California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is defending his latest decision to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Newsom recently received criticism from Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) for his move to close schools in California for the rest of the year, as IJR previously reported.
“That’s not going to work. I mean, look, the schools were just canceled out here in California, which is, you know, way overkill,” Nunes said.
Newsom responded to the backlash.
“Well, I don’t want to give him much air. I have not sourced him for advice on pretty much any issue,” Newsom said. “I say that as respectfully as I can, but particularly on public health issues.”
Watch his comments below:
Gov. @GavinNewsom on Rep. Nunes saying it was “overkill” to close Calif. schools for year: “We’ll continue to listen to the experts and try to avoid some elected officials that frankly may not have the benefit of some of the insight that many of us do.” https://t.co/A2bAom7r5k pic.twitter.com/IImhgRrNw6
— The View (@TheView) April 3, 2020
California was the first state to issue a stay-at-home order, as IJR previously reported.
Newsom explained that Nunes’ advice does not always align with what the experts are saying.
“He’s made some statements in the past that were not consistent with the advice and counsel that I’ve gotten from the experts,” Newsom said. “We’ll continue to listen to the experts and try to avoid some elected officials that frankly may not have the benefit of some of the insight that many of us do.”
He reiterated it is necessary to keep the schools closed and they will remain closed through the summer. Students will learn using distance learning.
Newsom also recognized how families are stepping in to help their kids through this time.
“Classroom work will be done…with the extraordinary heroism of mothers and working parents and caregivers that have to substitute for those teachers,” Newsom said.
He closed the exchange by recognizing the responsibility teachers have and how they are sacrificing their own time away from the classroom to take care of their own children.
The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the United States as the reported number of cases has reached at least 261,438 as of Friday afternoon.