AEA calling for students to stay home amid coronavirus concerns

PHOENIX — The Arizona Education Association has urged students to stay home from school as coronavirus spreads, calling on Ariz. Gov. Doug Ducey to step in during this “unanticipated crisis.”

In a statement released Sunday, the AEA is “calling for students to remain home from school until education leaders and state policymakers can present a detailed plan of support that assures students will be returning to safe classrooms and healthy school sites.”

In addition, the association is calling on Ducey to use the weight of his office to convene the legislature in a Special Session to directly address the virus and the impact it has made on the community.

“We also call on the Governor to arrange for a meeting of state education and health leaders to work collectively to ensure the safety of Arizona families,” the statement read.

The call marks the latest attempt to ask Ducey to step in amid coronavirus concerns.

On Saturday, the Mesa Education Association called on Ducey, Superintendent Kathy Hoffman and Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services Dr. Cara Christ to provide “flexibility of requirements” for the school year.

Numerous school districts across Arizona have made the decision to shut their doors as precautionary measures against the new virus. Some have set target dates to reopen, others have closed until further notice.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a longer closure, from 8-20 weeks, could provide a greater effect against the spread of coronavirus.

“Modeling data for other respiratory infections where children have higher disease impacts, suggests that longer closures may have greater impact in terms of overall transmission,” the CDC recommendation chart read. “[Extended closures] provide substantial protection for older staff and students and staff with underlying medical conditions.”

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