Thread by @DeAngelisCorey

narrator: because they did.
drphil.com/videos/school-…

"Our findings that school closures are uncorrelated with the actual incidence of the virus, but are rather strongly associated with unionization, implies that the decision to close schools has been a political—not scientific—decision."

"We find that mass partisanship and vested interests best explain the degree to which schools reopened. Republican (Democratic) districts were far more (less) likely to reopen in person, while districts with stronger unions relied more on remote learning."

"Analyzing local district reopening plans, however, we find that decisions were more tied to local political partisanship and union strength than to COVID-19 severity. Republicans in the public were also more favorable than Democrats toward in-person learning."

this is why all of the teachers union representatives – including Randi Weingarten – declined to join the show.

they cannot deny or defend how they hurt kids by fighting to keep schools closed for so long.

correct.