That is an increase of about 1 million from the
day before, indicating the vaccination drive is
picking up speed after a slow start.
But the U.S. is still well short of the hundreds
of millions who experts say will need to be
inoculated to vanquish the outbreak.
A report released by the CDC adds to the
evidence suggesting that children aren’t the
main drivers of community transmission. It
found that increases in reported cases among
adults were not preceded by increases among
children and teens. Young adults, it appears, may
contribute more to the spread than children do.
Chicago began a phased-in reopening of
its schools this week, with about 6,000 pre-
kindergarten and special education students
expected to return to classrooms and other
grades set to follow in the coming weeks. Illinois
teachers are not eligible for vaccines yet, but
Chicago officials are providing virus tests on
school grounds for staff.
Chicago teachers who were punished for
refusing to show up for classes over COVID-19
concerns demonstrated outside the school
board president’s home. Roughly 150 employees
were initially docked pay and locked out of
the school system, meaning they can’t teach
remotely either. District officials said late the
number dropped to 100 as employees returned
to work or had a valid excuse.
“I don’t believe it’s safe to reopen the schools. I
don’t believe it’s safe for my family, I live with an
elderly mom. I don’t believe it is safe for the city’s
children or their families,” said Kirstin Roberts, a
pre-kindergarten teacher.Image: Ashlee Rezin Garcia