For Immediate Release
August 5, 2021
Contact:
Verdaillia Turner
404-315-0222
georgia@aftgeorgia.org
http://ga.aft.org
Statement from the Georgia Federation of Teachers on masks and other safety measures per COVID-19
ATLANTA - We encourage all Georgians to be good neighbors and mask up. We respect the opinion of those who are hesitant to follow any part of the protocol during this pandemic. However, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. The science continues to show that when the health recommendations are followed the death and infection rates go down. And when we do not follow the health recommendations the death and infection rates go up.
We believe the following should be noted:
- We support vaccinations and are doing education, organizing, and engagement to make sure as many people as possible are vaccinated. 90% of AFT members are vaccinated.
- Mandates do not convince unvaccinated people – education, organizing and engagement do. It’s either vaccines or regular testing.
- Mitigation strategies remain important – masking, especially because kids under 12 cannot be vaccinated, physical distancing, ventilation, and of course, testing and vaccines – they are the way BACK to full-time, safe in-school learning, not a barrier to it.
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