How COVID-19 School Closures are Affecting American Children
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, recently testified before a House subcommittee on COVID-19 school closures (Mariam Zuhaib/AP Photo). The prolonged closure of schools across the United States due to the Omicron surge has had a profound impact on American children. From emotional and physical strain to intellectual setbacks, millions of children are still struggling with the consequences of being confined at home.
In contrast, Germany’s health minister, Karl Lauterbach, admitted that school closures were a “big mistake.” However, no similar acknowledgment has been made in the United States. As time goes on, positions on school closures have become more entrenched, which could give an advantage to Republicans in the upcoming 2024 election. Republicans generally favored reopening schools and society faster than Democrats.
“The Democratic Party is responsible for these prolonged school closures, and public health aligns very strongly with Democrats,” said Dr. Monica Gandhi from the University of California at San Francisco. “Moreover, it may be that admitting wrong looks like they were at fault. Instead of apologizing, politicians in this country seem to take a position of doubling down. I do not understand it.”
New Report Sheds Light on Failures
A recent report titled “Lessons From the Covid War” by the Covid Crisis Group sheds light on the failures in the nation’s response to the coronavirus. Led by Philip Zelikow, the executive director of the 9/11 panel, the commission includes experts from various fields. The report criticizes the lack of a plan by the Trump administration to safely reopen schools and highlights the need for dedicated funds from Congress to support this effort. It emphasizes that closed schools, even with remote education, have been detrimental to many students, especially those who are already at risk.
Randi Weingarten Testifies
Randi Weingarten testified before a House Oversight subcommittee to address outstanding questions about the pandemic and school closures. She referred to the “Lessons From the Covid War” report during her testimony. Republicans have argued that powerful unions, closely associated with the Democratic Party, influenced agencies like the CDC against issuing guidance that would have facilitated the reopening of schools.
Weingarten faced scrutiny because publicly released emails revealed that the AFT had requested revisions to the CDC’s reopening guidance. She defended her actions, stating that the proposed changes were minor and one of many recommendations submitted to the health agency. However, her critics believe that she perpetuated closure measures and failed to confront union members who advocated for remote learning.
Dr. Anthony Fauci Speaks Out
Dr. Anthony Fauci, former top White House pandemic adviser, has also faced criticism over his handling of the pandemic. In a recent New York Times interview, Fauci defended himself against claims that he had shut down schools and businesses. His critics argue that he failed to acknowledge the damage caused by lockdowns and other pandemic-related measures.
While Fauci, like other public health experts, argued for necessary measures in the early stages of the pandemic, it later became clear that children were less susceptible to severe COVID-19 symptoms. Schools in other countries and Republican-led states in the U.S. reopened successfully while remote learning proved inadequate. Some educators and officials favored extended closures until Fauci himself concluded that it was safe for children to return to classrooms.
The Legacy of the Pandemic in the 2024 Election
Health policy experts predict that the 2024 presidential election will revolve around the public’s memory of how the COVID-19 pandemic was handled. This referendum will influence perceptions of both Republican and Democratic nominees in terms of their ability to address future pandemics based on their response to the current crisis.
