Governor's Media Briefing July 15, 2020

Governor Henry McMaster will be joined by Senate President Harvey Peeler, House Speaker Jay Lucas, and others to discuss the re-opening of South Carolina’s schools today, Wednesday, July 15 at 11:00 AM. #SCETV #COVID19

[mkrejci]

Speaking as a teacher for over 20 years, students must stay home for everyone's safety!

[rickmcgill]

One clarification - they can make schools “safer” not “safe”. A lot of this falls apart once you pick at the surface and start figuring out what happens when a teacher or student tests positive - does the entire class have to quarantine. Substitutes work multiple schools, what happens if a substitute tests positive with all the classes he/she occupied? We have violent agreement that kids do better when in school and everyone wants a return; however, we are kidding ourselves that we know the answer to whether they can be safe and the collateral impacts that happens when they return. While they use examples of other countries doing this successfully, those countries had already contained the virus. This hasn’t been attempted where the virus is exploding. We are in territory where we don’t know the answer, so anything we are doing at this point is an educated guess.

[Bradley]

Just two weeks ago in this very same room, he advised that anyone intentionally attending a public gathering, beach, restaurant, etc., and eventually spread COVID 19 by accident could be held legally responsible, and would have to explain to a jury of their peers why they should not be found guilty of negligence and criminal charges. Further, that the statute of limitation on such charges would be indefinite. Now he places limitations on parent's choices. Public Schools gather in public so School districts, should get ready for the lawsuits. At 35:00, he says, "The most vulnerable children in SC will suffer the greatest if we do not open ". The most academically vulnerable children according to statistics are minorities and or lower income families (which may not have access to virtual learning). Sooo, having the knowledge that SC numbers are skyrocketing, I guess the plan is to get this "vulnerable" group back in school ASAP, to expose them to the risks and dangers unnecessarily, and hope for the best? Finally at 42:39, " Students are blowing up our phones wanting to go back to school, " 13 and 14 years old, "wanna go back to face to face". Since when do government officials make decisions based on the wants of 13 and 14 year olds?

[valeriestinson]

It's all about th funding not the safety of our children. Doing th a and b schedule the schools will still be open. If our children get sick we still will loose pay. Without saying it it sounds like we are going to open the schools five days a week so we can receive funding.

[designatscale]

I am a proud public school teacher and I am NOT saying that I would strike if this actually is allowed to happen, but what is the plan if even 30% of teachers strike? I have amazing colleagues who take care of elderly parents and children at home. Would they lose their jobs if they don’t come to work? Are we going to see an increase in health care benefits because we are in direct contact with hundreds of children per day? I am not afraid to become ill myself. I am concerned for some of my older colleagues and their families. Greenville County is still a hotbed of COVID spread. Maybe by September it won’t be. Making this call right now doesn’t seem like the best idea. I will say I appreciate communication and the ability for families to prepare for the return to school. They had almost no time to prepare when schools were closed. Giving them lead time is super important. I just want a final decision to be based on medical advice, personal need (not opinion), and real capability to provide for the safety and well being of children, their families, and everyone who comes in direct contact with them. Thank you to everyone who is working overtime during this pandemic to provide for public safety and health.

[BosunDawg]

We can’t restrict learning by going entirely online only when so many students in rural areas still don’t have internet access? Why don't we provide them with internet access, instead of having poor kids in rural areas risk the lives of themselves and their families??? As usual, those with low income will pay the price.

[lisas]

I speak from a position of love. Basically, the poor & disadvantage must go back to school & be exposed to the virus?

Virtual School is an opportunity for SC to push kids into the technology age. You have the resources. All you need is the will to do so. Because, research is an important part of virtual school, virtual school will boost kids research abilities. I spoke with one nurse about virtual school. She says, going to school virtually helps kids interact & be their self without sitting still in a classroom all day.

A couple of ideas that can assist with opening schools are 1) open schools with limited staff but continue virtual school 2) continue the pick up lunch program 3) assign technology professionals to assists families in learning how to complete virtual education. 4) take survey to see the needs then 4a) if children must attend schools create much much smaller classroom, no more than 5 per class. 5) this means you May need more teachers for in classrooms & outside of classrooms.

Actually, the state can spend money on education by creating a robust technological education system which can be assisted by the University of SC.

I met someone that attended a polite virtual class at USC this summer, I heard the children had so much fun, they did not want to end the course. Thank you, USC.

God Bless America and State of SC

[INFJ]

The State needs their "They CANT AFFORD" to not use all their options as they just said. This is GROSS

[AmyLee-nino]

for once I agree with him ...Parents should have a choice and it needs to be mandatory. My son will do virtual. The fact that the kids were pulled when this 1st happened was our saving grace!! We don't know how this will effect the schools obviously, they don't know how to deal with this effectively or we would not have rising cases. The flip flop... back and forth... myth and fact crud is to much . All that it would take is 1 case of a child or teacher getting covid before all hell would break loose in that school...nope not letting the government throw my kid out there ..with the mindset of ...welp, lets go willy nilly and hope for the best ..fingers crossed and throw them out there...not happening

[Val-gelc]

Not sure what doctors you're asking, but the doctors I know personally, laugh about your statements. STOP LYING!

[robwilliford]

I understand the need to discuss the important topic of returning to school, and I respect that the Governor is giving parents a choice. Notwithstanding, this topic could've been discussed in 20m, and left the balance of time overviewing current SC COVID performance and SC's overall strategy. Governor should begin all these presentations by displaying graphs of historical COVID performance that DHEC makes available on it's web site. Those graphs show increasing %positive tests, and increasing #daily deaths.

[sharplesmancini]

I agree that children are the most precious people in our world. I do not agree that brick and mortar schools are better than virtual schools. My child did virtual school; Connections Academy for all of middle school. My student was well prepared for high school especially in technology. There is face to face. The students interact with a whiteboard, camera, and microphone. What’s missing is misbehaving kids, time loss for school policy activities and no frustrations at guidance! Remote learning and meetings are here and will not going away. Therefore, your virtual programs should be of the best quality. Addressing the DHEC concerns, the family units are dissolving, it’s a USA problem and it can’t be controlled with DHEC. Parents need to focus on family and not depend on government or schools to raise them. Workplaces will have to adapt as well ! For example, Jasper County has virtual days on Fridays. That’s going to take a whole community to work it out. The excuse that “my kid can’t do virtual” is a cop out. The school system has to properly train students and teachers on how to be successful. The school has to have an interactive virtual program that teachers know how to use and make the parents accountable in part. Send an email to the parents, “your child is not doing their work”. Administration can help w that. I get it if you have a lot of school age kids. Build accountability in your kids. Work with a neighbor if possible. Get the grandparent and aunts, uncles, cousins involved. Remember HIllary Clinton’s book, “It Takes a Village To Raise A Child”. Well, this is a great example. Disadvantage brings perseverance and it’s critical to build this back into our souls. 80, 000 truant kids in this county without using virtual schools? The USA has a bigger problem - the demise of social behavior in schools. I’d like to know how you are going to enforce masks when the students don’t bring pencils or paper to school. Better be prepared to order masks by the 1, 000s. Why wasn’t a doctorate teacher specializing in virtual education speaking today? Because really, you don’t want to offer virtual but you have too because the pandemic may oversee your plan. In Seoul, where they ARE better prepared and equipped closed 800 schools the first week they opened. Watch the BBC. A good virtual school teaches technology and safety. Perhaps the districts virtual program doesn’t do that? It’s more like it’s new and one has to put effort and money into it. Socialization for children? They play more outside than they ever had, they’re with family more, there are play dates, soccer programs, etc. The school district is not responsible for the welfare of the children — the parents are! Your scaring people by saying children aren’t safe if not oversaw by a teacher. Children have neighbors, those neighbors have children, they go to stores, visit the doctors, other people can report neglect. DhEC can put up signs warning the public about ANY kind of abuse in the community not just in schools. It’s not up to the teachers, the teachers are to teach. If only this type of unified strength and energy spoken tonight was for safety precautions; active shooter protection. Cleaning solutions? Interesting how now the schools can use something stronger than water. Bottomline, the district is offering virtual but no one tonite is really has supporting it. All your statistics tonight have been against it. Stop using child safety, food hunger and DHEC to replace the importance of education. Education. That’s what your responsibility truly is and this includes a competent virtual program for all to use.

[blufftonhhi]

I agree with you 100%. We need our kids face to face educated. Just like we need our surgeons and nurses face to face. You have a choice not to but many don't.

[alicemc]

Go back to school? Is he aware that there is a virus circulating that's making people sick?

[rosemarylivingston]

Signer is exposed to all speakers abs stands to close.

[loveoverfear]

kids want to see their a petition 6 ft apart while eating alone and having no close contact activities :/

[Val-gelc]

You mention "it's in our constitution", good point. Now, why is there HYPOCRISY on that very point about our worshiping INSIDE our churches WITH SINGING?

[ddwwssttaanngg]

Please everyone GO VOTE.... Tuesday November 3rd 2020...
We need new leadership in the United States. Leadership that will act and put American Lives first over greed and money during a global viral pandemic.
The GOP has failed to lead and act during Covid-19. Kids in school spreading germs while that guy keeps whipping down the podium. LOL.

[claudiac]

Turn down the volume??? Are you f'ing kidding me???? WOW!!!!

[jennifergilbert]

Thank you SO much Governor Henry McMaster. I pray to the Lord, Thy God for His Divine Guidance, Love and Grace. All Glory Be to Thee Oh Lord. Gloria in Excelis Deo. Amen.