American expert: Keeping schools closed poses greater danger to children than opening them

The director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, Robert Redfield, has said that health risks from keeping schools closed are greater than the risk of opening them.

“As the public health leader in this nation, I am of the opinion that keeping schools closed actually poses greater risk to child health than reopening them”, Redfield said.

His comments came at the time American President Donald Trump supported the reopening of schools. Last week, he criticised the Center for Disease Control and Prevention about school reopening guidelines, which he described as very severe and expensive.

However, Redfield said the institution he heads will not change school instructions, but will provide additional guidelines to offer more clarity. According to him, the role of parents and the importance of using masks at school will be highlighted.

I really think people are underestimating the effects of public health on children through keeping schools closed. I am confident that we can open schools safely and work together with local bodies”, Redfield added