Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is reminding Americans of the significance of childcare as the coronavirus pandemic has pulled kids out of school with the unlikelihood of some of them returning anytime soon.
Childcare was an integral part of Warren’s presidential campaign and she is now reiterating the need for it amid the outbreak.
During an interview with the New York Times, Warren explained certain aspects of infrastructure are better than others.
“Our roads are better. Our access to electricity is better. But our child care infrastructure is worse,” Warren said.
The New York Times noted those who seemed to agree with Warren on the issue most during her campaign were mothers. She was asked if it would be different if she were running now.
“I would agree with you that that’s who applauded. You asked me if I think it’s different now,” Warren said.
She continued, “I think more people have begun to see how child care is an essential part of making this economy work and how child care workers are among the essential workers we must have to restart our economy.”
Warren argued if the United States wants to see the economy bounce back, a boost in the nation’s G.D.P., and Americans making it back to work, the nation needs to make a “national investment” in childcare.
“Keeping our child care system afloat is key to our economic recovery. If we don’t support our child care centers and treat them like the critical infrastructure they are, millions of parents won’t be able to go back to work—even when it’s safe to do so,” Warren said.
Keeping our child care system afloat is key to our economic recovery. If we don't support our child care centers and treat them like the critical infrastructure they are, millions of parents won’t be able to go back to work—even when it's safe to do so.https://t.co/KQMmd47Su8
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) August 7, 2020
President Donald Trump is continuing to push schools to reopen, arguing the coronavirus will “go away like things go away,” as IJR previously reported.
States are taking different approaches to reopening schools.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced on Friday all school districts in the state will be allowed to reopen in the fall, as IJR previously reported.
The nation’s largest school system, New York City, is reportedly scheduled to reopen on Sept. 10.
The New York City school district is the only major district in the nation to reopen in person even part-time.