The governor of Maryland steps in after a Montgomery County health official prohibits private schools from reopening until at least October; Maryland House of Delegates Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga reacts.
This is an unofficial transcript meant for reference. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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PETE
Pete. Thank you. Ainsley
Montgomery, County Maryland Home
to one of the largest school
districts in the country, while
public officials were able to
choose their plans for the fall,
private schools, seemingly didnt
get the same treatment.
Instead, a county health
official predicted them from
reopening until at least
October.
Now the governor of Maryland is
stepping in and overturning that
mandate. Saying quote as long
as schools develop safe and
detailed plans that follow the
CDC and state guidelines. They
should be empowered to do whats
best for their community
here to react. Is minority whip
in the Maryland House of
delegates? Cathy Chalet go
Cathy. Thank you so much for
being here this morning.
What do you make? First of the
Montgomery County health
departments decision to say,
hey private schools? You have
to stay closed as well in. I was
shocked
when I read this on Friday. Of
course, great Friday release
right,
they are closing all nonpublic
schools in Montgomery County and
the threat of a one year, jail
sentence
and five thousand dollars. Fine,
I was outraged.
I do not represent Montgomery
County. It
is around the d dot c suburbs and
because of Jerry Mandering, they
have zero Republicans that
represent them.
So you know, I stepped in
immediately urged the governor
to overturn that
one unelected health officer
should never have the power to
close nonpublic schools. These
schools are going to great
length to make sure the kids are
safe.
Parents are willing sending
their parents there outrageous
im, glad Governor Hogan stepped
in and stopped
this. It made the choice to send
kids to that school.
We reached out to the health and
Human Services Department for a
statement
they directed to us a tweet from
county executive Mark Elrich, and
this is what it said.
Our decision to restrict
nonpublic schools for from in
person instruction one concern
in mind: protecting the public
health of our residents.
It was not an easy decision, as
we have done view this. This
pandemic,
we used data and science to
guide us, not politics,
Cathy. Ultimately, it is elected
politicians who should make
these decisions. An unelected
health official decided to close
these schools
very similar at the national
level.
Everyone is saying, Anthony Fauci
should be making every call. No
one elected Anthony Fauci, they
elected Donald Trump
same case Larry Hogan has
overturned this
absolutely
look,
nothing hate more than
competition.
They have shuttered schools.
Most of the schools in Maryland
will not reopen until January.
So you know the backlash from
parents saying hey. We know the
CDC says we can open safely.
The American Academy of
Pediatrics encourages kids to
get back to school,
and parents know that these
schools are responsible.
You know, essentially a business
that are reacting to customers.
In the meantime, this county has
playgrounds open.
If you are going to a private
school,
they are going to have a health
check. When you arrive a
temperature scan a verbal
health check,
they separated desks,
they have staggered entry times.
They have really done all the
things necessary to get kids
back in the classroom,
and you know the teachers
union, I think, is reacting by
doing something like this
PETE. Nobody representative,
nobody is winging it here.
These private schools would be
following guidance to keep kids
safe
and ultimately it is true that
if you didnt feel safe going to
that private school, of course,
you could reenroll your kids in
the local government school as
well.
Absolutely
this is driven by parents,
administration, teachers staff,
the teachers. I know I know
plenty of teachers they want to
get back in the classroom.
You know you cant teach five and
6 year olds to learn on a
computer to read
once you know how to read. Can
you read to learn
but learning to read on a zoom
call, I mean come on.
We know thats not going to
happen
PETE. We have all been there
that dog does not hunt
Cathy Szeliga Minority WHIP
Maryland House of delegates.
Thank you for being with us.
Transcript generated on 2020-08-05.