A school on Long Island is planning to separate parents visiting the campus by vaccine status. What happened to the right of privacy for these parents? Their medical status will now be plain to see for all, even if they would have chosen otherwise. The NY Post’s Selim Algar reports:
A Long Island school district has sparked an uproar after announcing plans to separate parents by vaccination status during upcoming student concerts, The Post has learned.
The Rockville Centre School District will have a non-socially distanced section for parents who show vaccination proof upon arrival.
They will also reserve a separate, socially-distanced area for those who are unvaccinated and others who have gotten the shot but still want some additional elbow room.
Acting District Superintendent Robert Bartels told The Post that the measure will enable administrators to effectively contact trace parents in the event of an outbreak.
Bartels said some parents were uneasy with sitting at close quarters with those who are not vaccinated and that the district’s arrangement accommodates all parties.
“We wanted to get as many people in as possible without feeling uncomfortable,” he said, adding that the concerts are across all grade levels.
But a sizable group of parents — including many who are vaccinated — have voiced their opposition at school board meetings and online.
“This is segregation, pure and simple,” said one mother who said she and her family were vaccinated. “You are putting a spotlight on one group of people. That’s not what this community is about.”
Objectors have argued that the seating arrangement does not adhere to any specific state restrictions or guidelines and that surrounding districts haven’t imposed similar plans for parent events.
“Where does this end?” asked one parent. “If they are allowed to just do whatever they want regardless of state rules, what’s next? That is what’s troubling about this.”
Another parent said the separate sections would foment division in the Nassau County suburb.
“We believe that this is unjust, barbaric and would deeply wound our community,” said another parent.
