'The president wants schools to reopen - science shouldn't get in the way'
GETTING KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM
PUTS PARENTS BACK TO WORK
MAKING AMERICA'S BILLIONAIRES RICHER
Trump press secretary says 'science should not stand in the way' of schools reopening
The fresh effort to send children back to classrooms comes despite a new poll showing most Americans do not think it is safe.
The fresh effort to send children back to classrooms comes despite a new poll showing most Americans do not think it is safe.
Friday 17 July 2020
The White House press secretary has revived Donald Trump's calls for schools to reopen, saying "the science should not stand in the way of this".
Echoing the president's push for pupils to return to classrooms, Kayleigh McEnany said "we don't think children should be locked up at home, with devastating consequences".
"You know, the president has said unmistakably that he wants schools to open, and I was just in the Oval talking to him about that, and when he says open, he means open in full - kids being able to attend each and every day at their school. The science should not stand in the way of this."
She claimed "many medical experts" had said it was safe for children to attend schools, before later adding: "The science is on our side here, and we encourage localities and states to just simply follow the science."
Ms McEnany also said a study had indicated that the risk to children from COVID-19 was "far less" than that from seasonal flu.
Despite Donald Trump's urgings, a new poll has shown only one in four Americans thinks it is safe for public schools to reopen this autumn as US coronavirus cases climb.
Four in 10 parents said they would probably keep their children at home if classes resume, the Reuters/Ipsos survey indicates.
The July 14-15 national online poll was conducted as the US's 13,000 school districts grappled with how to safely resume instruction after closing in the spring as infections spread.
Only 26% of American adults said they thought it was safe for schools in their community to bring students back, while 55% felt they were not safe, and 19% were not sure.
The White House press secretary has revived Donald Trump's calls for schools to reopen, saying "the science should not stand in the way of this".
Echoing the president's push for pupils to return to classrooms, Kayleigh McEnany said "we don't think children should be locked up at home, with devastating consequences".
"You know, the president has said unmistakably that he wants schools to open, and I was just in the Oval talking to him about that, and when he says open, he means open in full - kids being able to attend each and every day at their school. The science should not stand in the way of this."
She claimed "many medical experts" had said it was safe for children to attend schools, before later adding: "The science is on our side here, and we encourage localities and states to just simply follow the science."
Ms McEnany also said a study had indicated that the risk to children from COVID-19 was "far less" than that from seasonal flu.
Despite Donald Trump's urgings, a new poll has shown only one in four Americans thinks it is safe for public schools to reopen this autumn as US coronavirus cases climb.
Four in 10 parents said they would probably keep their children at home if classes resume, the Reuters/Ipsos survey indicates.
The July 14-15 national online poll was conducted as the US's 13,000 school districts grappled with how to safely resume instruction after closing in the spring as infections spread.
Only 26% of American adults said they thought it was safe for schools in their community to bring students back, while 55% felt they were not safe, and 19% were not sure.
New coronavirus infections are now climbing in 40 states, while 22 states have either paused or reversed efforts to reopen their economies, according to Bank of America.
Florida reported a single-day record of 156 deaths, along with nearly 14,000 new cases, reflecting a broader trend this week that has seen the national death rate spike.
The seven-day rolling average for new deaths has risen to 730, up more than 21% from a week ago.
Florida reported a single-day record of 156 deaths, along with nearly 14,000 new cases, reflecting a broader trend this week that has seen the national death rate spike.
The seven-day rolling average for new deaths has risen to 730, up more than 21% from a week ago.
AFTER SAYING
Trump press secretary says 'science should not stand in the way' of schools reopening
SHE SAYS
Covid 19 coronavirus: Kayleigh McEnany argues science favours reopening schools in the US
THAT'S BECAUSE THE DOCTOR SHE QUOTES IS
PRO PRIVATIZED HEALTH CARE
17 Jul, 2020
'Science shouldn't stand in the way of this' - White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany as Trump pushes to reopen schools in the pandemic.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany has been roasted over an awkwardly worded quote in which she said science "should not stand in the way" of the United States reopening its schools.
Ms McEnany's boss, US President Donald Trump, has been pushing hard for schools to reopen, despite the accelerating spread of the coronavirus throughout the country.
The US has recorded more than 70,000 new infections on multiple days this week. The state of Florida alone is identifying more cases each day than some countries have recorded during the entire pandemic.
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White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany speaks during a press briefing at the White House today. Photo / AP
Nevertheless, last week Mr Trump pressured the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to relax its recommendations for how schools can safely reopen, calling the agency's guidelines too "tough and expensive".
The CDC advice said schools should maintain proper social distancing, clean their facilities, avoid sharing objects between students and stop serving communal meals in their cafeterias.
Mr Trump has threatened to cut off funding for schools that stay closed, though he doesn't actually have the power to follow through.
In Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and many other countries, SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH NO PROBLEMS. 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. May cut off funding if not open!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 8, 2020
The subject came up during today's White House media briefing.
"The President has said unmistakably that he wants schools to open. And I was just in the Oval Office talking to him about that. And when he says open, he means open in full – kids being able to attend, each and every day, at their school," Ms McEnany told reporters.
"The science should not stand in the way of this."
She went on to quote
Dr Scott Atlas, a physician who works for the Hoover Institution think tank.
Dr Atlas has slammed Mr Trump's political opponents for claiming that reopening schools will help the virus spread.
HE IS PRO AMERICAN HEALTHCARE PRO PRIVATE MARKET DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE ***
"I'm not sure how many times it has to be said, but the risk of children from this disease and the fatality is nearly zero," Dr Atlas told Fox News on Monday.
"The risk to children of a significant illness (from coronavirus) is far less than from the seasonal flu. This is totally antithetical to the data."
He labelled concerns about opening schools "hysteria", and said people "all over the world" were "stunned that we are willing to just simply destroy our children on some bizarre notion that's completely contrary to the science".
Ms McEnany also highlighted a study from the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics, which found coronavirus is severe "far less" frequently in children than in adults, and concluded kids are at "far greater risk" from influenza.
The journal also recently published an article arguing the "profound consequences" of closing schools "cannot be overlooked". Those consequences include "regressions in academic gains, heightened depression and anxiety symptoms, greater digital dependence and numerous unmet social needs".
BUT SHE DID NOT SAY WHERE HER QUOTE IS FROM JAMA IS A BIG JOURNAL LOTS OF ARTICLES, AND SOME EVEN ARE CONTRADICTORY
"The science is very clear on this," Ms McEnany said.
"The science is on our side here, and we encourage localities and states to just simply follow the science, open our schools.
"It's very damaging to our children. There is a lack of reporting on abuse, there are mental depressions that are not addressed when students are not in school. Our schools are extremely important, they're essential, and they must reopen."
In context, it's clear that Ms McEnany was arguing the science supports Mr Trump's push to reopen schools. But her quote that the science "should not stand in the way" seemed to suggest the opposite.
Naturally, that is the quote everyone on the internet has pounced on.
"Science should not stand in the way of this.” Is the defining quote of the Trump administration’s response to coronavirus. https://t.co/QkXI0DVVzZ— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) July 16, 2020
So is "science on our side" or "science should not stand in the way of this"? She said both. https://t.co/XiHAVcY9Q1— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) July 17, 2020
Science should not stand in the way......
Excuse me while I puke https://t.co/waGqPWgN5z— Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) July 16, 2020
Okay so which is it.. listen to science or don't listen to science? The health of our children and educators shouldn't be put at risk just because POTUS can't make up his mind on which science to listen to.pic.twitter.com/l6BOfUYACm— Phil Arballo (@PhilArballo2020) July 16, 2020
"The SCIENCE SHOULD NOT STAND in the Way" of KILLING CHILDREN Forcing them to go to School in a Pandemic, infecting Communities. Are you insane?!?? You want to ignore scientific facts?!? Trump & Kayleigh McEnany 🤬 WATCH THIS⬇️ pic.twitter.com/zMYMotaX9x— DanielNewmaη 404-737-1636 (@DanielNewman) July 16, 2020
Yes the science is very clear on this, it predicts that if you open schools in communities with high levels of virus transmission teachers, staff, bus drivers will get sick. But if you first create a plan to greatly reduce virus transmission you can do things like reopen schools https://t.co/KO8j0gGDq9— Prof Peter Hotez MD PhD (@PeterHotez) July 16, 2020
Former White House physician Ronny Jackson, who is now a Republican political candidate, backed up Ms McEnany during an interview with Fox News Radio.
"If they're going home and they've got elderly parents or grandparents, we've got to make considerations for that, they've got to be careful," Dr Jackson conceded.
"But we shouldn't be worried about the kids when they go to school. They are not the concern here."
Ms McEnany herself called the reaction to her comments "a case study in media bias".
Case Study in Media Bias:
I said: “The science is very clear on this...the science is on our side here. We encourage our localities & states to just simply follow the science. Open our schools.”
But leave it to the media to deceptively suggest I was making the opposite point! https://t.co/vlxk3zRsgh— Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) July 16, 2020
She found an unlikely defender in the form of CNN anchor Jake Tapper, a frequent critic of the Trump administration.
"I think she was trying to say the science shouldn't stand in the way because the science is on our side," Tapper told his viewers.
"I don't know that all of the science is on their side. Certainly, this White House, their respect for science knows bounds, let's put it that way. But I think that's what she was getting at."
He urged people to read the Press Secretary's "entire comment".
"She's arguing that the science is on the side of those who want to open them. She cites the JAMA study. I'm not taking a position on the matter, but be fair."
***A Diagnosis At Odds With A Treatment Plan
BY THOMAS MILLER
In Excellent Health: Setting The Record Straight On America’s Health Care By Scott W. Atlas Stanford (CA): Hoover Institution Press, 2011 359 pp.; $24.95
EXCERPT
Atlas provides an antidote for any readers who might have overdosed on one too many critiques of US health care, and his databased arguments about the many achievements of our nation’s health system provide necessary balance to an often one-sided “debate.” Unfortunately, when it comes to the overall book, the whole is less than the sum of its parts. The author’s primary discussion of how the United States stacks up compared to other major countries in treating serious illnesses seems disconnected from the disappointing policy reform recommendations in the closing chapter.
A basketball scout might describe Atlas as a hard-nosed, full-court-press defender of the private market side of the US health care system. His vigorous case for the high quality of American medicine is overloaded with citations to evidence in peer-reviewed articles. Indeed, In Excellent Health provides a onestop shopping mall for market-friendly researchers and policy advocates.
The book argues relentlessly for the propositions that the most important role of health care is to diagnose and treat serious diseases, and that the United States excels in producing superior outcomes despite a heavy burden: It contains a higher percentage of people who previously smoked cigarettes or are obese—two long-term biological risk factors—than any other country in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
That same basketball scout might note that after Atlas finishes playing defense and gains possession of the health reform ball, he does not make a smooth transition in calling the plays on offense. He brushes over the conflicts and contradictions between his diagnosis (US health care quality and outcomes are terrific!) and his health reform treatment plan (costs are exploding, and we have to get the government out of the health insurance business). In other words, if we are so good at health care in this country, why does Atlas nevertheless recommend major structural reforms for the US health system?
The Scott Atlas view of health care does not examine wide variations in the cost and quality of health services within and across different geographic regions and market areas in the United States. His objective is to rebut previous comparisons of other nations’ health systems with American-style medicine, although he really focuses almost exclusively on comparisons made by the World Health Organization (WHO)
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