Earlier, interest-free loans were announced for Emiratis whose businesses were affected by the rains, with a grace period of 6 to 12 months
uae4 hours ago
With just weeks to go before U.S. schools begin to open, federal health and education officials on Friday stressed the need for children to get back into the classroom despite parents' fears about safety as coronavirus infections surge.
Administration officials said reopening schools was critical for children's mental and emotional well-being, as well as to allow parents to get back to work to boost the economy, a priority for President Donald Trump as he seeks re-election in November.
Dr Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a news briefing the CDC had released additional documents for administrators and parents.
"They're all put out with the intent to help facilitate, as was mentioned earlier, the full reopening of schools for face-to-face learning," he said.
The CDC, the nation's health protection agency, added the documents after Trump called earlier recommendations too tough, impractical and expensive. The Republican president has been increasingly critical of health experts as the surge in cases interferes with his efforts to reopen the economy.
While the risk of severe Covid-19 is seen as relatively low for children, there is fear they could infect more vulnerable teachers and other adult school administrators.
Dr Deborah Birx, a member of the White House coronavirus task force, said on Friday that it was "still an open question" how rapidly children under the age of 10 spread the illness.
Schools are opening on different dates, with different modes of teaching - virtual instruction, in-person in classrooms, or a hybrid of both - and different or unclear expectations of how long each stage will last.
The uncertainties are exacerbating worry among parents already anxious after months of restrictions on children's activities, including closed playgrounds and public facilities like swimming pools.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll last week, only one in four Americans thinks it is safe for public schools to reopen. Four in 10 parents said they would likely keep their children home if classes resume.
Jenny Brower, 38, the mother of 12-year-old twin girls in Atlanta, said she and her friends who have children at public and private schools share the same concerns.
"'Is online good enough?' I'd say no, but is it safe to go back?" she told Reuters.
The Atlanta public school system is starting classes on Aug. 17, with the first two months online and the rest of the year to be decided. Brower's private school is offering either online or a hybrid.
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