A Florida school district has been shaken by the loss of 13 staff members to COVID-19 within a short span of weeks. Since August 16, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools have mourned the passing of these employees, which includes four teachers, seven bus drivers, a cafeteria worker, and a security staff member, as reported by CNN.
All 13 individuals were unvaccinated, and notably, all were African-American. The president of the local teachers’ union, Jenna Martinez, emphasized the urgent need for building trust in vaccines, particularly within communities of color. “Misinformation is causing significant fear, and this community has been underserved,” Martinez explained. “Data from the county’s health department shows that only 30% of the African American population is vaccinated, which is considerably lower than the overall averages.”
Many of these deaths could have potentially been avoided had vaccination rates been higher. However, in a positive turn, the union organized a vaccine pop-up site in honor of their late colleagues, where 40 individuals received shots within hours. Plans for an additional pop-up to provide second doses are underway.
The district expressed its deep sorrow in a statement, saying, “The loss of any employee is deeply felt as each member is part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools family. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by these tragic losses.” In an effort to boost vaccination rates among staff, the district is considering a $275 incentive for those who provide proof of vaccination.
The Miami-Dade County Public Schools have already faced a significant loss, and without significant changes, further losses could be likely. Since the academic year commenced on August 23, over 200 positive cases have been reported among students and nearly 200 among staff. This situation unfolds as the state is embroiled in legal battles regarding mask mandates. Miami-Dade is one of the districts that defied the governor’s ban on masks, enforcing them for its 350,000 students. Given the already devastating losses, one can only speculate how much worse the situation could have been without this decision.
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In summary, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district is mourning the loss of 13 unvaccinated staff members due to COVID-19. The local teachers’ union is working to address vaccine hesitancy in the community by organizing vaccination efforts. The district is also considering incentives for staff to increase vaccination rates amidst ongoing legal battles regarding mask mandates.