Biden falsely downplays dangers of COVID-19 in schools
Speaking at a CNN town hall event in Milwaukee on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden made a series of patently false statements about the threat posed by COVID-19 to children and their parents. Biden’s false claims were aimed at convincing educators, students and parents to resume in-person learning, even though schools are major vectors for the spread of COVID-19.
In a chilling exchange with a second grade student rightly concerned that she might catch COVID-19 and possibly infect her parents, Biden flatly lied, stating, “You’re not likely to be able to be exposed to something and spread it to mommy or daddy.”
Let me get a show of hands: How many of you do not want schools back in session for in-person classes as soon as it s safe? How many of you think exclusive remote learning is by far the best way to educate kids? How many of you would rather keep teachers and students home for a long time to come?
Feb 17, 2021
The back to school debate rages on amidst the pandemic. While some large school districts reopen for in-person learning, some say we’re not ready. Will new guidance from the CDC change the conversation?
Matt Barnum, national reporter covering education policy and research for Chalkbeat. (@matt barnum)
Benjamin P. Linas, infectious disease physician and associate professor of epidemiology at the Boston University School of Medicine. (@BenjaminLinas)
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. (@rweingarten)
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Christine Kratt, third grade teacher in the San Diego Unified School District.
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