Kayleigh McEnany on Schools Reopening: ‘The Science Should Not Stand in the Way of This’

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany has said schools should reopen no matter what the science says on the issue. Her remarks have caused a firestorm of criticism and incredulity online and in international media but they’re in line with President Donald Trump’s public sentiments.

“You know, the President has said unmistakably that he wants schools to open,” McEnany said on Thursday.

“And I was just in the Oval talking to him about that.  And when he says open, he means open in full — kids being able to attend each and every day at their school.”

“The science should not stand in the way of this,” McEnany said. “And as Dr. Scott Atlas said — I thought this was a good quote — ‘Of course, we can [do it].  Everyone else in the…Western world, our peer nations are doing it.  We are the outlier here.'”

“The science is on our side here, and we encourage for localities and states to just simply follow the science, open our schools,” she went on.

“It’s very damaging to our children: There is a lack of reporting of abuse; there’s mental depressions that are not addressed; suicidal ideations that are not addressed when students are not in school.  Our schools are extremely important, they’re essential, and they must reopen.”