Schumer Flip-Flop: Now is the (Politically Convenient) Time to Open Schools

After weeks of Democrats criticizing President Trump’s stance on safely re-opening schools this fall, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer appears to have come to his senses recently insisting that if the nation doesn’t re-open schools this fall, the economy will be significantly hurt—which is what President Trump has been saying all along.

Interestingly enough, a mere four days earlier Schumer tweeted that schools should reopen only after the federal government gives them more funding. This, however, would delay re-openings and as Schumer said in his about-face, hurt the economy. It should be also be noted that Schumer’s sudden support for schools re-opening came after New York’s Governor and Democrat darling Andrew Cuomo declared that all New York schools are cleared to re-open.

While these are great steps forward in terms of getting students back in the classroom this fall, Democrats’ quick reversal on school re-opening proves that the education of American children was a pawn for them while they played politics. President Trump, however, has taken decisive action all along and worked diligently with his administration to ensure America’s schools can re-open safely in the fall. Prolonged periods of absence from physical learning in the classroom hurts students’ abilities to advance academically; and studies show that while long term school closures adversely affect students from all backgrounds, it is especially harmful to those in disadvantaged communities.

The CDC has released tools and guidelines to help schools re-open safely this fall. CDC director Dr. Robert R. Redfield said:

“It is critically important for our public health to open schools this fall. The CDC resources released will help parents, teachers and administrators make practical, safety-focused decisions as this school year begins. I know this has been a difficult time for our Nation’s families. School closures have disrupted normal ways of life for children and parents, and they have had negative health consequences on our youth. CDC is prepared to work with K-12 schools to safely reopen while protecting the most vulnerable.”

Americans don’t want leaders who will only stand by our children when it is convenient for them. Thanks to President Trump, America has created a domestic supply chain and has the resources to combat the coronavirus, we have implemented measures to stop the spread, and we’ve cut federal red tape to expedite the creation of a vaccine. The time for Democrats political games is over; America is in a good place and with the guidance of experts, we must re-open schools for the sake of America’s children whose academic success and development depend on in-person classes and for the 5.6 million American parents who will be unable to return to work if schools do not reopen in the fall.