President Donald Trump is facing some backlash for reportedly suggesting governors should “seriously consider” reopening schools.
During a conference call with state governors on Monday, Trump urged governors to consider resuming school because children have appeared to do well with the disaster, according to ABC News, who obtained an audio clip.
“Some of you might start thinking about school openings. Because a lot of people are wanting to have the school openings. It’s not a big subject, young children have done very well in this disaster that we’ve all gone through,” Trump said. “So a lot of people are thinking about the school openings.”
Later in the day, Trump also discussed schools during the White House press conference. He claimed many governors are now mulling over the reopening of schools for the duration of the current school year.
“Many are thinking about their school system. Not a long way to go in the school system right now… for this year,” Trump said. “But I think you’ll see a lot of schools open up, even if it’s for a very short period of time.”
Trump went on to explain why he believes schools could reopen. The president also believes governors could reopen school systems despite states being unprepared to open.
“I think it would be a good thing. Because as you see, in terms of what this vicious virus goes after, young people seem to do very well. Young people seem to do very well. So, I know there are some governors that aren’t necessarily ready to open up their states but they may be ready to open up their school systems. We’ll see, but that’s their choice.”
See Trump’s remarks below:
“I think you will see a lot of schools open up, even for a short period of time … in terms of what this vicious virus goes after, young people seem to do very well.” — Trump, ignoring that kids can spread the virus to others pic.twitter.com/ajdCwjgDRa
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 27, 2020
While many schools and collegiate institutions hope to reopen in the fall, Trump is under fire for reportedly urging for governors to “maybe get going on it,” which regards to reopening schools at the moment.
Many have taken to Twitter to react, insisting Trump’s suggestions are “reckless” and “irresponsible.”
While federal guidelines still call for physical distancing, Trump says it would be "a good thing" for schools to reopen this academic year.
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) April 27, 2020
For most schools, this academic year ends in May or June. That's reckless and irresponsible advice.
Trump is now suggesting that schools open up because "young people seem to be doing very well," apparently unaware that children are also contracting and dying from coronavirus.
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) April 27, 2020
testing is still aspirational but Trump says reopen up and send kids back to school. that would be a good thing.
— Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) April 27, 2020
Although Trump insists children have faired well with the virus, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report suggests children could be asymptomatic carriers of the coronavirus, contributing to the spread. If the report is accurate, reopening schools could lead to a coronavirus spread among faculty members.
Additionally, though “relatively few children with COVID-19 are hospitalized,” there have been three children who have died from the virus, according to the CDC.
As of Tuesday morning, there are more than 1 million positive coronavirus cases in the United States.
