Newsom: 'Unlikely' Most California Schools To Reopen Before Summer
SACRAMENTO (CBSLA/AP) — Most California schools will likely remain closed for the rest of the school year because of the new coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday.
Nearly all the state's schools have already shut down as the most populous state tries to stop the spread of the virus, and the rest will soon, he said.
"I would plan and assume it is unlikely that many of these schools, few if any, will open before the summer break," he said in a news conference streamed online.
"I don't want to mislead you, to six-plus million kids in our system and their families, they need to make some plans at a time when a lot of plans are already being curtailed," said Newsom, a father of four children. "But planning with kids is some of the most challenging planning."
Los Angeles resident Andrew Wood spent Tuesday afternoon at the park with his son, James -- who is one of countless LAUSD students out of school for at least two weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak. The governor's new comments mean he could be out of school even longer.
"[I'm] not sure what to make of the whole thing really," Andrew said. "At first I was pretty scared, but, to be honest with you, when I saw everybody buying all the toilet paper and shopping carts full of chicken... at least I'm not one of them. It made me less scared."
The state has applied for a federal waiver that means children would not have to face academic tests once they eventually return to school, said Newsom, a Democrat.
MORE: Latest Coronavirus Updates
"We think it is totally inappropriate for kids to worry about coming back and being tested," he said.
The governor made the statement following the announcement that several California counties would enact strict limits on public gatherings, including Orange and San Bernardino counties.
Newsom said he returned home Monday after a hectic day to find one of his two daughters, 6-year-old Brooklynn, in her room, her stuffed bunny and most of her bedding on the floor, as she cried about the schools being closed and that she could not see her friends.
"I told her, 'Honey, I don't think the schools are going to open again,' " Newsom said. "If I can tell my daughter that and not tell your daughter ... then I'm not being honest and true to the people of the state of California. Boy I hope I'm wrong, but I believe that to be the case."
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
