Harris Helps Lead Effort on School Re-opening Guidelines

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) issued the following statement after becoming an original co-sponsor of House Resolution 1026, which urges that local jurisdictions be empowered to make the decisions on re-opening schools:

"We know that the pandemic conditions in Baltimore City, Prince George's County, or Montgomery County are far different than those in other areas of the nation, the state, or on Maryland's Eastern Shore. In the First Congressional District today there are still dozens of zip codes that don't even have one confirmed COVID case. Therefore, a blanket nationwide or even a statewide policy decision on re-opening our schools is a bad approach that will lead to unnecessary closures and an undue burden on parents. Some of President Trump's leading experts on the White House Coronavirus Task Force, like Dr. Fauci and Dr. Redfield, as well as former FDA Commissioner Gottlieb, who advises Maryland on COVID reopening issues, have already confirmed that these decisions on schools re-opening should be made at the local level. This week, the American Academy of Pediatrics has also emphasized the importance of re-opening schools in the fall. Therefore, I am proud to co-sponsor this important House resolution that urges just that. Many areas of the country, including parts of Maryland, can reopen their schools safely this fall."

The resolution's text can be read here.