OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says President Donald Trump’s comments earlier this week pressuring governors to open schools in the fall were “hogwash” and he said the state will not be bullied into making potentially unsafe decisions during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Trump has argued that some states are keeping schools closed not because of the risks from COVID-19 but for political reasons and he threatened to hold back federal money if school districts didn’t bring back students in the fall.
The president on Wednesday pushed for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to change the guidelines it issued for the reopening of schools, calling them “very tight (and) expensive.”
I disagree with @CDCgov on their very tough & expensive guidelines for opening schools. While they want them open, they are asking schools to do very impractical things. I will be meeting with them!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 8, 2020
Some of the suggestions by the CDC include keeping desks at least 6 feet apart and for students to wear masks. The guidelines also say schools should close cafeterias and playgrounds where can students gather in large groups. Where needed, schools should also have physical barriers.
Click here to read the primary guidance issued to schools.
CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield on Thursday said the guidelines would not be changed despite Trump’s statements. Redfield said the CDC will issue more reference documents on how schools could resume in-person learning for the 2020-21 school year.
Inslee said that he is meeting with state schools superintendent Chris Reykdal next week to discuss how schools will approach fall instruction.
Earlier this week, Reykdal told KIRO 7 there will be “some form” of remote learning in almost every district next year.
“They’ll be some form of blended learning just to accommodate all the needs of families,” Reykdal said.
Exact details of the state’s template haven’t been released.
Information from The Associated Press’ Rachel La Corte is included in this report
Cox Media Group
