Donald Trump is threatening schools, open or else he “may cut off funding.”
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
It should be noted that Denmark, Norway and Sweden had 300 coronavirus cases yesterday. The U.S. had 60,000. The Trump administration’s response to COVID-19 has been so disastrous that Americans can’t even travel to Denmark, Norway or Sweden.
And the mixed messaging was again on full display at a White House coronavirus task force briefing. The administration trotted out several officials to push the reopening of schools. Vice President Mike Pence said, “It’s absolutely essential that we get our kids back into classrooms for in-person learning.” Education Secretary Betsy Devos proclaimed, “Ultimately, it’s not a matter of if schools should reopen. Simply a matter of how. They must fully open and they must be fully operational. And how that happens is best left to education and community leaders.”
But then, Dr. Deborah Birx warned against indoor gatherings of any kind (schools?) as cases rise in many states.
“It’s not a matter of if schools reopen. It’s simply a matter of how. They must reopen and they must be fully operational,” Education Secretary Betsy DeVos says, moments after Dr. Birx warned against indoor gatherings as the numbers of Covid cases rise in many states.
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) July 8, 2020
Then there was Trump’s dismissal of the CDC guidelines to reopen schools.
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
During the briefing, the CDC director then downplayed his agency’s owns recommendations.
CDC Dir. Redfield says agency's coronavirus guidelines are not intended to be used as "a rationale to keep schools closed."
"Remember it's guidance; it's not requirements. And its purpose is to facilitate the reopening" of nation's schools. https://t.co/UydK731tLL pic.twitter.com/4aT73lXe0v
— ABC News (@ABC) July 8, 2020
Really?@VP Pence: “We don’t want the guidance from the @CDCgov to be the reason schools don’t open up.”
The CDC's job is to help schools reopen safely. If schools can't follow these guidelines, they aren't able to protect students & teachers and SHOULDN'T reopen. #covid19
— Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) July 8, 2020
Now, we’re told the CDC will have “revised guidelines” next week. As for that threat that Trump will take money away from schools, here’s what the Vice President said.
.@kaitlancollins asks why Trump is threatening to cut funding at a time schools need more. Pence: "First and foremost, it's – what you heard from the president is just his determination to provide the kind of leadership…that says that we're gonna get our kids back to school."
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) July 8, 2020
On average, public schools receive less than 10% of their funding from the U.S. government, and that money is largely devoted to helping schools serve low-income students and children with disabilities. In short, the nation’s most vulnerable students.
For decades, that funding stream has flowed through Congress with bipartisan support, and Trump has no authority to cut it off or add new requirements to funding lawmakers have already allocated.
“Congress provides federal education funding to support some of the most vulnerable young people in our country," says spox for House Approps Dems. "The President has no authority to cut off funding for these students and threatening to do so to prop up” campaign is “offensive”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) July 8, 2020
*This post contains opinion and analysis