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CDC to Issue New School Guidelines After Trump Criticism

VOA News

   Federal health officials will issue new guidelines for reopening U.S.
   schools after President Donald Trump criticized the current
   recommendations as tough, expensive andimpractical.

   The coronavirus pandemic forced nearly all public and private schools
   in the United States to lock their doors, and Trump is threatening to
   cut federal funding to schools that stay shut.

   "We want to reopen the schools. Everybody wants it. The moms want it,
   the dads want it, the kids want it. It's time to do it," Trump said in
   a meeting with health and education officials.

   Vice President Mike Pence, who leads the White House coronavirus task
   force, told reporters Wednesday that the Centers for Disease Control
   and Prevention would update its guidelines for safely reopening
   schools. It plans to announce the new recommendations next week.

   "We can't let our kids fall behind academically," Pence said. "It's
   absolutely essential that we get our kids back into classrooms for
   in-person learning."

   Children can spread virus

   Doctors believe children 12 and younger have a low risk of getting sick
   from the coronavirus. But youngsters can still spread it to older
   people, including their parents.

   The previous CDC recommendations for schoolsto avoid spreading COVID-19
   include keeping classroom windows open, spacing desks at least 2 meters
   apart when possible, and keeping cafeterias and playgrounds closed.

   Trump tweeted: "I disagree with @CDC.govon their very tough & expensive
   guidelines for opening schools. While they want them open, they are
   asking schools to do very impractical things."

   A Trump tweet also indicated he thinks keeping schools shut hurts his
   chances of winning a second term.

   "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," he wrote.

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