The president asked Redfield to discuss the immediate needs of the K-12 public schools, as many districts hope to reopen in the fall.
Attendees, speaking in the background, said the committee was told that Redfield would not appear, under the direction of the White House. The White House and CDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“It is alarming that the Trump Administration is preventing CDC from appearing before the Committee at a time when its experience and guidance is so critical to the health and safety of students, parents and educators,” Scott said in a statement. “This lack of transparency greatly hurts the many communities across the country that face tough decisions about reopening schools this fall.”
“The Administration’s strategy of prioritizing science policy has had a devastating impact on our country during this pandemic,” added Scott. “You shouldn’t make the same mistake when it comes to reopening schools.”
The announcement comes as the CDC has delayed the release of a new guide on the safe reopening of schools. The move is also a change in the accessibility of CDC officials testifying in Congress. The director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health had testified before the committee in May.
Vice President Mike Pence had said that the CDC will issue guidance for schools this week. But Redfield, speaking during one of the White House summit sessions on reopening schools earlier this month, said the CDC was in the process of providing more guidance and more “consideration documents” in the coming years. weeks.
“CDC documents on the safe reopening of schools will not be released this week; instead, the full set will be released before the end of the month,” said a CDC spokesperson.
“These science and evidence-based resources and tools will provide additional information for administrators, teachers and staff, parents, caregivers, and guardians, as together we work toward the public health-oriented goal of safely opening schools this fall, “added the spokesperson. .
