EXCERPT:
GEIST: "Knowing all the impacts of having the schools closed and knowing what we know now, that the disease isn’t transmitted on surfaces, we don’t have to go through all of this deep cleaning --"
CARDONA: "Right."
GEIST: “-- that we thought we did at the beginning. We've learned a lot. Do you think the school should have been open earlier?”
CARDONA: “You know without looking at the context, it’s difficult to answer that. You know, we do rely very heavily on CDC guidance. It’s critically important that we’re listening to our health experts, because this is a health pandemic. In many cases, as we learn new information, plans change. And I’ve seen school systems change plans mid-course based on new data. I’m pleased to see that those districts were able to bring students in also did it in a way that’s safe. You know, you don’t ever want to skip the mitigation strategies, but I do want to make [indecipherable] districts who are nearing the end of the year are not taking their foot off the gas pedal. Do everything you can to get students in now. Because that emotional connection that our students need is critically important now. Think about summer learning experiences, think about how the fall looks better and different. I do want to make sure that our folks are still trying to get our students in this year.”