By Elizabeth Elizalde
What’s the rush, Blaz?
Over half of New York City parents say Mayor de Blasio is rushing kids to go back to full-time, in-person school this fall, according to a new survey.
The study of 500 parents with children ages 4 to 17 – who go to NYC public schools – found 55% of them feel the mayor is hurrying kids to go back to in-person classes after more than a year of remote or hybrid learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fifty-eight percent of parents said they’re hesitant to let their kids go back to school full-time even though 48% said their children have been vaccinated.
Meanwhile, 41% are planning to have their kids vaccinated once they're eligible, and 12% of respondents said they’re not having their kids get the shot.
And of those polled, 61% said they’re disappointed in de Blasio’s decision to officially end remote learning for all children, according to the research conducted by OnePoll.
The results come after de Blasio announced Monday that there will be no remote learning option for the city’s one million students this fall and demanded they must return to in-person classes.
“New York City public schools – one million kids – will be back in their classroom in September, all in-person, no remote,” the mayor said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show.
For parents with social distancing concerns, Hizzoner said he’s welcoming them to visit their kids’ schools starting in June, and throughout the summer, to see the progress the city has made to keep students safe.
Data also showed 55% of parents are worried their kids might pose a threat to unvaccinated family members, compared to 28% who don’t have any concerns.