Citing Newly Announced CDC Guidance, Harris Again Urges Immediate School Reopenings
Press Release
Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., is once again calling for the reopening of schools following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) releasing guidance today to help schools execute this essential action. Congressman Harris has called for school reopenings since last summer, including recently leading a letter to President Biden urging his administration to coordinate with states to utilize the resources Congress has already provided to reopen schools safely and swiftly.
In the new guidance, CDC reiterates previous comments from Director Wolensky, arguing that "Access to vaccination should not be considered a condition for reopening schools for in-person instruction," and that "K--12 schools should be the last settings to close after all other mitigation measures in the community have been employed, and the first to reopen when they can do so safely. Schools should be prioritized for reopening and remaining open for in-person instruction over nonessential businesses and activities." Additionally, the guidance emphasizes five key mitigation strategies that are essential to the safe delivery of in-person instruction and will help to mitigate COVID-19 transmission in schools:
Universal and correct use of masks
Physical distancing
Handwashing and respiratory etiquette
Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities
Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with the health department
Congressman Harris issued the following statement:
"Now that the CDC has formally issued its guidance, which supports its own Director's recent claims, it is time our schools across Maryland immediately begin listening to the science and get our kids back in the classroom. We know it can be done safely, and our children have already suffered far too much. We cannot afford further delays, instigated by teachers unions and local leaders unwilling to accept the science -- our children, their parents, and our communities deserve nothing less."
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