NSNDP calls for priority booster shots for teachers, ECEs

HALIFAX – The Nova Scotia NDP is calling on the Houston government to provide priority access to COVID-19 booster shots for education workers. Teachers, school staff and administrators, and early childhood educators (ECEs) who can’t work from home should have the same early access to booster doses as health care workers.

“Teachers and ECEs work with some of our most vulnerable young people and they will soon be heading back to classrooms,” said NDP Education and Early Childhood Development spokesperson Suzy Hansen. “We know this work is essential and we should support them with priority access to boosters so they are as safe as possible on the job.”

The Houston government should also ensure that those who work in a school or child care centre have government or employer-provided PPE that meets new public health recommendations.

“We’ve seen government step in many times during the pandemic and support employers to provide the PPE that workers need; it should be no different in schools and child care during the current wave of COVID-19,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “Three-layer masks are now the standard. If workers need support in accessing PPE, that support should be given.”

The NDP has also called on government to provide financial support to those families who need help covering the additional cost of child care when schools are closed unexpectedly.

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