Who planted them?
The White House press secretary, Jane Saki, said on Tuesday that the agency was working again on Tuesday, claiming that the agency was not working. “
Emails received by the conservative watchdog group Americans for Public Trust and the Post last week provided that a top AFT official described the union as the CDC’s “thought partner” in planning a return to in-person classes .
In an email on 1 February, AFT Senior Director for Health Issues Kelly Trattner praised the CDC, thanking the officers for having a “rich discussion about the CDC’s upcoming guidance and suggestions made by our President, Randy Weingarten For your openness, and AFT. “
In the same message, Trottner said union officials were “able to review a copy of the draft guidance document over the weekend and give some initial feedback to several employees this morning about possible ways to strengthen the document” .
That email was sent to CDC director Dr. Rochelle Wallensky was forwarded by White House Coronavirus Trial Coordinator Carroll Johnson. Another email indicated a call between Wallenski and Vengarten.
The CDC school-reopening guidelines released on February 12 include at least two caravans by the union. One of them was the statement that despite community prevalence of coronovirus, schools can remain open. “[i]n The occurrence of high community-broadcasting results from a new version of SARS-CoV-2, may require a new update of these objectives. “
The AFT also sought, and provided guidance to, teachers who have “documented high-risk situations or for whom the risk has increased … COVID-19” or “employees who have a household member” under similar circumstances. They continue to work from home together.
The email caused an uproar among Republicans over an email with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark). CDC accused on Monday “Being a purely political agency, bowing to the call of teacher unions.”
Sasaki described Cotton’s criticism as “false” and argued that “it is indeed best practice for the CDC to engage with organizations, groups that are likely to be influenced by the guidance and recommendations issued by the agency.”
“This does not mean they are taking what they want, or even a percentage of what they want, but it is important to understand the implementation components. They do this to ensure that recommendations are possible and That they address adequately for the safety and wellbeing of those whom guidance is aimed at, “Saki continued.” So, the CDC is engaged with about 50 stakeholders who are on the front lines in this epidemic. And have the necessary approach to guidance. “
Saki did not elaborate on which other “stakeholders” were consulted.
Even as emails fly through the AFT, Valensky initially appeared fast on guidance again. During a White House coronavirus briefing on 3 February, the CDC chief indicated that “safe reopening does not suggest that teachers need to be vaccinated to safely reopen.”
The next day, Saki claimed that Valensky only spoke “in his personal capacity”.
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