Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) shared his frustration with Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and member of the White House coronavirus task force, on why children may not be going back to school in the fall.
Confronting Fauci during his testimony in front of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on Tuesday, Paul pressed him on why it is necessary to do whatever is needed to get students back to school.
“Dr. Fauci, virtually every day we seem to hear from you things we can’t do. But when you’re asked, can we go back to school?, I don’t hear much certitude at all,” Paul said.
Fauci expressed his understanding for Paul’s frustration and shared he is in agreement with him.
“I feel very strongly we need to do whatever we can to get the children back to school. So I think we are in lock agreement with that,” Fauci said.
Watch his comments below:
Sen. Rand Paul confronts Dr. Fauci:
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 30, 2020
"Dr. Fauci, virtually every day we seem to hear from you things we can’t do. But when you’re asked, can we go back to school?, I don’t hear much certitude at all."pic.twitter.com/M9QWoPDjyD
Fauci was asked during the hearing what his advice would be to school officials on how to keep students safe as they return to school.
He noted it is going to depend on the dynamics of the outbreak in the areas where the schools are located.
According to Fauci, if Americans adhere to federal guidelines to reopening including social distancing and the use of masks, the level of community infection will stay down and children will be able to go back to school.
Check out his comments below:
Fauci explained there are steps school officials can take to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic including modifying the school schedule and allowing online virtual lessons in some circumstances.
He reiterated it is crucial for children to return to the classroom.
“It is very important to get the children back to school for the unintended negative consequences that occur when we keep them out of school,” Fauci said.