Whitmer should follow science on schools, not Biden
Detroit News
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel
April 15, 2021
"A month ago, my local school board of Northville voted not to return to full time in-person schooling. I know I speak for many Northville mothers when I say that the decision has left us feeling nothing short of helpless despair.
"We have watched for a year as our kids have alternated between virtual learning and part-time classroom attendance. We have sat with our sons and daughters through countless Zoom classes, and I can confirm that they are not nearly as effective as in-person learning.
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"Like so many other parents across America, I’m left to wonder: Who is fighting for our kids?
"President Joe Biden is not. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is not. The teachers unions are not. I see Republican-led states like Florida, Texas and others that have kids in school. They are not suffering from higher COVID rates than Michigan — in fact, Texas is experiencing a fall in cases after fully re-opening. And yet many of our kids are stuck at home.
"Democrats and their allies are very fond of pushing buzzwords like “follow the science” at us. OK, fine. Here’s what the science says: Kids’ test scores are going down, and students who rely on school for food are now flocking to food banks. Hospitals are reporting sharp increases in mental health visits and depression among children and teenage suicides seem to be skyrocketing. Teachers have been treated like frontline workers and have been vaccinated at a very high rate — and rightfully so.
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"At a time when women have been forced out of the work force in order to provide childcare, adding “at-home tutor” to their list of responsibilities is a tough ask. It’s especially frustrating to see so many women’s careers adversely impacted by school closures when so many women thrived in the Trump administration's economy. Families can no longer afford to shoulder the burden of school boards’ anti-science ignorance.
"Whitmer focused on education in her race for governor, repeatedly promising to help our kids. She has refused to lead on this issue and instead chosen to abdicate her leadership obligations to the students of Michigan. For example, she made the weak decision to let school districts make their own determination."
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"How is that possible? Our governor loves to be on Sunday shows and actively seeks the limelight. She always has time for a New York Times puff piece. And yet when it comes to our kids’ education, she is absent.
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"As a citizen — and above all, as a mother — I am asking Whitmer, my school board, local officials and the Biden administration to show up for our kids. Playing politics with our children’s futures is unacceptable. I know that mothers in Michigan will join me in saying: Gov. Whitmer, it’s time to follow the science — not Biden.
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