Thread by @jaketapper

Yesterday the WH ⁦@PressSec⁩ was asked about the CDC director’s assertion that teachers do not need to be vaccinated before schools open safely. 1/ whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/…

2/ @CDCDirector @RWalensky said: “Vaccinations of teachers is not a prerequisite for safely reopening schools.”

Health officials have been saying for months that — with mitigation efforts in place — schools need to reopen in person classes as much as possible.

3/ Dr. Walensky said this at an official press briefing:

edweek.org/policy-politic…

4/ ...but yesterday @PressSec Psaki said Walensky “spoke to this in her personal capacity.  Obviously, she’s the head of the CDC, but we’re going to wait for the final guidance to come out so we can use that as a guide for schools around the country.”

5/ Personal capacity?

This wasn’t someone asking Walensky her views after running into her at a Starbucks. This was Dr. Walensky during a CDC briefing answer a question from a reporter.

6/ Psaki was also asked about @MikeBloomberg who said Wednesday “It’s time for Joe Biden to stand up and to say, the kids are the most important things, important players here. And the teachers just are going to have to suck it up and stand up and provide an education.”

7/ (Bloomberg wrote more extensively about this Jan 28, noting the medical data should “send a clear message to governors, mayors and teachers’ union leaders: It’s time to open the schools.”)

bloomberg.com/opinion/articl…

8/ A reporter asked: “if it comes down to a binary choice, who would the President choose: the kids or the teachers?”

Psaki said: “I think that’s a little bit unfair how you pose that question.  But I will say the President believes schools should be open.”

9/ Sometimes, however, even if the debates are complicated, there are binary choices.

I’ve yet to see any evidence the Biden administration disagrees with teachers unions. Even when THEIR OWN health officials are saying something different.