We’ve known for quite some time that continued school closures have more to do with politics than it does with actual scientific data. Now, the New York Times is even admitting that the insidious anti-Trump bias that’s plagued the country has played a detrimental role in keeping children out of classrooms. In a recent op-ed by NYT’s top liberal columnist, Nicholas Kristof, he blames Democrats for putting ideology above fact and points to the millions of children who are now paying the price.
Throughout the article, Kristof cites data collected by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the British Medical Journal, and Tulane University which reflects the fact that in-person learning doesn’t pose a serious threat to teachers or students. The NYT writer also noted that in states where governors pushed to re-open schools the children are better off because of it.
According to Fox News:
“Many Democrats seemed to be more suspicious of in-person schooling last summer when President Donald Trump called for it,” he writes, adding, “We shouldn’t let ourselves be driven by ideology rather than science.”
“The blunt fact,” he continues, “is that it is Democrats – including those who run the West Coast, from California through Oregon to Washington State – who have presided over one of the worst blows to the education of disadvantaged Americans in history.”
Pandemic-related disruptions to schooling could increase the nation’s high school dropout rate by nearly 4 percent, Kristof writes, citing an estimate from the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank. The repercussions will likely mean fewer college-educated workers in the nation’s labor force and lower incomes for employees, he adds.
The disruptions also will likely worsen the achievement gap between children from wealthier families – those that can afford private schooling and home internet service, for example – and those from low-income families, who often lack internet and cellphone service, Kristof notes.
Kristof echoed many sentiments shared by parents across the country who are begging for schools to re-open. The pandemic has caused child suicide rates to skyrocket and many children will be forced to repeat classes.
