Parents mixed on the first day of school in NYC

(13 Sep 2021) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4343872:



Reaction of parents picking their kids up from the first day of school in New York City was mixed Monday as the city is set to enforce vaccine and mask mandates.

Katherine Tuan's daughter is in her second year of kindergarten. Tuan is nervous but feels her daughter needs the "socialization" that in-person school provides.

"A lot of nerves, yeah, a lot of nerves, especially because we see both of our parents often and their and his grandparents, so they're all high risk," Tuan said. "Definitely having the staff be vaccinated, that helps some of the angst, I think, you know, knowing that she's under 12 and she's around kids her age who also can't be vaccinated is still a concern."

The vaccine mandate — with no test-out option — gives teachers until Sept. 27 to get their first shot.

Masks will be required for all students and staff members, as is the case in schools across New York state.

Paulo Rocha has nine-year-old twins entering the fourth grade. He is "very excited" to have schools open for in-person learning: "I believe this is like a big step that will allow us to have our normal life out there. It brings more balance at home. We are really excited about it."

There is no vaccine mandate for students 12 and over who are eligible for inoculations, but vaccinations will be required to participate in contact sports like football and basketball as well as some extracurricular activities like band practice and theater. About two-thirds of the city's 12-to-17-year-olds are currently vaccinated.

Bianca Garcia's son is starting third grade. Garcia supports vaccinations but doesn't believe there should be mandates.

"I would like a lot of parents to come together, and it's not not to say that I want us to be against it, I just want there to be more of a conversation about it," Garcia said. "I don't want it to be, 'Oh, this is a mandate, It's it's not your choice...' I think people if they want to get vaccinated, they should get vaccinated, if that's what's for them."

Garcia checked in with her son's teacher during the school day. She was told he participated in his first gym class of the new year. "He's doing great," Garcia said.

In the U.S., anyone 12 and older is eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.

The Food and Drug Administration's vaccine chief said last week he is hopeful children as young as 5 will be eligible to get vaccinated by the end of 2021.



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