President Trump said he would be happy for his son and grandchildren to return to school, as he stepped up his appeals for schools across the country to reopen in the fall despite fears of another surge in coronavirus cases.
For the second time in two days, Trump Wednesday appeared alone in the White House briefing room without any members of the coronavirus task force to give an update on the pandemic.
He announced his administration will provide $5 billion for nursing homes in the worst-hit states, along with increased testing of staff, part of what he said was a strategy designed to protect the most vulnerable while allowing younger people to get back to work or school.
And, when asked whether he planned to send the children in his own family — son, Barron, and grandchildren — back to school, he said yes.
“I am comfortable with that, and we do have a national strategy. As you know, ultimately, it’s up to the governors of the states,” he said, adding that he wanted 100% of schools open.
The question is one of the trickiest issues facing his administration. Many parents cannot return to work unless their children can go back to school, yet only about 1 in 10 people think day care centers, preschools, or K-12 schools should open without restrictions in the fall, according to a new poll from the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs.
The issue is at the heart of negotiations for a fourth congressional aid package. While both sides back about $100 billion in support for schools and universities, Republicans want to earmark about half the money for schools that want to teach classes in person.
And Trump has threatened to withhold federal funding from schools that fail to reopen in the fall.
He made his case on Wednesday that allowing children, who generally suffer milder symptoms from COVID-19, to return would not endanger their families.
“They do say they don’t transmit very easily, and a lot of people are saying they don’t transmit,” he said.
“And we’re looking at that … we’re studying very hard that particular subject, that they don’t bring it home with them.”
Recent research from South Korea revealed that children older than 10 do spread the disease more than younger ones.
Trump set out his stance on schools as part of an overall policy he said was designed to protect those in need.
“Our strategy is to shelter the highest risk Americans while allowing younger and healthier citizens to return to work or school while being careful and very vigilant,” he said. “Wear a mask, socially distance, and repeatedly wash your hands.”
The additional funding came after presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced a plan to expand and subsidize alternatives to institutional care for elderly adults.
As he did Tuesday, Trump struck a more measured tone than briefings in March and April when he clashed repeatedly with reporters.
Advisers have urged him at times to use empathy more often to connect with viewers tuning in to hear their fears being addressed.
He said: “I want to send a message of support and hope to every senior citizen who has been dealing with the struggle of isolation in what should be the golden years of your life. We will get to the other end of that tunnel very quickly. We hope the light is starting to shine.”
