Pennsylvania Ping!
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Posted on 09/30/2021 9:53:28 AM PDT by lightman
With a shortage of school bus drivers, Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration is putting out an urgent call to find drivers.
In addition, Pennsylvania Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam is encouraging school districts to make preparations for vaccine clinics in November in anticipation of federal approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11. Currently, the vaccine is only approved for those 12 and older.
And the administration is urging schools to take part in the state’s COVID-19 testing program.
At a news conference Thursday, members of Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration are outlining those steps to keep children in classrooms amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Seeking bus drivers
School districts across Pennsylvania have been struggling to find bus drivers. PennDOT is reaching out to 375,000 Pennsylvania drivers with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) about the immediate need for drivers and how they can obtain a school bus license.
PennDOT also plans to temporarily expand its days of operation to offer CDL skills testing at 23 locations statewide. Those locations will operate Mondays for four weeks beginning October 18.
A commercial drivers license is needed for driving a school bus. For those interested in scheduling a CDL skills test, either visit the Driver and Vehicle Services website or call 717-412-5300.
Getting kids vaccinated
Beam also urged parents to get eligible children the COVID-19 vaccine. So far, she said 500,000 school-age children have been vaccinated.
The acting health secretary also encouraged school districts to begin planning clinics now for the expected approval of COVID-19 vaccines for kids under the age of 12. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s top official on infectious diseases, has said that he hopes the FDA will sign off on the Pfizer vaccine for young children by the end of October, Bloomburg News reported.
“We know that vaccinations are one of the best ways to prevent illness due to COVID-19 and help keep students learning in-person,” Beam said in a statement. “That’s why we encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated and we encourage schools to help make it as convenient as possible. It’s not too early to schedule a vaccine clinic in November in anticipation of federal approval for kids between 5 and 11.”
Testing in schools
The Wolf administration is also urging school districts to take advantage of the state’s COVID-19 testing program to track outbreaks in schools.
The school testing plan is voluntary and is free to schools. The program is funded by the federal government.
“In the past week, more than 800 tests have been conducted in schools across the state through this free initiative,” Beam said in a statement. “The combination of on-going testing, masking and vaccinations will help keep students learning in the classroom.”
‘A good start’
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Pennsylvania Education Secretary Dr. Noe Ortega said in a statement “this has been a good start to the school year.”
“I thank the students, parents and communities for working together and finding creative solutions so students can remain in the classroom, where it’s vital for them to be,” Ortega said.
Earlier this month, Wolf’s administration issued a statewide order for children and staff to wear masks in schools and child care centers. The governor has said the goal is to ensure kids can stay in classrooms and avoid remote instruction. Lawsuits have been filed to overturn the order and Republican lawmakers, who control the General Assembly, have objected to the mask mandate and said it should be an issue for parents to decide.
Several Pennsylvania schools have had to move temporarily to remote learning due to COVID-19 cases and exposures.
From Aug. 16-Sept. 21, nearly 28,000 children between the ages of 5-18 have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The Wolf administration this month said the mask order was issued as cases and hospitalizations were rising due to the delta variant. Across Pennsylvania, 2,795 COVID-19 patients are being treated in hospitals, up from about 250 in July.
Typically, children don’t suffer serious illness from COVID-19. But health officials have been concerned about the spike of cases in children in recent weeks. Since early summer, COVID-19 cases among children have risen exponentially, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports.
Pennsylvania Ping!
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Now answering question from WGAL-8 on duration of mask orders: Allegedly will be monitored vis a vis level of community transmission (entire Commonwealth now “substantial” or “high”); positivity rate; and “cases” of students.
Just when you think they can’t get any more sickening ping....
....In addition, Pennsylvania Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam is encouraging school districts to make preparations for vaccine clinics in November in anticipation of federal approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11. Currently, the vaccine is only approved for those 12 and older......
(Another reason to homeschool.)
It will be the old “We’re not forcing you to get vaxxed but if you fail to you’ll be disallowed from ________________. (fill in the blank.) Just wondering how long before folks are denied entry into local, state and federal building for NO CV ID? Need to renew your drivers license? Sorry, NO CV ID, no entry into the DMV. NO CV ID, no entry on to military bases. We know where this is going.
On a related line, I’ve been tempted to apply for a bus driver position and then act shocked and rescind my application when they require the vax.
If a few dozen people would do this, maybe they’d get the message.
The only silver lining is I see the growth in homeschooling.
Kind of expensive to go through the CDL licensing process to make that point, but every cause needs those willing to sacrifice.
Because anything from fedgov is FREEEEE
Hmmmmm…. I see desperation there..
They must really be getting hurting what with the number of people homeschooling.
Sometimes the left is very transparent. Look at how they are acting and reacting and you’ll figure out what they are worried about that is flying under our radar.
schools where I live offer free (with pay) CDL training and a $1000 bonus for new drivers ...
Go ahead ... get those kids vaxed pronto!!! Reactions are RARE .... if you win the vax lotto, it won’t happen to your kid!
Sorry for the long link & Yes, it’s twitter .... you should still watch - don’t look away.
https://twitter.com/ImStaceyKate/status/1440899764728467462
You couldn’t pay me enough to drive a school bus.
I guarantee if you jab my grand children i will track your skinny F$@kin ass down and stomp you flat like a cape buffalo .
“Since early summer, COVID-19 cases among children have risen exponentially, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports.”
Hmm... right after the Pfizer vaccine was approved for children over 12. Coincidence???
“We know where this is going.”
A whole lot of pissed off unemployed people with nothing to do all day and a whole lot of guns...
Pedo Joe: “I’ll see your guns and raise you some F-15s and nukes! Behind the gym of course.”
Everything cost $0. Eff'n morons.
Everything cost $0. Eff'n morons.
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