FOIA'd Texts Reveal that Rochelle Wallensky and AFT Union Leader Randi Weingartner Conspired to Change the Criteria for Re-Opening Schools, To Keep Them Closed Longer

The teachers unions really care about the kids.

American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten voiced concern to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Rochelle Walensky about the language of the federal agency's February 2021 school opening guidance a day before it was made public, according to newly reported texts that shed light on their friendly relationship.

The text messages showing the chummy exchange between Weingarten and Walensky were obtained by the Fairfax County Parents Association through a Freedom of Information Act request with the CDC.

The text chains seem to show Walensky caving to pressure applied by Weingarten to keep schools shuttered in February 2021 and then thanking Weingarten, whom she refers to as her "friend," after the union released a statement praising the health agency.

On Feb. 11, 2021, a day before the CDC issued guidance that put the brakes on full, in-person instruction in schools, text messages show Weingarten informed Walensky that she had learned of language in the incoming guidance that seemed "at odds" with something they had previously discussed.

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The powerful union boss then sends Walensky language that she claims "was leaked by someone in agency" to the news outlet that reads, in part, "all schools can provide in-person instruction (either full or hybrid), through strict adherence to mitigation strategies."

The following day, when the CDC released its operation guidance for schools, the phrase "all schools can provide in-person instruction" was modified to "all schools have options to provide in-person instruction."

Weingarten then texts Walensky a link to the AFT's press release on the guidance which includes her glowing statement about the CDC.

posted by Ace at 03:33 PM

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