NEW: CDC issuing new guidance for school reopenings, Pence says
Vice President Mike Pence said the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will issue new guidance for the fall’s reopening of schools.
The vice president, speaking after a meeting Wednesday of the White House Coronavirus Task Force at the Education Department, called it “absolutely essential” for students to return to the classroom for in-person learning.
School districts across the country are struggling with how to safely reopen as the coronavirus continues to surge in some states.
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Pence announced plans for new CDC guidelines shortly after President Donald Trump took to Twitter to criticize the public health agency for asking schools “to do very impractical things.”
I disagree with @CDCgov on their very tough & expensive guidelines for opening schools. While they want them open, they are asking schools to do very impractical things. I will be meeting with them!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 8, 2020
Trump also is threatening to withhold funding if schools don't reopen.
In Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and many other countries, SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH NO PROBLEMS. The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if U.S. schools open before the November Election, but is important for the children & families. May cut off funding if not open!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 8, 2020
Pence pointed to a slowing coronavirus death rate nationally and early indications of positive tests flattening in Arizona, Florida and Texas. Those three states in recent weeks have seen some of the biggest spikes in coronavirus infections.
The U.S. now has more than 3 million confirmed coronavirus cases, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
At a White House event Tuesday, health and education officials argued that keeping students out of school for the fall semester would pose greater health risks than any tied to the coronavirus.
Among those pushing for a fall reopening was the chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But Trump on Wednesday said the agency’s school opening guidelines are “very tough & expensive.”
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