Getting ready for Gov. Pete Ricketts press conference. Today we’re talking reopening schools. I’ll tweet any updates in the thread below. 
Test Nebraska so far has done 85k tests, according to Ricketts. 230k have signed up. Testing is ramping up in Omaha and Lincoln, per Ricketts.
Ricketts says there will be a number of press briefings leading up to schools opening next month. This is one of them.
Ricketts says going back to the classrooms is best for many kids actually learning, getting them more physically active, gives them nutritious meals and aiding their mental health.
Ricketts says bringing kids back to the classrooms, is a building by building decision.
Education Commissioner Matthew Blomstedt says his department sent a document out yesterday on how to safely reopen schools. It was made with help from education officials across the state.
Blomstedt says having kids in schools is absolutely critical. They’re doing everything they can to make sure schools can reopen.
Ricketts asked about requiring masks, he says Nebraskans do the right thing without a mandate. Says he won’t make masks mandatory.
Ricketts asked about why open schools in fall while they were shut down in the spring.
Says we know more now than in March, that kids don’t get sick very much, etc.
Also says we have much more expanded testing now.
More infrastructure to manage it as a whole.
Says we know more now than in March, that kids don’t get sick very much, etc.
Also says we have much more expanded testing now.
More infrastructure to manage it as a whole.
Blomstedt says if a student tests positive, it’s like the school will have to briefly shutdown. But the goal would be to get back very quickly.
He goes on to say, if all the kids are wearing masks and social distancing, it’s likely students can get back in the classroom quickly.
Blomstedt says every school district in the state is on the path to reopen classrooms in the fall. OPS is opening up for about half the students at a time.
Ricketts asked about local officials mandating masks. He says he wants them to collaborate with them...but says again he’s against mandating masks.
Ricketts asked about an OPS schopl board member saying no sports should happen this fall.
Ricketts says we’ve got to learn to live with the virus. Says there’s ways to do many activities while social distancing.
“We have to continue to find ways to manage this.”
Ricketts says we’ve got to learn to live with the virus. Says there’s ways to do many activities while social distancing.
“We have to continue to find ways to manage this.”
Says sports are an important part of the school experience and that while it may look different in the past, we’ve got to find a way to manage it.
That’s going to do for Gov. Ricketts today. He has two press conferences set for next week, including one with how the University of Nebraska will open.
@threadreaderapp unroll please.
