Frankfort, KY – Gov. Andy Beshear is once again playing politics with the COVID-19 pandemic by prioritizing political supporters for coronavirus vaccines while making other workers in need wait.
“Just as he has ignored legislative leaders and constitutional officers, Gov. Beshear has chosen to ignore childcare advocates. This latest outrage shows the disturbing trend of Gov. Beshear ignoring everyone but his own base of political supporters.
“Leaving childcare and daycare workers, grocers and others out in the cold is cruel – especially when they’ve been on the frontline since the beginning of the pandemic. Kentuckians need these vital services to return to work and get our economy back on track. Putting the ranks of his political supporters first while leaving other key groups behind shows that Gov. Beshear puts politics first and people second every chance he gets.” – Republican Party of Kentucky spokesman Mike Lonergan
A recent news report from the Courier-Journal shows that the Beshear Administration ignored recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) to include childcare workers in early rounds of vaccination schedules along with other key groups such as the elderly, first responders, and more.
While these groups continue to wait, Gov. Beshear prioritizes vaccine access for public school teachers even while delaying Kentucky students’ full return to in-person learning. This comes despite guidance from the CDC director that vaccination is not a prerequisite for safely reopening schools.
Meanwhile, public school employee unions account for some of Gov. Beshear’s biggest political contributors.
Background
Beshear Ignored CDC Guidelines to Include Daycare Workers in Early Vaccine Rounds – Unlike Many Other States
“Kentucky is one of only a handful of states that did not prioritize child care workers with other education employees, as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a recent report in EdSurge, an online education news site.”
(‘We’re still taking risks’: Preschool teachers shut out of early round of COVID-19 vaccine Courier-Journal, Deborah Yetter, 2/5/21)
Beshear’s Administration Has Not Responded to Childcare Advocates Seeking an Answer on these Concerns
“But pleas to the Beshear administration have gone unheeded, said Bradley Stevenson, executive director of the Child Care Council of Kentucky, an advocacy group based in Lexington. ‘We have gotten zero response from the administration,’ Stevenson said. ‘None.’” (‘We’re still taking risks’: Preschool teachers shut out of early round of COVID-19 vaccine Courier-Journal, Deborah Yetter, 2/5/21)
Meanwhile, Beshear’s Administration Continues to Delay a Full Return to In-Person Learning
“Gov. Beshear said he is working with the Kentucky Department of Education to create a plan where all schools can reopen for some form of in-person learning March 1. But, he noted that through the end of this school year, all schools will need to have a virtual option for parents who choose it.” (Press Release, Office of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, 2/3/21)
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky Says Vaccinating all Teachers is not a Prerequisite for Safely Reopening Schools
“Vaccination of teachers is not a prerequisite for the safe reopening of schools.” – U.S. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky (CDC director says it’s not necessary for teachers to be vaccinated in order to reopen schools, Anne Flaherty & Sophie Tatum, ABC News, 2/3/21)
Public School Unions Are Amongst Beshear’s Biggest Campaign Contributors & Political Supporters
“KEPAC is one of three teachers’ groups that have pumped $1.2 million into the coffers of Kentucky Family Values and another super PAC backed by the Democratic Governors Association, Bluegrass Values.” (Fox 41 WDRB, KY Education Association’s political arm gives $100K to pro-Beshear super PAC, Kevin Wheatley, 10/14/19)
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Mike Lonergan
Communications Director
Republican Party of Kentucky
(614) 506-3242 (Cell)
Ever hear that old saying Dance with the one who got you there
Why would a member of the teacher’s union vote for someone who want’s to cut there pension ?
Thank you Mr. Lonergan. This governor’s liberal ways disgusts me.
The poor GOP and the followers of Q can not stand that Kentucky has received accolades for providing teachers vaccinations. The GOP wanted the schools
open but they didn’t feel the teachers needed to be vaccinated. But those GOP Covid denying legislators sure rolled up their sleeves when the vaccines came to them. They weren’t willing to give up their place in the vaccine line to someone MUCH more worthy than them…..
The Q Party is loyal to one person there is no longer a republican party
Totally agree! They want the teachers to teach, but don’t want to keep them safe.
It’s amazing how people who want to be viewed as Christians can hate a Governor who is trying to save their life while hero worshiping a Whore Monger and his Porn Star Whore wife. Republican ignorant at its finest.
Couldn’t say it any better
Well, I see the lazer is finally showing itself for what it is. Just another lamestream liberal website. Let libtards post and stiffel conserveitive voices…didn’t take long did it mark? Watch how fast you go down, because you’ve forgotten where you are and who the majority of your readers are!
Charley be nice