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Time for a Nebraska covid vaccine update for our schools. A lot has happened since last week's thread, and if you live in Douglas County, there's some action you can all take now. Here are three critical things you need to know: (1/12)
First, . @GovRicketts continues to make it even more difficult for educators to get vaccinated. We have the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, which gets doses to retail pharmacies to help get more shots in arms. Seems simple, right? Not so much. (2/12)
Although it is a federal program, the states are still partners. The Nebraska pharmacies (mainly Wal Mart) were getting ready to have 90% of their doses go to 65+, 10% to workers, just like what the state is doing. THIS INCLUDED EDUCATORS. (3/12)
They LITERALLY had the registration website ready to go, and . @GovRicketts pulled the plug, telling the retail pharmacies they can only give vaccinations to folks 65+ and any leftover healthcare workers. That's it. NO critical workers are allowed in the program. (4/12)
Second, we found out that local health officials are creating obstacles as well. We found out that in several localities in Nebraska, teachers were ALREADY getting vaccinated. They were doing many of the things I mentioned last week, like saving unused doses for educators.(5/12
So with the Governor feeling the heat, but seeing that local folks were causing problems too, he punted responsibility and said "ope, not my fault, it's the local health directors' faults." Even though HE moved 1C folks into 1B. HE axed us from the retail program (6/12)
But by highlighting the local issues, it created space to act. Earlier today, two members of the city council, a Millard board member, and an OPS board member sent a letter to Dr. Pour. It looks like the city council will vote on a resolution next week (7/12)
They have a petition you can sign here: https://rallycall.io/campaign-details/Support_Vaccinations_for_Douglas_County_educators_and_school_staff_1613336691/success (8/12)
The World Herald did a write up this morning you can read here:
https://omaha.com/news/local/education/omaha-area-officials-join-in-call-to-vaccinate-teachers/article_c9949e02-6fbd-11eb-9918-f7ca2b8452f4.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_Omaha_World-Herald&fbclid=IwAR315NYDRHljionxNqUDiyNH1hhlhE3eaeSg4SLXcwjreMnWpahUx2S1A6E (9/12)
https://omaha.com/news/local/education/omaha-area-officials-join-in-call-to-vaccinate-teachers/article_c9949e02-6fbd-11eb-9918-f7ca2b8452f4.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_Omaha_World-Herald&fbclid=IwAR315NYDRHljionxNqUDiyNH1hhlhE3eaeSg4SLXcwjreMnWpahUx2S1A6E (9/12)
Folks in Douglas County - if you have ANY connection with the Mayor, your city councilmember, Dr. Pour, the Board of Health, REACH OUT. They'll tell you this can't be done, that they're following guidance, etc., but then ask them.... (10/12)
Why is Three Rivers Health Department (Fremont and surrounding area) able to allocating unused doses to teachers if it supposedly "can't happen?" Why can't we get to teachers yet on the schedule, when places like Scottsbluff, North Platte, and Grand Island already are? (11/12)
Challenge the talking points. We've been digging through the information for weeks now. We know what can be done. Demand better. And don't worry, NSEA and others are still fighting hard at the state level, too (12/12)
