Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles learned that Gov. Larry Hogan was overturning the county’s directive to keep private schools in the county closed over a Zoom news conference Monday afternoon.
Moments after Hogan tweeted the emergency order – which allows private schools to set their own reopening plan – Bethesda Beat reporter Caitlynn Peetz asked Elrich and Gayles for their reaction to the news.
Here’s how they reacted:
After the news conference, Elrich tweeted the following statement on Hogan’s action: “Our decision to restrict nonpublic schools from in-person instruction was made with one concern in mind – protecting the public health of our residents. It was not an easy decision. As we have done throughout this pandemic, we used data and science to guide us – not politics.”
Our decision to restrict nonpublic schools from in-person instruction was made with one concern in mind – protecting the public health of our residents. It was not an easy decision. As we have done throughout this pandemic, we used data and science to guide us – not politics.
— Marc Elrich (@Marc_Elrich) August 3, 2020
Prior to Hogan’s action, Councilmember Andrew Friedson, who represents Montgomery County’s 1st district, tweeted a letter directed at Gayles, asking for more information about the decision to direct private schools to stay closed.
The rapidly evolving nature of what we know about COVID-19 makes it critical that public health orders are clear, consistent, and transparent. We're seeking data and transparency on the public health order issued Friday regarding in-person instruction at independent schools: pic.twitter.com/zMSoxC0h64
— Councilmember Andrew Friedson (@Andrew_Friedson) August 3, 2020
Elected Leaders React to Hogan Overturning Gayles’ Directive on Private Schools
Several other elected leaders voiced their reactions to Hogan’s emergency order. Here’s a look at what they are saying:
You have made this completely political and in the process put students, their families and our communities at risk. As a parent of children in both public & private schools the health of my children is paramount. #Covid_19 doesn't stop at the doors of any school. #coronavirus https://t.co/vobu7x4UES
— Will Jawando (@willjawando) August 3, 2020
Governor Hogan is meddling in local health decisions and hurting the ability of Montgomery County to prevent further COVID outbreaks.
The Governor who did so well in the early days of the pandemic is clearly gone. https://t.co/qYVKCOZiPw
— Eric Luedtke (@EricLuedtke) August 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/DelegateReznik/status/1290338536844144648?s=20
A tale of two tweets.
h/t @theseventhstate pic.twitter.com/rgv0mOW8wZ
— Eric Luedtke (@EricLuedtke) August 3, 2020
Speaks for itself. https://t.co/QF6qyh7onK
— Jheanelle Wilkins (@JheanelleW) August 3, 2020
This seems insanely irresponsible. Public school systems rely on health officials & duly elected decision-makers. Private & parochial schools depend on cash flow and parental approval. Do those folks really want to risk their kids, staff, and faculty being exposed to #COVID-19?? https://t.co/i1eQoXd9PF
— Cheryl C. Kagan (@CherylKagan) August 3, 2020
Here’s What Was Said at Gayles, Elrich News Conference Before Hogan Announcement
Here’s live tweets covering what was said at the Gayles and Elrich news conference Monday morning before news broke that Hogan had overturned Montogmery County’s directive to keep private schools closed:
Elrich says, “today we’ve had 20x 4 cases a day” (the average amount of cases per day when Montgomery County closed schools in March)@mymcmedia
— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) August 3, 2020
Dr. Gayles: “When we look at the options for educating students is” that in person learning is preferable.
Gayles said the increases in Covid cases across the country shows this isn’t a virus we have control over. @mymcmedia
— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) August 3, 2020
Gayles said when the county learned that private schools were considering reopening, they held a town hall with private school leaders. @mymcmedia
— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) August 3, 2020
Gayles said despite some of the guidelines the county put forward to private schools, some schools still were going forward with plans to reopen as early as last week. So that’s why the county took action to enact its directive, Gayles said. @mymcmedia
— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) August 3, 2020
“Schools are not just places where kids go,” Gayles said. He notes that there are other staff members with other health risks at these schools too. @mymcmedia
— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) August 3, 2020
Gayles said the CDC reopening schools guideline are based upon the premise of lower transition rates. @mymcmedia
Moderate daily cases in Montgomery County would be about 30 cases a day, Gayles said. (This is the moderate case number, not low)
— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) August 3, 2020
Here’s what MOntgomery COunty considered when making its directive to keep private schools closed.
1. We would need to have established lower community transmission and case load — we haven’t achieved this, Gayles said. @mymcmedia
— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) August 3, 2020
“Frankly from my point of view, I don’t understand how the governor separates private schools from public schools,” Elrich said of Hogan. @mymcmedia
— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) August 3, 2020
.@KateRyanWTOP asks if this is something to do with private schools vs. public schools.
“Absolutely not,” Elrich said. @mymcmedia
— Deirdre Byrne (@DeirdreByrne_) August 3, 2020
Previous Posts:
Montgomery County Private Schools Directed to Stay Closed for Start of Academic Year
Montgomery County Private Schools Directed to Stay Closed for Start of Academic Year
Montgomery County Private Schools Directed to Stay Closed for Start of Academic Year
