At a briefing on Wednesday, Whitehouse Coronavirus Coordinator Jeff Seienz said that with the increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron mutation, tools for children to stay in school, such as vaccination and testing, will be available. Stated.
Video transcript
Jeff Seienz: The next few weeks will be challenging. Omicron is a highly contagious variant, so cases will continue to grow. But it’s important to stay focused on three things.
First, we have the tools to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities safe. And importantly, there are the tools you need to keep your school open. The Biden administration has funded schools a $ 130 billion US rescue program to implement proven precautions, including ventilation and social distance. And an additional $ 10 billion to support testing at school.
Last March, we put teachers and school staff at the forefront and were vaccinated in front of most adults. Most teachers have been vaccinated and are currently eligible for boosters. In addition, all children over the age of 5 are eligible for vaccination. So we have the tools. We know how to keep our children safe at school.
About 96% of schools are open. Parents want the school to be open, and experts have made it clear that face-to-face learning is ideal for the physical and mental health and education of children. And the president couldn’t be clearer. Schools in this country should remain open.