Investigate the DOE
Fail #1
The Mayor promised to Identify, Isolate and Trace COVID-19 cases. Reports reveal that contact tracing was not conducted following the first identified case on March 1. That failure extended to schools.
Fail #2
Countless school staff members who tested positive for COVID-19 sent their results to their administrations. Their schools remained open nonetheless.
Fail #3
The Department of Health failed to conduct contact tracing and inform school communities of exposure.
Fail #4
Actions taken by the city government reveal an abdication of responsibility for the health and well-being of school communities. Proper investigation, accountability and implementation of a Health Justice Agenda are non-negotiable to restore trust.
Lies they told…
“It's impossible to trace the source of exposure, but as of March 13, the City's Health Department advised that a positive case in the school or workplace environment did not put others at higher risk than did anywhere else in the city.”
- Miranda Barbot, Dept. of Ed. Spokesperson
March 25, 2020, Newsweek
“Please note that the NYC Department of Health confirmed a positive result of COVID-19 in your school community. Based on the confirmed finding, your school building was disinfected by our Department of Facilities.”
- Chancellor Carranza
March 16, 2020
Paper Trail
“School officials say: Don’t report Coronavirus symptoms to Health Department.”
— The City, 3.12.20
“‘Blood on their hands:’ Teachers say de Blasio and Carranza helped spread coronavirus.”
— NY Post, 3.21.20
“Kids and parents at Bronx schools hit by Coronavirus wait anxiously for guidance.”
— The City, 3.17.20
“Bronx school told teachers to hide coronavirus case: ‘Staff can be fired.’”
— NY Post 3.28.20
“NYC DOE tight-lipped about coronavirus cases among educators.”
— NY Post 4.4.20
COVID-19 hits NYC’s Black and Brown working class the hardest.”
— Indypendent 4.21.20