'I Don't Consider Our Country Coming Back If The Schools Are Closed' — Trump

KEY POINTS

President Trump wants to reopen schools and universities
Schools and universities may open by fall
State governors will decide when it is safe to reopen

Even as governors weigh the question of reopening their respective states, President Donald Trump had a message for them. The President said that he doesn’t consider the country to be open until all the schools and universities go back to work. Just as fighting the coronavirus pandemic was important, opening up the economy to save businesses is also becoming increasingly important.

Speaking to the media Wednesday (May 13), Trump pointed out that the coronavirus has had very little impact on young people and that the schools and universities should be reopened soon. As far as teachers, instructors, and professors are concerned, the President said that those above the age of 60, can continue to remain cautious while the others can resume their work.

The President has shifted his focus to reopening the country to save jobs and businesses and get people back to work soon. He added that it is up to the governors of the respective states to reopen the schools, although he personally feels that a state is not open if the schools are not open. "I dont consider our country coming back if the shools are closed," Trump said.

When will the schools and universities really open? Vice President Mike Pence said in a tweet the the leaders of institutions in higher education are currently making plans to open by this fall. Pence had a teleconference with the presidents of universities and colleges to discuss Trump’s plan of reopening educational institutions safely, and he appeared to be satisfied with the efforts being made to get back to work.

Teleconference today with University & College Presidents from many of the top schools in America about President @realDonaldTrump’s vision to reopen Universities & Colleges. These great leaders of Higher Education are stepping up to safely return students to campus this Fall! pic.twitter.com/TBzOxZv4yG
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) May 13, 2020

The Trump administration has put together a playbook for governors to use to evaluate when and how each one of them should reopen their respective states. According to an official blog post by The White House, while Pence has been leading the White House Coronavirus Task Force, the President has been meeting with state leaders. "Each state has a full partner in the Trump Administration to make that happen," the White House said.

The White House says the country can reopen safely because of the “aggressive action” that was taken at the start of the pandemic.