McEnany argues science backs White House position on schools

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany asserted Thursday that “science is on our side” as she advocated for President Trump’s push to physically reopen schools despite coronavirus concerns.

McEnany also at one point said that the “science should not stand in the way” of schools reopening, a remark she later claimed had been taken out of context by the media.

Trump has vocally advocated for schools to physically reopen over the past week, threatening funding to schools and saying he would put pressure on governors to reopen schools in their states.

Meanwhile, health experts have pointed to the risk of children worsening the spread of the coronavirus. A number of school districts have moved forward with plans that incorporate virtual learning in the fall in order to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, including public schools in Richmond, Va., which announced Wednesday they would have full virtual learning in the fall.

“The science is very clear on this,” McEnany said, citing a study published by JAMA Pediatrics which she argued demonstrates that the risk of critical illness due to the novel coronavirus to children is “far less” than the seasonal flu.

“The science is on our side here, and we encourage for localities and states to just simply follow the science, open our schools,” McEnany continued. “It's very damaging to our children: There is a lack of reporting of abuse, there's mental depressions that are not addressed, suicidal ideations that are not addressed when students are not in school. Our schools are extremely important, they're essential, and they must reopen.”