Despite health concerns from some parents, teachers and local officials, U.S. President Donald Trump is continuing to pressure schools nationwide to re-open for in-person education this fall. While Trump can’t order schools to open, he’s threatening to withhold vital funding from districts that stay closed. “The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if U.S. schools open before the November election, but is important for the children and families,” Trump tweeted today. “May cut off funding if not open!”
There’s no denying that many students—especially those who lack internet access, require one-on-one attention, or rely on school-provided services like free or reduced-cost meals—have been left behind in the sudden pivot to remote learning. Keeping kids at home can have negative consequences for their mental health, too. And reopening schools would free up many parents to head back to work full-time, providing them with more income and giving the country as a whole a badly-needed economic boost.
But as the pandemic continues to worsen in most states, can schools reopen safely? Yes, children seem to be less at risk of severe symptoms. But there’s a chance they can spread the virus even if they are asymptomatic. And what about the teachers, custodians, bus drivers and other staffers needed to keep a school running—especially those with pre-existing conditions that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19?
Several school staffers told TIME education reporter Katie Reilly that they are scared of returning to work; some are even considering retiring for fear of the virus. “I don’t think anybody is going back, thinking, ‘This is fine, everything’s normal,’” says Caren Gonzalez, a Texas high school chemistry teacher. “I think everybody's got a little bit of apprehension if they’ve been paying attention.”
In its guidance for schools, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that students sit at desks at least six feet apart in classrooms, avoid sharing books and sports equipment, and sit one to a row on buses. But teachers told Reilly that these suggestions are impractical, especially in schools with limited space and supplies. (U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said today that the CDC would issue new guidelines after Trump criticized the agency for recommending “very impractical things.")
Still, Trump’s power of the purse may prove determinative. Many school districts rely on federal funding even in the best of times, and that reliance will only grow with a newfound need to stock up on thermometers, masks, hand sanitizer and more.
It’s not just K-12 schools feeling the pressure, either. Yesterday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said that international college students will be required to leave the country if their universities switch to an all-online curriculum amid the pandemic. The move can be seen as an effort to force colleges into holding in-person classes lest they be responsible for sending students packing. At least two colleges—Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology—have already filed suit over the policy. But as Election Day draws near, the decision goes to show the lengths to which this administration is willing to go in its pursuit of normalcy at any cost.
More than 11.8 million people around the world had been sickened by COVID-19 as of 1 AM eastern time this morning, and more than 544,000 people had died.
Here is every country with over 200,000 confirmed cases:
The number of coronavirus cases in Africa surpassed500,000 today, while more than 11,900 people have died there. In just five months, the virus has killed more people than the devastating 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, during which more than 11,300 people died. “With more than a third of countries in Africa doubling their cases over the past month, the threat of COVID-19 overwhelming fragile health systems on the continent is escalating,” said World Health Organization Africa Director Dr. Matshidiso Moeti in a statement earlier today.
The Australian city of Melbourne is back under lockdown after the state of Victoria reported 191 new coronavirus cases yesterday, its highest number since the pandemic began. Residents will only be allowed to leave home for food and essential items, care and caregiving, exercise, and work or study. The new rules are set to last for six weeks. “We’ve talked about this virus being like a public health bushfire,” Victoria Premier Dan Andrews said in a statement yesterday. “By putting a ring around metropolitan Melbourne, we’re essentially putting in place a perimeter to protect regional Victorians.”
Rishi Sunak, one of the U.K.’s top financial officials, announced today a far-reaching, £30 billion ($37.9 billion) plan to reboot the country’s economy amid the downturn caused by the pandemic. The stimulus plan includes tax cuts, discounts on sit-down meals, and financial assistance for low-income households.
The Situation in the U.S.
The U.S. recorded more than 2.9 million coronavirus cases as of 1 AM eastern time this morning, though the number crossed the 3 million mark by the afternoon. More than 131,000 people have died as of this morning.
On July 7, there were 60,021 new cases and 1,195 new deaths confirmed in the U.S.
The Trump Administration yesterday formally notified the United Nations that the U.S. is withdrawing from the World Health Organization. Trump has repeatedly criticized the WHO’s coronavirus response, and argued that China has undue influence over the organization. The move won’t become official until after the election; Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said this week he would reverse the decision if elected.
Texas yesterday reported more than 10,000 new daily coronavirus cases for the first time, as the situation continues to worsen there. The only other states that have recorded such a high daily count include New York, which did so in April, and Florida, which did so last week. Texas governor Greg Abbott said in a local TV interview that the numbers should be an “alarm bell for everybody.”
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams today emphasized the importance of wearing masks to curb the spread of the virus, but stopped short of supporting a nationwide mandate for face coverings, citing concerns about “over-policing.” “Someone has to explain to me how a nationwide mandate would actually function,” Dr. Adams said in an interview with a Washington, D.C. FOX affiliate. “We aren't going to send in the National Guard or the Army to enforce a national mandate. We don't have an enforcement mechanism really to do that.”
Still, some leaders are still calling for such a national mandate. Testifying before the House Homeland Security Committee today, Illinois governor J. B. Pritzker said that kind of rule “might be the most important thing we can do to save lives.” (Illinois, which mandated masks in early May, was one of the first states to do so.) Meanwhile, New Jersey governor Phil Murphy announced today that he’s ordering residents to wear masks outside when social distancing isn’t possible.
New York City, home to the largest school district in the U.S., announced today that schools will reopen for in-person learning in the fall, but individual students will only be in the classroom for one to three days a week. Such a staggered approach aims to mitigate the risk of viral spread by allowing for more social distancing between students. However, it’s unclear whether New York governor Andrew Cuomo will approve the plan, the New York Timesreports.
All numbers unless otherwise specified are from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering, and are accurate as of July 8, 1 AM eastern time. To see larger, interactive versions of these maps and charts, click here.
WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW
Medical Workers Still Don’t Have Enough Personal Protective Gear
Although many states say they now have more robust PPE supplies, there are still shortages in some places, The Associated Press reports. Doctors and nurses worry that gear has to be reused and physicians’ offices are closing because of a lack of supplies. Read more here.
Florida Was Quick to Reopen. Now It's a Coronavirus Epicenter
Dozens of hospitals in Florida are running out of ICU beds, even as governor Ron DeSantis maintains that the state has “abundant capacity,” the Washington Post reports. Read more here.
The Coronavirus Is Spreading at Churches
More than 650 coronavirus cases have been linked to some 40 churches and religious events across the U.S. since the pandemic first began, the New York Times reports. Read more here.
Prisoners Serving Only Months-Long Sentences Are Dying From the Coronavirus
At least 84 Texas state prisoners have died after contracting the coronavirus, including some who were serving short sentences or set to soon go home, the Texas Tribune reports. Read more here.
Thanks for reading. We hope you find the Coronavirus Brief newsletter to be a helpful tool to navigate this very complex situation, and welcome feedback at coronavirus.brief@time.com.
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Today's newsletter was written by Sanya Mansoor and edited by Alex Fitzpatrick.
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