optin
New York, NY (77WABC)-NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio Monday joined by the NYC Public Schools Chancellor and the NYC Health Commissioner announced that NYC is planning to eliminate what is known as the “two case” rule. Under the two case rule, a public school building is forced to close for at least ten days when two unrelated cases of COVID-19 are reported in the building. The closure allows for contract tracing and disinfection but forces students and staff temporarily to remote learning.
Due to the city’s intent to do away with the two case rule, Mayor DeBlasio announced an extension until this Friday for parents who want to opt their children into classroom instruction. The original deadline was this Wednesday.
The opt-in period for in person learning has been EXTENDED to this Friday, April 9!
Our @NYCSchools are some of the safest places in the city. If the young person in your household wants to return to in-person learning, now’s your chance: https://t.co/Maphb0Yy2x pic.twitter.com/DFWDJI3cAL— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) April 5, 2021
Schools Chancellor, Meisha Ross Porter voiced support saying she has heard time and time again from those wanting the two case rule abolished. She said, “I heard this again from everyone, I am so happy today that we are answering the call.” Both Mayor DeBlasio and the Chancellor said more information will be forthcoming about the city’s intention to do away with the two case rule.
In support of doing away with the two case rule, NYC Health Commissioner, Dr. Dave Chokshi said, “based on over 700,000 tests conducted to date the cumulative positivity rate in schools is 0.57%,” in the NYC Public School System.
You can watch the full briefing below:
In response, United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew a statement on the union’s webpage; “A proclamation is not a plan. The city can’t change the two-case rule without Albany’s approval.”
Mulgrew urged caution stating, “ students now account for two-thirds of the new infections. We have been talking to our medical experts, and we will continue to discuss these issues with the city.”
Of the 1,700 public schools in NYC, the union says 110 are currently undergoing remote learning due to the two case rule.
