Despite 3.2million confirmed US Covid-19 cases, Trump insists schools will be re-opening in September.
On Thursday, Trump tweeted that many European countries have opened their schools with “NO PROBLEMS” and that “The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if U.S. schools open before the November Election” and he “may cut off funding if not open!”. Trump maintains the Democrats are conspiring against his presidency and chances of re-election in November, using the re-opening of schools to sabotage him. Funding cuts were again threatened in another tweet on Friday, citing “virtual learning has proven to be TERRIBLE” and they “must be open in the Fall. If not open, why would the Federal Government give Funding? It won’t!!!”
The position of forced re-openings has been received as ill-timed, misinformed and unreflective of the depth of the issue by the AASA and continues to be unpopular by the Democrats and members of Trump’s own party. Congress holds the power of the purse and has voted down cuts to schools in the past.
However, some White House officials defended the sentiment asserting that if a theme park (Disney) can re-open, so can schools. As schools try to combine the instructions of the Trump administration with CDC guidelines, US Education Secretary said guidelines are “meant to be flexible and meant to be applied as appropriate for the situation”.
Written by Jessica Craighill
Artwork by Zara Masood
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