https://sputnikglobe.com/20211107/american-federation-of-teachers-president-faces-criticism-for-removing-mask-at-somos-conference-1090542814.html

American Federation of Teachers President Faces Criticism for Removing Mask at SOMOS Conference

Sputnik International

In August, Weingarten spoke in favor of children wearing face masks at school, saying that "universal masking" is the safest way to keep schools open. 07.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-07T11:06+0000

2022-08-06T13:25+0000

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American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten has been facing criticism after photos of her sitting maskless at the 2021 SOMOS conference in Puerto Rico emerged online. Adriana Aviles, a parent, shared the photos, writing: "...I wonder if anyone needed proof of Vax to attend this 'work vaca'..."Weingarten tweeted in response to explain why she had decided to remove a mask.She defended her action by saying that the requirements for participating in the conference were strict enough to keep those present safe. However, she admitted that her action could not have been justified anyway.As the conversation unfolded on Twitter many other concerned parents joined in to try and get their point of view across.Some of the parents sounded even more straightforward: "...we are one of the few countries masking toddlers and grade school children...It’s not lost on me that this severe obligation on kids would not exist if it weren’t for Ms. Weingarten and the other corrupt leaders that run our public education system."Before the school year began, Weingarten spoke in favour of children being required to wear masks at school."We see the Delta variant be very transmissible...Masks stop transmission, so universal masking is going to be very helpful to keep kids safe, to keep the unvaccinated safe, and to keep schools open," she said in an interview with CNN.

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American Federation of Teachers President Faces Criticism for Removing Mask at SOMOS Conference

11:06 GMT 07.11.2021 (Updated: 13:25 GMT 06.08.2022)

© PAUL MORIGIRandi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, along with members of Congress, parents and caregiving advocates hold a press conference supporting Build Back Better investments in home care, childcare, paid leave and expanded CTC payments in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on October 21, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, along with members of Congress, parents and caregiving advocates hold a press conference supporting Build Back Better investments in home care, childcare, paid leave and expanded CTC payments in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on October 21, 2021 in Washington, DC. - Sputnik International, 1920, 07.11.2021

Sofia Chegodaeva

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In August, Weingarten spoke in favor of children wearing face masks at school, saying that "universal masking" is the safest way to keep schools open.

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten has been facing criticism after photos of her sitting maskless at the 2021 SOMOS conference in Puerto Rico emerged online.

Adriana Aviles, a parent, shared the photos, writing: "...I wonder if anyone needed proof of Vax to attend this 'work vaca'..."

Gotta love when school leaders @rweingarten @DOEChancellor mingle with others..in a packed room...with no masks..yet...I wonder if everyone needed proof of Vax to attend this 'work vaca'...they sure didn't need masks...@AppletoZucchini @daniela127 @Chalkbeat pic.twitter.com/Tjr4dQsiu1
— Adriana Aviles (@nanalatinaAA) November 5, 2021

Weingarten tweeted in response to explain why she had decided to remove a mask.

I wear a mask most of the time indoors. We took them off as people were having a hard time hearing us
— Randi Weingarten (@rweingarten) November 6, 2021

She defended her action by saying that the requirements for participating in the conference were strict enough to keep those present safe. However, she admitted that her action could not have been justified anyway.

You could not be #Somos or the hotel or panel w/o proof of vaccination. I had also just done a rapid Covid test & was negative.Frankly I think you are right. If kids are wearing masks in schools to protect themselves & others educators must wear masks inside as well. I’m sorry.
— Randi Weingarten (@rweingarten) November 6, 2021

As the conversation unfolded on Twitter many other concerned parents joined in to try and get their point of view across.

But you enjoyed not having to wear a mask, right? While students in the city you live in - many of whom are vaccinated - have to wear their masks for 6+ hrs every day, even outdoors, while they're in school. If you claim to be pro-student, as you claim, it's time to take a stand.
— Daniela Jampel (@daniela127) November 6, 2021

Some of the parents sounded even more straightforward:

"...we are one of the few countries masking toddlers and grade school children...It’s not lost on me that this severe obligation on kids would not exist if it weren’t for Ms. Weingarten and the other corrupt leaders that run our public education system."

Before the school year began, Weingarten spoke in favour of children being required to wear masks at school.

"We see the Delta variant be very transmissible...Masks stop transmission, so universal masking is going to be very helpful to keep kids safe, to keep the unvaccinated safe, and to keep schools open," she said in an interview with CNN.