Baltimore parent concerned about schools reopening says 'lives are on the line'

As the state mulls its reopening plan for schools, teachers, students and parents are concerned about returning kids to the classroom in the middle of a pandemic.

TRUMP IS THREATENING TOWITHHOLD FEDERAL FUNDS FROMSCHOOLS THAT DON'T REOPEN INTHE FALL..

BUT GOVERNOR LARRYHOGAN ISN'T BUYING IT.

Ireally cant say what was inthe presidents mind when hemade that statement but i dontbelieve it was a seriousstatement and i dont think thegovernors are taking itseriously.

THE PRESIDENTDIDN'T SAY HOW HE WOULDWITHHOLD MONEY..

OR WHATAUTHORITY HE HAS TO MAKE THATDECISION.

MEANWHILE, THEGOVERNOR AND OTHER STATE ANDLOCAL LEADERS TRY TO FIGUREOUT HOW TO REOPEN PUBLICSCHOOLS IN THE FALL.

WMA━2NEWS' RAY STRICKLAND IS LIVEAT BALTIMORE CITY SCHOOLHEADQUARTERS TONIGHT.

RAY, YOUSPOKE TO A BALITMORE CITYPARENT WHO SAYS LIVES ARE ONTHE LINE IF THE STATE DOES NOTGET THIS RIGHT.JAIME, THAT'S HOW SERIOUS ITIS FOR PARENTS FOR THEM IT'S AMATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH SOWHEN IT COMES TO DECIDING ONWHAT TO DO, EVERYONE IS JUSTHOPING THE STATE IS DELIBERATEAND DOES NOT RUSH A REOPENINGA PLAN.Joe Kane is a parent of fourkids in the Baltimore cityschool system.

Kane is also ona parent teacher advisorycommittee and a current memberof a workgroup helping developa school reopening plan.

7: 24“It doesnhave kids catch covid to takeit back home and to see howmany people die” TRT 10 Ascoronavirus cases in the U.Ssurpass more than 3 millions,parents like Kane are hesitantto have kids go back to schoolfull time.

Despite the statepromising COVI━19 numbers.

Heknows the threat is real,after losing his grandmotherto the virus.

3:13“without acure, something that putscovid away, there is nothingthat makes me feel comfortableWe wonreopening plan for anothermonth But Kane says hebelieves its one of thesethree options 45“Either weare going to do a fullreopening, a half and halfreopening or we are going togo full distance learning.

Ithink as a parents, we arejust trying to ensure wepresent the best option forour children in the fall”Some states have already madea decision on schools Like InNew York, where thereto be a mix of distance and inperson learning but inFlorida...students will returnfull time next month.

5:38“Itis really critical to getreopened, but we cannot do itin a way that jeopardizes thehealth and well being of ourchildren and teachers” FormerBaltimore city healthcommissioner Dr. Leana Wensays getting the virus undercontrol first is vital indeciding if schools shouldreopen.

1: 50“Thatneed to work towards and iwish that our federalgovernment and all of ourofficials would recognizethat.

Thatthat the single most importantstep to getting our schoolsreopened” 8:03“We have to bedeliberate because peoplelieducation is on the line, thefuture of the city is on theline if we donright” TRTAND THE PRESIDENT OF LARGESTTEACHERS UNION IN THE COUNTRYSAID TODAY SCHOOLS ARE NOTREADY TO REOPEN UNTIL THEY GETMORE PPE, CAN MEET CDCCLEANING STANDARDS AND CANENSURE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

HESAID HE WANTS KIDS TO GO BACKTO SCHOOL, BUT IT HAS TO BEDONE SAFELY.

LIVE AT BALTIMORECITY SCHOOL HEADQUARTERS RAYSTRICKLAND, WMA━2 NEWS.FROM GLEN BURNIE TO SO