Teachers Declared Essential Workers As Fall Semester Approaches

As schools across the nation have reopened or prepare to reopen, teachers are officially declared essential workers. Vice President Mike Pence made the announcement earlier this week. This is considered to be just another effort by the White House to encourage schools to reopen for in-person instruction. The new essential worker designation now subjects teachers to the same kinds of advisories that doctors and law enforcement officers follow. This includes their ability to continue working despite being exposed to the coronavirus, as long as they are asymptomatic. The decision to declare teachers as essential workers remains controversial as potential outbreaks within schools are a major point of concern. In Utah, Governor Gary Herber announced K-12 students and teachers can now be charged with misdemeanor offenses if they do not wear some type of face covering while on school property.  Violators could face up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.