3 things to know about Trump's plan for reopening schools
Trump wants schools to reopen but urges caution in ‘hotspots’
As the White House statement announcing Trump’s vision for school reopening makes clear, the president would like to see American schools “open 100 percent.”
But as he stood in front of maps highlighting the many coronavirus outbreaks nationwide, Trump acknowledged that in certain coronavirus hotspots, reopening in-person classes right away may not be feasible.
“In cities or states that are current hotspots — and you’ll see that in the map behind me — districts may need to delay reopening a few weeks, and that’s possible. That’ll be up to the governors,” Trump said.
“The decision should be made based on the data and the facts on the grounds in each community, but every district should be actively making preparations to open.”
Based on data showing coronavirus mortality rates in children, Trump argued that “many school districts can now reopen safely, provided they implement mitigation measures and health protocols to protect families, protect teachers, and protect students.”
Despite his desire to see schools reopen “100 percent,” Trump urged American families to make decisions based on their unique circumstances.
“This is especially important if a child has underlying health conditions or lives with a parent or grandparent who is at high risk,” Trump said.