President Joe Biden believes it is time for schools to reopen safely as the country continues to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking with CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell, Biden was asked about reopening schools amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“About 20 million American children have not been in the classroom for nearly a year,” O’Donnell noted. “There’s a mental health crisis happening.”
Biden agreed that there is a mental health crisis happening before O’Donnell also noted that “women are dropping out of the workforce” and asked, “Is this a national emergency?”
The president responded, “It is a national emergency.”
When pressed further about schools, Biden said, “I think it’s time for schools to reopen safely… You have to have fewer people in the classroom. You have to have ventilation systems that have been reworked.”
Watch Biden’s interview below:
SUPER BOWL INTERVIEW: Pres. Biden sits down with @NorahODonnell for his first network interview since taking office.
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) February 7, 2021
Pres. Biden says it's time for "schools to reopen safely," adding that roughly 20 million kids not being able to attend school this year “is a national emergency" pic.twitter.com/enCZsSTwHR
Additionally, Biden noted, “Our CDC commissioner is gonna be coming out with science-based judgment within I think as early as Wednesday as to lay out what the minimum requirements are.”
Biden has made reopening schools one of his promises for his first 100 days as president.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky recently shared that the guidance on school reopening will be released shortly.
She said at a White House briefing on Friday, “Among the things that we need to do to make sure that schools are safe is to make sure that the community spread of the disease is down,” adding, “We are actively working on the guidance, the official guidance, which will be released in the week ahead.”
