Dear John,
Thank you for all that you continue to do
Thank you, CFT members, for continuing to go above and beyond for our students and our communities during the COVID-19 crisis. We’ve heard so many heartening stories of CFT members distributing food to our most vulnerable families, getting essential technology to children who need it, and doing the critical work to keep our schools and campuses clean and safe. And everyday CFT members from early education to the University of California are working hard to transition your courses and curricula online.
All of this work shows how educators and school workers are stepping up to the challenges presented by this unprecedented crisis, and our work will continue to be essential in the weeks and months to come. You are part of the solution to keep our schools and our society moving forward, and you all should be thanked every day. Thank you.
Friday at 3 p.m., CFT President Jeff Freitas answers members’ questions on Facebook Live
Please join CFT President Jeff Freitas this Friday at 3:00 p.m. as he answers some of the most frequent and pressing questions from CFT members in a Facebook Live broadcast via the CFT Facebook page.
Last week over 12,000 CFT members took part in the largest ever CFT Tele-Townhall, with hundreds asking important questions about their jobs and the health and well-being of their families and their students. If you have a critical question or comment for CFT leaders, please take a moment to go to cft.org/ask to share your concerns and your inspirational stories. It is the quickest and most efficient way for us to handle the high volume of questions. We also recommend that you contact your local union with your concerns.
We encourage you to regularly go to cft.org, where we continue to post regular updates, information, and resources, including an audio-stream of CFT’s March 18 Tele-Townhall.
Bend the curve: Please remember to practice social distancing
With the coronavirus continuing to spread at a rapid rate, we ask all CFT members to please continue following public health directives by practicing social distancing and regularly washing your hands. While no doubt everyone is doing their best to follow these important rules, even just a small number of people can spread the disease.
On Monday evening, Governor Gavin Newsom held a press conference announcing the closure of state parking lots and offered a renewed plea for Californians to avoid crowded public areas and stay home as much as possible.
Newsom clearly stated that in order to “bend the curve” in California, to keep people healthy, and to not overburden our healthcare system, we collectively have to “adjust our thinking and adjust our activities.” He continued to convey the urgency of this pandemic by saying, “There’s a mutuality and there’s a recognition of our interdependence that requires at this moment that we direct a statewide order for people to stay at home.”
Our governor’s call to be smart and safe is grounded in scientific data and a desire to protect all Californians, and so we urge you to follow Newsom’s orders and to stay home as much as possible. As our governor said, “We can make decisions to meet moments,” and this is a moment to practice safe social distancing and to stay at home to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities.
To all the workers who can’t stay home: Thank you for what you are doing to keep us safe and fed. While you are looking out for our students and communities, the union will continue to look out for you and your families.
Sign the petition now: Demand personal protective equipment for frontline healthcare workers
We urge all CFT members and supporters to honor the bravery of healthcare workers by signing this petition calling on President Trump to take critical action to get personal protective equipment to our frontline responders immediately. The lack of essential protective equipment is putting the lives of healthcare workers and patients at risk, and immediate action is needed to protect them. It’s time for the president to use the Defense Production Act to ensure there are enough ventilators, N95 masks, and other personal protective equipment available. Please sign the petition now.
Deal on federal stimulus
Late last night, US Senate negotiators reached an agreement on a $2 trillion stimulus bill, following marathon negotiations. While full details are not available, and the Senate and House still need to approve the bill, the AFT and other advocates have been pushing hard to ensure that the stimulus supports workers, families, and our critical healthcare infrastructure.
