Chairman Scott Statement on CDC’s School Reopening Guidance
WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Centers on Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published new guidance on safely reopening schools.
“The CDC’s updated guidance on safely reopening schools makes a clear case for why Congress must swiftly enact President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Many schools across the country simply cannot afford to take the safety precautions that CDC recommends in order to protect students and school staff from COVID-19.
“Maintaining physical distancing, updating and repairing ventilation systems, purchasing personal protective equipment, and other important safety measures all cost money that schools do not have. This is particularly true for schools in low-income areas that lacked adequate funding well before the pandemic.
“There is no question that getting students back into the classroom is critical for their education, their access to nutrition, their mental health, and the ability of school professionals to recognize and address instances of child abuse and neglect. School reopening decisions should not be based on politics – they should be based on whether schools can comply with CDC’s science-based guidelines. Congress must make the necessary investments to help schools take the steps needed to safely reopen for in-person instruction.
“On Wednesday, the Committee passed its portion of the American Rescue Plan that included a $130 billion investment in reopening schools safely. The CDC guidance only increases the urgency of passing this COVID-19 relief package and getting schools the resources they need to safely reopen for in-person instruction and protect students and staff from this deadly virus.”
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