Fearmongering is exhausting. Just ask United Teachers Los Angeles President Cecily Myart-Cruz, whose reign relies heavily on her membership having to

May 14th, 2021
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John,


Fearmongering is exhausting.

Just ask United Teachers Los Angeles President Cecily Myart-Cruz, whose reign relies heavily on her membership continuing to live in fear. In her latest address to members, Myart-Cruz stressed ([link removed]) the importance of taking care of oneself, particularly during May when the union celebrates wellness and mental health.

“Get some much-needed rest,” she said, explaining that COVID-19 had been just so exhausting. “Try not to do so much.”

Nevermind the fact that UTLA members have largely been working only partial days at home for 431 days now. What’s with the fearmongering, Cecily?

If Cecily and government unions truly cared about the mental health of teachers, they might share some facts about the COVID-19 situation in California, all of which are increasingly encouraging and confirm it’s safe for kids and teachers to physically be in school. They might share that, while the future is always unknown, we are on a positive trajectory, and each day brings new experts and leaders across the political spectrum calling for a return to normalcy.

For weeks now, California has had the lowest COVID-19 rates in the country, and that continues to be true ([link removed]) . The state’s vaccination rate is climbing, with 54 percent of Californians having received at least one dose. In Los Angeles, where over 600,000 students remain largely locked out of the classroom with little hope of returning in the fall, the numbers are similarly encouraging ([link removed]) .

As with most parts of California, the county’s case rate is currently the lowest it has been since the start of the pandemic, dropping from more than 150 cases per 100,000 residents, to 2.6. The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in intensive care units has plummeted. The list of positive indicators – from rapidly approaching herd immunity to the growing research showing children just don’t spread this virus – goes on and on.

So, why is Myart-Cruz addressing her followers with such despair? Why is she lamenting the worst moments of the past 14 months, rather than highlighting how far we’ve come and leading the charge to return to normalcy now that a mountain of evidence says it’s safe to do so?

Perhaps she’s realizing the union’s jig is almost up. In nearly every other state, gone are the days of unions dragging in their heels, convincing parents it’s just not safe to return to school, and demanding concessions in exchange for completing their essential work. Outside of California, students long ago fully returned to school. Even within California, those who attend private and charter schools that are free from union control – like Governor Gavin Newsom’s children – have been learning in-person since the fall.

The United Teachers Los Angeles has extracted record-level concessions on the backs of students, as the California Policy Center explained this week in Fox News ([link removed]) . It shows no sign of relenting, and students stand to lose yet another school year if the LAUSD Board of Education fails to intervene.

This union in particular, as have many others, repeatedly accused President Donald Trump of using fear tactics to advance his political agenda. Perhaps Cecily and her counterparts should take a dose of their own medicine and stop pushing a narrative that’s not good for anyone’s mental health.

Quote of the week

“What does it say about society when we’re talking about the kids being second or third fiddle ... maybe fourth or fifth even? … It’s absurd, it’s unfair, it’s wrong.” — LAUSD dad speaking with John and Ken ([link removed])

More from CPC
* Newsom’s education spending binge ([link removed])
* Oy vey, Randi! ([link removed])
* Listen: Christmas in May ([link removed])
* Biden’s union agenda betrays American workers ([link removed])
* Listen: Non-racist math and science ([link removed])


CPC and allies in the news
* LA teachers union tantrum - here’s how not to run a school district ([link removed])
* Gavin Newsom attempts to bribe away his poor record ([link removed])
* Listen: The Jen and Don Show discuss school closures, reopenings, and teachers unions ([link removed])
* Now is the time for California to create jobs, not drive them away ([link removed])
* What did he get right? Reactions to Gov. Newsom’s early education budget ([link removed])
* What did he get right? Reactions to Gov. Newsom’s K-12 budget ([link removed])
* LA Times says California is “Debt Free.” Really? ([link removed])
* California education leaders react to Gov. Newsom’s K-12 budget ([link removed])
* Listen: John and Ken Show talks to dad participating in Sunday’s Total Recall Rally ([link removed])


Classroom headlines
* Parents group: California school board dispute a test case for teacher union clout ([link removed])
* Newsom proposes a return to in-person learning beginning next school year ([link removed])
* California’s once exceptional public education shattered by dogmatic extremists ([link removed])
* Watch: Boy tells school board what it’s like to be masked all day ([link removed])
* Golden State’s next culture war: math class ([link removed])
* California schools could lose money under Newsom plan if they don’t fully reopen ([link removed])
* Freemont parents sue school district over closed schools ([link removed])



COVID and openings
* COVID’s political impact: Teachers union outspends Big Oil in Sacramento ([link removed])
* San Francisco’s pandemic exodus looks like it’s almost over ([link removed])
* Peeling back the COVID masks reveals contradictory statements, studies and mandates ([link removed])


Other things we’re reading
* California spent $100M on new online college, graduated 12 in first year ([link removed])
* Suspense file day: Which controversial bills did California legislators kill? ([link removed])
* San Francisco tech companies are sitting on record amounts of empty space and offering perks to lure tenants ([link removed])
* California is awash in tax revenue and budget reflects it ([link removed])
* California Senate Democrats propose $3.41 billion drought spending plan ([link removed])
* The great state budget con ([link removed])
* Five Oregon counties vote to secede and join Idaho ([link removed])
* Polling shows Gov. Newsom is more vulnerable than he’d like ([link removed])


Connect with CPC

Want to keep up with CPC and our partners during the week? Follow us on Twitter ([link removed]) , join our Facebook ([link removed]) community, and sign up to be part of the growing Parent Union ([link removed]) .



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