While communities across the country grapple with the decision of whether and how to reopen schools in the fall, politicians in Washington are increasingly politicizing the issue. As one local editorial stated, “Parents — not politicians — should decide if their children return to school during a pandemic.”
Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District, Eugene DePasquale, released the following statement on the ongoing conversation:
“As the father of a 17-year-old, I want nothing more than to have my daughter return to the classroom to experience her senior year of high school. That being said, reopening schools should be a decision left to parents and educators, led by the guidance of public health experts on how to best ensure the safety of students, teachers, staff, and the surrounding community. Politics has no place in this discussion,” said DePasquale. “I am sick and tired of politicians in Washington exploiting our concerns and fears for their own benefit. If Washington wants to help, it can do its job and provide funding so that when schools do reopen, they will have the resources to do so as safely as possible. Other than that, it should get out of the way.”
