They’ve raised their hands and now they’re ready to roll up their sleeves.
Around 80% of West Virginia teachers said this week they’ll take the coronavirus vaccine when it’s their turn.
That’s according to early responses from a survey issued by the state Department of Education.
Teachers and other school personnel will line up behind medical workers and nursing home residents in the first phase of the rollout, which is expected to last through February.
Most in the Mountain State and elsewhere have treated the arrival of the inoculation like a visit from Santa on the night before Christmas.
And that’s because 24 of West Virginia’s 55 counties — including Monongalia — are currently glowing red on the COVID alert map managed by the state Department of Health and Human Resources.
Gov. Jim Justice lamented the continuing loss of life wrought by the pandemic during a press briefing on Friday.
Twenty more people were claimed in the past 24 hours, including a 17-year-old boy from Kanawha County, the governor said.
That brings the death count to 1,091, Justice said.
And that’s why, he said, taking the vaccine couldn’t be more critical, while practicing all the pandemic protocols of mask-wearing and social distancing besides.
No one has to paint a picture for Sam Brunett, the Morgantown High art teacher said.
“I just turned 56 yesterday,” he said.
“I am 100% going to take it as soon as I can get it in my body.”
While there have been concerns nationwide over side effects from the Pfizer vaccine — with just as many sanctioned counters of assurance — Brunett said he’ll take his chances for the common good of public health.
“I trust the science,” he said.
So far, he’s managed to escape COVID-19 — but not its shadow.
The educator has already had to quarantine after a colleague tested positive earlier.
Right now, he said, the heaviest shadow of all comes in the form of the silence in his classroom.
Brunett, who draws upon everything from the Old Masters to Marvel Comics for inspiration, is known for his energy and boisterous classes.
He’ll be glad, he said, when students and teachers finally get to pop out on the other side of the pandemic.
“When we have kids in school now it’s just quiet,” he said.
“They’re all wearing masks. You can see their eyes, but you can’t always gauge what they’re thinking.”
