Some education advocates are calling on New York City to do more to provide a remote learning backup plan in cases coronavirus infection rates continue to rise. 

This comes as recent data from the American Academy of Pediatrics has shown a growth in the number of children testing positive for COVID-19 across the nation.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced in May that full in-person learning will be the plan for this school year.

Councilmember Mark Treyger, however, says that New York City needs to also have a remote plan in place. “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail,” Treyger says. “…We still do not have a remote option for children in the school system and the key word here is option because I do support in-person instruction.” 

The former teacher and current chairperson of the education committee says he gets questions from principals, teachers and parents all the time regarding vaccines and quarantines.

Jennifer Azarow, a middle school teacher and parent, says 2020 demonstrated that teachers have been quick to adapt when necessary.

“I feel like everything is ready,” Azarow says. “I mean if you think about it the entire school system went fully remote in a matter of weeks.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said in a statement in part: “The past 18 months have put a stark spotlight on how nothing can replace a loving, caring in-person educator and our health and safety measures have made our buildings some of the safest places to be during the pandemic.”

The DOE announced in May its plan is to fully reopen schools this coming school year with no remote option.

News 12 reached out to the United Federation of Teachers for its stance and is waiting to hear back.