As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prepared to release new details on its guidance for the reopening of U.S. schools, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos reiterated the administration’s push to completely reopen in September and repeated Donald Trump’s threat to withdraw funds from schools that don’t
In response, a Democratic congresswoman said she “would not trust [DeVos] take care of a house plant, much less my son. “
In an interview with CNN on Sunday, DeVos said “the rule should be that children return to school this fall,” adding that the coronavirus hotspots can be “treated school by school or case by case.” “
Pressured about the CDC guidelines, which currently say that “if children come together in groups, it can put everyone at risk” and that virtual learning carries the least risk of Covid-19 spreading, DeVos said: “We know that children receive the virus at a much lower rate than any other part of the population. There is nothing in the data to suggest that children returning to school are dangerous to them. “
In response, CNN host Dana Bash cited a Missouri case where 82 positive tests were linked to a summer camp and a Texas health department announcement that more than 1,300 cases were linked to child care centers.
DeVos said: “It really is a matter of paying attention to good hygiene” through hand washing, wearing masks “when appropriate” and “staying apart socially at a distance.”
DeVos sidestepped questions about specific plans for reopening schools, saying his department had been working with school leaders who will develop their own plans for reopening. The CDC guidelines “are meant to be flexible,” he said.
Democrats criticized DeVos’ comments.
“You have no plan,” wrote Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley on Twitter. “Teachers, children, and parents fear for their lives. It points to a private sector that has put profits on people and has claimed the lives of thousands of essential workers. I would not trust you to take care of a house plant, much less for my son.
On Twitter last week, Donald Trump expressed his anger at CDC guidance, calling it “very hard” and “very expensive.” The president also wrote that in countries like Sweden, Germany and Norway, “schools are open without problems,” and threatened that “it could cut funding if [US schools do] not open”.
Those countries have seen fewer cases than the United States, which hit 3 million last week. They are also experimenting with remodeling schools around the virus, as CDC recommends, including implementing social distancing and alternate day schedules.
Such movements would require a significant investment. When asked about Trump’s funding threat on Fox News Sunday, DeVos said: “American investment in education is a promise to students and their families. If schools will not reopen and will not deliver on that promise, they should not get the funds. Then give it to the families so that they decide to go to a school that fulfills that promise. ”
In Florida, which recorded a record 15,000 new cases in 24 hours over the weekend, the education commissioner ordered the reopening of public schools in August, although the decision will ultimately be left up to local school boards.
Vice President Mike Pence has said that the CDC will issue new guidelines this week.
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