 3, and a science teacher at Skyline High School, I am writing again to ask for your support of resolution 21-2181, requiring vaccinations against COVID-19 for all eligible students, aged 12 and over. We have seen vaccination numbers surge when mandates are put into place, and we need to follow the science that vaccines are the most effective way to keep infections and hospitalizations low. We cannot hope to end this pandemic until as many people as possible are vaccinated against this deadly disease, and our students are no exception. They, and their families, deserve protection just as much as everyone else, and if we are serious about protecting and educating our students, we need to stand behind the safety and efficacy of these vaccines and vote to adopt a resolution requiring vaccination against COVID-19, just the same as we do for all other deadly diseases that have FDA-approved vaccines.
I hope that the Board will unanimously support COVID-19 vaccination for students. The past year has demonstrated that vaccines work against the COVID infection and that they are effective and necessary. Vaccines are already mandated for several diseases including mumps, measles, and rubella, so this is not new territory or a new idea. Infections within classrooms are disruptive not only to those infected, but also to those who come in contact with them. Many school districts have already passed mandates for vaccination, including Los Angeles (unanimous support), West Contra Costa, and Contra Costa. Their actions should serve as a model for effective leadership by the Board. I hope we won't be a part of the movements pushed by vaccine-doubters who are anti-masks, anti-vaccines, anti-science . . . Take the right stand and vote for a vaccine mandate in OUSD.