CDC Says Keeping Schools Closed Is Unhealthy [semi-satire]

Semi-News/Semi-Satire ^ | 2 August 2020 | John Semmens

[John Semmens]

CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield told a House Select Subcommittee hearing that "there are significant public health consequences if schools do not reopen this Fall."

"The belief that young people are safer at home than at school is not scientifically correct," Redfield said. "The risk of COVID infection for the K through 12 student is far lower than the risk of having to do without face-to-face instruction. While the schools have been closed we've seen an increase in drug use disorder as well as suicide in adolescent individuals. We've also seen a rise in domestic abuse. On top of this many students depend on school for significant nutritional support. They won't get this support if they are not allowed to go to school. I want to make it clear that it is not a trade-off between health and the economy we're facing on this issue. Both health and the economy are damaged by keeping the schools closed."

Subcommittee Chairman James Clyburn (D-SC) said he appreciated Redfield's perspective, but assured him that "your focus is too narrow. Everything you say about the health of the children may be true, but you overlook the big picture. In that big picture it is clear that opening the schools would aid the reelection efforts of President Trump. In my view, the reelection of Trump would be more harmful than the temporary damages done by keeping children out of the schools. Sometimes we must make sacrifices for the common good. In this instance we are asking our youth to make some sacrifices for the next four months so we can save the country from another four years of Trump's misrule. I think voters will agree with me on this and support the Democrats who hold fast for keeping the schools closed until after November 3."

if you missed any of this week's other semi-news/semi-satire posts you can find them at...

http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,410102.new.html#new