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Evidence Indicates New Variants Of Coronavirus Spreading In U.S.; CDC States Passengers On Public Transportation Must Wear Masks; Biden Administration Signals COVID Relief Package Possibly Passed Through Reconciliation If Republican Lawmakers Withhold Support; GOP Suffering Intraparty Conflict Between Trump Supporters And Opponents; Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene Draws Criticism For Social Media Posts Espousing Conspiracies; Experts Answer Questions On How to Safely Reopen Schools During Ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired January 30, 2021 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[14:00:06]

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello again, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. I'm Fredericka Whitfield.

And we begin with this breaking news. There is brand-new evidence being demonstrated that the new coronavirus variants are spreading in the U.S. Maryland just announcing its first reported case of the more contagious coronavirus strain first discovered in South Africa. This follows positive cases discovered in South Carolina. The U.K. variant has also been found in the U.S. with more than 400 cases discovered thus far. Dr. Anthony Fauci calling the new variants a wake-up call that require immediate steps to develop vaccines.

The U.S. is fast approaching 26 million cases, a quarter of all infections on the planet. And to fight the spread, the CDC is issuing a new public transportation mask mandate. Starting late Monday, anyone riding on airplanes, trains, subways, taxis, and buses will be required to wear a mask.

Let's start with the breaking news on these new variants. CNN's Evan McMorris-Santoro joining me now live. So Evan, what more do we know about this new positive case?

EVAN MCMORRIS-SANTORO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fred, as you say, this is just fresh news coming in, so we don't know a whole bunch about it, but what we do know is pretty concerning. Officials in Maryland say that this case of the South African variant, that dangerous variant, popped up in the Baltimore metro area in a person who hasn't been traveling very much, which to them suggests community spread of that variant. So they're currently actively out there trying to contact trace that case, find out more about it and find out where it is.

But experts have told us to expect these new variants to pop up here in the United States, and that appears to be happening, at least with this Maryland case. And we're going to see what more we can find out about that.

But as you mentioned, the arrival of this new variant suggests just how active this pandemic still is. And even though we're seeing the vaccines starting to roll out, there's a lot of challenges in that rollout. The latest numbers from the CDC showing around 28 million doses of the vaccine have been administered, about 49 million have been given out, meaning that in a country of 330 million people, there's a long, long way to go there.

And that gets us to that thing that you mentioned about the new rules about travel. The CDC saying late last night that they want everybody who travels on public transportation to wear a mask. Obviously, there are some exceptions for young children and health and things like that.

But the goal here is to get everybody who is traveling on public transportation to wear masks as much as possible. That's the kind of steps they say are still needed, all these months into the pandemic, to stop the spread of things we're seeing like these new variants, Fred.

WHITFIELD: OK, still very alarming and troubling. Evan McMorris- Santoro, thank you so much.

More than 40,000 people have now died of coronavirus in California, making it only the second state behind New York to surpass that grim milestone. This as restaurants in Los Angeles County are now allowed to begin reopening outdoor dining at 50 percent capacity with other restrictions. CNN's Paul Vercammen joining us now from a restaurant in Los Angeles. It has just reopened, right, Paul? Help us understand what they're up against. What are they doing?

PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right now, Angela Marsden, the owner, Angela, is starting to wipe down tables. Here's what the consequences are. Restaurant business is a huge economic engine in California. According to Restaurant.org, 1,830,000 people in the state work in the food service industry.

So they're reopening here in L.A. county, but the rules are extremely strict. Among the rules, the tables now have to be eight feet apart. They say no more than six people at the table. And they don't want people from the different households at the tables, just some of the rules.

And here is a big one -- they do not want any televisions in these outdoor eating areas. And this is really being met with sort of mixed reviews in the restaurant business. I'll bring in Angela. You might remember she went viral earlier when she was shut down the first time. How are you feeling right now? You get to open up in a half hour, but --

ANGELA MARSDEN, OWNER, PINEAPPLE HILL SALOON AND GRILL: Yes, I'm happy. I can't wait to see customers and see people laughing in here. But I haven't slept all night. We got the rules first thing in the morning yesterday, which is just another bag of emotions when it comes to being a small business. It's like they tell us we can open on Friday, they give us the rules in the morning.

And one of the big ones is televisions. And I don't understand. If I can make a plea to Sheila Kuehl and Barbara Ferrer, and the mayor, Super Bowl is huge, right? And we're the safest place to be. What is it, a one percent chance of being in this kind of a controlled environment, and you're going to shut people out into house parties, because they're going to do it. And it's a 74 percent chance of getting it.

[14:05:07]

So then the cases are going to spike. And are we going to be blamed? Let people make their own choices responsibly and send them to us and let the TVs come on so that we can control the environment. That's what I would just beg and ask of the city, because it's already, the rules that they've created -- for me, I'm blessed.

I really have an angel with me. People have helped me, and that's the only reason I'm still here, the kindness of humanity, not the city, not the state. But eight feet apart? Imagine if you don't have the space that I have.

First of all, most people don't have patio room, so they're still closed. And then the ones that do are trying to manage it on a sidewalk. So now they're going to have two tables, four tables maybe? And you can't even have a TV? It's almost like we're open but we're not, unless you're fortunate like I am. I'm fortunate to have this space.

VERCAMMEN: The city and county leaders might say to you, well, we need not to have TVs -- I'm trying to couch their terms, because we don't want people to cluster up. And you alluded to them, and Eric Garcetti, the mayor, and top county health officials and a supervisor, what would you say to them about this notion that they're fearing that after 40,000 Californians --

MARSDEN: Oh, my gosh. What I would say is it's science. It's science based. And you guys have promised you would be doing this based on science. And the fact of the matter is you closed us down right before Thanksgiving, the holidays, right before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. And what happened? The numbers spiked. There are other states that have been fully open and their numbers are less than hours.

If you put people out of safe spaces for Super Bowl, you're putting them literally in danger and putting them into homes and house parties which will take place. New Year's Eve Day, I was at Ralphs, the longest line I've seen, people buying cases of beer, stuff for New Year's, because they were not just isolating with their family members, every single person staying at home.

So please have some common sense. Let us use the TVs. Give us the chance to keep people safe and give them a little bit of community, because that's what people need right now. And I don't know what else to do other than get on me knees and just pray or beg. Let's use some common sense here. There's other models. There's other states that are doing it that are better than us. So come on.

VERCAMMEN: I super appreciate your taking time out, Angela. As always your insights to what's going on in L.A. County are impassioned. We should also note that Angela did receive a lot of GoFundMe money, she said some $200,000, to keep afloat, but she had to take $64,000 of that and pay back rent.

Reporting from Sherman Oaks, I'm Paul Vercammen. Now back you to now, Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: Paul, thank you so much, and thanks to Angela for, one again, joining you and joining our audience to really make her case. She makes some really strong points. And I know last time when she did something very similar, making her points, we heard from the mayor directly to respond to her. So we'll be listening to see if the mayor and those councilmembers respond to her points today. Thank you so much, Paul Vercammen.

President Biden says further COVID relief money for suffering Americans has to come soon, with or without GOP support. He's pressing forward with his $1.9 trillion bill.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you support passing COVID relief through budget reconciliation?

JOE BIDEN, (D) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I support passing COVID relief with support from Republicans if we can get it. But the COVID relief has to pass. There's no if, ands, or buts.

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WHITFIELD: Arlette Saenz is at the White House for us. So Arlette, tell us more about the president's mission moving forward with or without bipartisan support.

ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: Fred, President Biden has made clear that his preference is to pass this COVID relief measure with bipartisan support, but they are not completely ruling out the possibility of using reconciliation to pass this measure. That is something being advocated for by some Democrats up on Capitol Hill.

As you have seen, Republicans really expressing resistance to this package that the Biden administration has put forget. A lot of GOP senators say they want to see a more targeted approach. Now, Biden, behind the scenes, has been working the phones, reaching out to Democrats and Republicans, including making some key phone calls to Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Rob Portman of Ohio, two Republicans who would be key votes in he were able to get this done in a bipartisan manner. But there is a good chance that the White House will have to pursue that budget reconciliation process for this measure, which would only require a simple majority to pass.

[14:10:04] But even if they decide to go down that route, that will also be a key test of party unity as they would need all 50 Democrats to stay on board with this measure. Now, earlier this week, you saw Vice President Harris doing some local media interviews in Arizona and West Virginia.

Those were very specific targets as there are two key Democratic senators in those states, Joe Manchin in West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema over in Arizona whose votes will be key in this whole process. But the president has made it clear that he wants Congress to act quickly to get this measure passed as it's really the top legislative priority in these opening days of his administration, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, Arlette Saenz, thanks so much, at the White House.

Coming up, QAnon-supporting Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene boasting about a recent call with the former president, this as calls grow for her ouster, and her controversies split the GOP further apart.

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[14:15:08]

WHITFIELD: Today embattled Republican Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is touting support from former President Trump, saying on Twitter today that she had a, quote, great call with him. This coming as she faces criticism from Democrats who want her expelled from the House.

Facebook posts has surfaced in which Greene called the deadly Parkland High School shooting fake, along with video showing her harassing Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg. CNN's KFILE also found other Facebook posts where Greene repeatedly indicated support for executing prominent Democratic politicians.

Next week, House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy will meet the controversial lawmakers to talk to her about all of this behavior. For more now, let's bring in Suzanne Malveaux on Capitol Hill. So Suzanne, what are we learning about what could happen during this meeting, or talk?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Fred, what we are learning from my colleagues Jamie Gangel and Daniella Diaz, is that that meeting, at least the House leadership meeting that scheduled for Tuesday, has been canceled. They say according to their sources that that's because there is a traveling conflict, they'll be traveling back from Houston back to D.C. from an energy event. But at least one of those sources also saying that one of the reasons is that McCarthy is just not ready to discuss what the next steps are regarding Congresswoman Greene.

And make no mistake, however, Greene has aligned herself with McCarthy. They have both aligned themselves with the former President Trump. We saw Representative McCarthy last week at Mar-a-Lago. He came out with the former president saying that both of them vowed to bring Republicans back to power in the Senate as well as the House. It was Trump that said that he had more popularity and more juice, if you will, in terms of endorsing a candidate. And it was McCarthy who said, he framed it as a fight against the Democratic agenda, which he called radical.

So we are seeing kind of a comfort, if you will, as some of these lawmakers align themselves with the former president. This, too, from Greene, tweeting today, "I had a great call with my all-time favorite POTUS, President Trump. I am also grateful for his support and, more importantly, the people of this country are absolutely 100 percent loyal to him because he is 100 person loyal to the people and America first." She goes on, Fred, to say, "I won't back down, I'll never apologize, and I will always fight for the people."

This is a fight that is playing out publicly as well as privately among the lawmakers on the GOP side. Democrats taking full advantage of it, calling for censure, calling for her to be expelled from Congress. Not likely to happen because it requires at least two-thirds a majority in the House.

But there are some Republicans, the familiar ones, who have been speaking out against Trump, who are now speaking out against Greene as well. This tweet from Senator Mitt Romney, "Lies of a feather flock together. Marjorie Taylor Greene's nonsense and the big lie of a stolen election." Fred, we'll see how all of this plays out in the days and weeks ahead, but it is very clear that Republicans have a decision to make, and many of them making the calculation, the political calculus here, that perhaps it is important to be with the ex-president, with Trump.

WHITFIELD: And while McCarthy has one scheduled meeting that has been canceled for this upcoming week, his scheduled meeting with Greene, as far as we know, is still on.

SAENZ: That is still on, and as far as we know, there is also the GOP conference that is scheduled for Wednesday with all of the house lawmakers on the Republican side. That is still on the table here. So we'll see how all of this plays out in the days ahead. But it is a party that is very much divided, very bitter about it, and we will see how people fall in those alliances.

WHITFIELD: All right, Suzanne Malveaux, thanks so much, on Capitol Hill.

Democratic Congresswoman Nikema Williams is co-sponsoring a bill to censure Greene. She told me earlier today that she wants action. And a real scolding from the minority leader will not cut it, she says.

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REP. NIKEMA WILLIAMS (D-GA): When you hear the Minority Leader McCarthy saying that he's going to talk with her. Fredericka, you talk to children about cleaning up their toys. This has led to violence in our country. We saw a direct attack on the United States Capitol because of the rhetoric and the incitement of violence that she continues to perpetuate. Just yesterday she had an opportunity to apologize, and she doubled down. This is who she is. And it is time for her to be removed from the United States Congress.

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WHITFIELD: And Congresswoman Williams also told me that her colleagues who are advocating violence make her feel unsafe as a member of Congress.

[14:20:03]

So nearly a year after schools across the country started to close due to COVID, there is still fierce debate about what's best for American students. Coming up next, a panel of experts answering your questions.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel like I'm being put in a situation where I'm either having to choose between my students or my health.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When you are talking about people's lives, this isn't a game. It isn't a game when we have had several of our members die from COVID.

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[14:25:00]

WHITFIELD: The United States reported its first case of coronavirus a year ago this month, and still the debate rages over how and when to reopen schools. Parents and students are frustrated. Teachers are stressed. And President Biden's reopening plan is already facing obstacles.

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DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: He really wants to and believes that the schools need to reopen in the next 100 days, essentially all the K to eight schools within 100 days. That's the goal. That may not happen, because there may be mitigating circumstances.

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WHITFIELD: So where do we go from here? Joining me today, Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, who is a primary care pediatrician, Dr. Patrice Harris, who is a psychiatrist, the former president of the American Medical Association and the CEO of eMed, and Lisa Herring, the superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools. Good to see all of you, ladies, welcome.

Superintendent Herring, let me begin with you. You have just this week begun the process of phasing students back into the classroom in your district. What are the concerns that you're hearing from students, parents, teachers, staff? LISA HERRING, SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Yes, and thank

you, thank you for the opportunity to have the conversation. So in Atlanta Public Schools, January 25th allowed for us, after 10 months of being completely virtual, we allowed for our pre-K through second grade students and our students who are special education to return back, if they opted, for face-to-face.

That's 11 percent of our traditional schools. In doing so, there's been a great deal, as you've already mentioned, of angst and concern around ensuring safety, particularly during a time when we are still watching the levels of community spread.

We balance that with the reality of knowing that there are vulnerable populations for whom we want to be able to serve as best we can. In doing so, the feedback that we've received has been tied to two dynamics. We have a cohort of families who maintain their decisions to not only be virtual, but they acknowledge a fear around returning. At the same time, there are families who have been asking for return from the very beginning and are glad to be able to elect to use the option of face-to-face.

But I think it's also critically important to note the voices of our teachers who have been very clear around their fear and their concern about return. That includes administrators. We recognize all of that, and quite honestly, as you opened in the introduction, that has been the challenge.

I will say this, our decision has been grounded in advisement from health officials who we have been talking with through a task force. In our opening we've been very clear around the mandatory use of masks, social distancing within our buildings, we look at the capacity of our schools and classrooms.

And in Atlanta public schools this upcoming week we will launch surveillance testing in all of our school environments that have face- to-face. We'll do a soft launch of a cohort of schools, and then we'll scale surveillance testing throughout.

WHITFIELD: And so superintendent, is it an issue of families who have made a decision for their kids to be in school, it really is an issue of embracing the CDC guidelines? Or are you offering assurances that Atlanta Public Schools are doing something beyond what the CDC has recommended with hand washing, facemasks, and social distancing?

HERRING: So without question, we are adhering to all of the guidelines that have been identified by the CDC. Social distancing is critical. We've created our own internal dashboard, COVID capacity dashboard, so that principals and schools can look at what the maximum capacity potentially could be relatively to safety. You've already mentioned the others, the wearing of the masks, and of course disinfecting and sanitizing.

And yet, what we also believe we've had to do above and beyond, because we don't yet have access to vaccines for our educators, is to also implement surveillance testing. That goes above and beyond, that's not a part of the requirement. But we believe we're one of the few school systems, certainly in Georgia, that have also on-boarded surveillance testing.

And even with that, we know that's still a part what we must do, and we guide that carefully in our day to day.

WHITFIELD: Dr. Bracho-Sanchez, you heard Dr. Fauci moments ago pumping the brakes somewhat on President Biden's promise to get kids back in school within 100 days. What are the health concerns schools need to be aware of before being able to welcome all students back?

DR. EDITH BRACHO-SANCHEZ, PRIMARY CARE PEDIATRICIAN: Yes, Fredericka, it's great to be with you. I think there's no question we all know that kids badly need to go back to school. Parents need them to go back to school. I can't even tell you the number of things I'm seeing, kids have lost their structure. We're seeing rising rates of obesity, mental health conditions, they're falling behind, parents don't know what to do with them. So we need to get them back. We're all in agreement.

[14:30:00]

I think the problem is that last year when we said everyone has to go back to school, and we didn't include the resources, the help, we didn't take into account the community spread around schools, I think that's where we failed. I think that's where parents felt and teachers felt betrayed and left behind --

WHITFIELD: And when you say resources -- if I can interrupt, when you say resources, what do you mean? Because as the superintendent was just saying, of course CDC guidelines, but there is an added step that her public schools was able to put into place, which is this surveillance. But what are the resources that you're talking about that other school districts would need in order to creative the safest environment?

BRACHO-SANCHEZ: Right, Fredericka. I think study after study has shown if you actually space out desks, which requires space, right? If you actually give teachers and students protective equipment, if you actually have hand washing stations, if you have surveillance testing, if you have enough buses to take kids to school in a way that they can spread out, you can actually prevent the spread of COVID in schools. The only way some schools can do that is if they have the money to do it.

And I have to tell you, and I don't want to get into politics, but I have to tell you, I'm so hopeful that this COVID relief package will pass soon, because it includes a significant amount of money for schools to do this.

WHITFIELD: Dr. Harris, here is a viewer question. Maha from Chicago writing, "Given the new coronavirus variants and their increased transmissibility, is it safe to reopen schools for in-person learning?"

DR. PATRICE HARRIS, FORMER PRESIDENT, AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: Fredericka, again, thank you for having me on. And the first thing I want to say is, there is no one size fits all approach. And so this question is from a viewer in Chicago. You heard the superintendent talk about data. And it is so important that schools consider the local health conditions, the rate of spread. Certainly, there have been a couple of recent studies about children returning to school. We need more data. But there is no one size fits all solution.

And so you want to know the community spread. You want to know what resources, if the school has a comprehensive plan. We heard the superintendent talk about testing, talk about sanitizing. Folks need to continue to wear their masks. So I think it's critical, and the critical question to ask is, does your school have a plan, does your school have a plan in place? Are they doing surveillance testing so when there is an outbreak, they can critically respond?

And most importantly, Fredericka, is your child ready to return? Address those fears. Some children are worried and may need to continue to do distance learning, and others really need to get back into the classroom as appropriate.

WHITFIELD: Excellent. OK, great points. Everyone stand by. We've got so much more.

Coming up next, more of your school questions at home answered. Plus a new study takes a look at transmission of COVID in classrooms, what the doctor leading that research told me about her findings. Stay with us.

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[14:37:14]

WHITFIELD: A new study is adding to the tense nationwide discussion around the spread of COVID in schools. The study looked into coronavirus transmission at two K through 12 schools, one in the southeast of the country and one in the MidAtlantic states. I talked with Dr. Darria Long, one of the doctors leading the study, about what her team found.

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WHITFIELD: Your finding was that the rate of infection or spread was low, and thereby your feeling is, it's universally OK for kids to be in school, they would be safer in school than to be at home interacting with the community. Explain why you concluded that.

DR. DARRIA LONG, LEAD AUTHOR, NEW STUDY ON SCHOOL SPREAD: Yes, Fredericka, and there's some big ifs and requirements there. What we found out it can be safer if you follow very conservative policies in terms of protocols for distancing and masking, and who gets quarantined, and also if you are testing.

This came up when we were in June and July and talking to these headmasters and saying, how can we safely open? And we realized it was going to be multipronged approach that included all of those things, because otherwise, a, we were flying blindly, and b, we knew we would get to January, now, still have COVID going on, and not be any wiser than we were in August. So we said let's start with these protocols, let's start testing and see what happens.

WHITFIELD: So at these two schools, you found that, what, about nine percent of the population of kids became infected? Help us understand that.

LONG: What we found is that 91 percent of COVID that walks in your door, because every school knows, yes, some people will walk in with it, because of the protocols and because of testing, 91 percent of them never transmitted to anybody. And of those nine percent that actually did transmit to someone else, we could almost invariably trace them back to a violation of the protocol. So the testing really enforced that when the protocols are followed, they work. When they're not followed is when you can have breakdown.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

WHITFIELD: Let me bring back my panel now. Dr. Bracho-Sanchez, the study claims the two independent schools studied relied on masks, social distancing, proper sanitation, and that the spread rate was low. Is this impressive enough to expect similarly following CDC guidelines for public schools and other private schools everywhere is adequate? I know, Dr. Harris, you already said, one size did not fit all, but Dr. Bracho-Sanchez, what do you think?

BRACHO-SANCHEZ: So Fredericka, I think the study is fascinating. And it's not the only study, right. I looked at it carefully. When they had COVID cases, those students had had holiday parties. So they saw an uptick after the holidays, right.

[14:40:04]

Students had gathered in school socials, and those were the students that actually contracted COVID in that study. And the study is not alone. There were two studies out of the CDC this week. One of them showed that there was an outbreak, a super spreader event in an indoor wrestling match, and another one showed a school district in Wisconsin that followed all the protocols and actually had very low spread of the virus. So this is not the only study. And again and again, what we're finding is that if we follow those protocols, because we have the resources to do so, the spread is very low and kids can go back to school safely.

WHITFIELD: And Superintendent Herring, it seems like what you are applying in your school district is very similar to how Dr. Darria Long said what they did involving these two independent schools. But how long before you think perhaps all public schools across the country would be able to do this, comply with CDC guidelines and be able to have that kind of test?

HERRING: Yes, Fredericka, so I want to emphasize the variation of the differences around schools and school systems. Weekly I communicate with superintendents across the country, and we talk about our challenges and our opportunities to learn from one another.

Your question of how long is really hard to nail. I do think what I didn't hear mentioned was vaccination opportunities. But in the space of protocols, it is without question, given size and scale of a school system, whether there are three schools or 30 or 100 or more, we have to ensure that those protocols are in place and that there is a process for not only monitoring but immediately tracking and quarantining.

But it does require resources. And we talked about earlier the need to ensure that we have the resources to provide PPE and, quite honestly, even in Atlanta public schools, where we've now taken on surveillance testing, we know that that is a cost factor, that every school system may not have the opportunity to execute. And so resources matter, coming from all levels, federal and state. But this is without question the season for us to emphasize the need for just that.

WHITFIELD: So Dr. Harris, which takes precedence in your view, the concern about the spread of COVID in the classroom, or kids being able to learn in person versus at home?

HARRIS: Fredericka, that's a very important question. And I remember early on in the virus, and I always said let's make sure that we are not engaged in whether or not this is a public health argument or an economic argument. This is both. We have to solve both. They are integrated.

And I think it's so very important. The resources come first, a plan comes first, whether or not you have PPE, the ability to space. Those things come first. And that's why we need to prioritize schools. We have not always prioritized schools as far as what should open first. So we need to prioritize our children, our schools, and make sure that we can get them back safely.

There's no such thing as zero risk, of course. And then we can make sure that mental health resources are provided to our children and families. So it's not either/or, it's both. And we have to make sure the resources are around to manage both.

WHITFIELD: Consistently I'm hearing, with all of you ladies and everyone, resources, that is the key. It costs money in order to do and take all of these measures of safety to ensure the best for kids, their families, and teachers and staff.

Stand by, ladies. Still to come, concerns over the long-term impacts to students' mental health.

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[14:48:10]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The garbage workers who pick up my freaking trash risk their lives every day, more than anyone in this school system. Figure it out, or get off the podium. Because you know what, there are people like me and a line of other people out there who will gladly take your seat and figure it out. It's not a high bar. Raise the frigging bar.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: So you just heard from that very frustrated father who lashed out at a school board in Virginia, angry at members for refusing to resume in-person classes.

Welcome back to our special on the road to reopening schools. My panel is back with me now. So Dr. Harris, many parents really can relate to the frustration that he just exhibited. We received this message from DeeDee who writes, "I am a mother who is juggling too much and see no end in sight. I'm about to burn out. Please help!" So what is your response to parents who are like, yes, I want my kids in school. Of course, they don't want anyone getting sick, but then they can't really work if their kids are at home, at home learning. So what do you say to them?

HARRIS: I do want parents to know that when they are at their wits' end, when they are about to burn out, they should seek help. I've been saying this, and I'm glad we're even focusing on the mental health aspects of this pandemic, because they are important. And the longer it goes, we are getting fatigued. And parents have to work and continue to be parents and take care of a lot of other responsibilities. And we know that this pandemic has disproportionately impacted women.

And so I urge parents to get help. If their children are more anxious or worried, they can of course consult with their pediatrician. There are resources, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, EverydayHealth.com. There are resources out there, so ask for help. There is no shame. in asking for help when you think you are at your wit's end.

WHITFIELD: Because it's really more than frustration. Among parents, we're talking about numbers that are just exorbitant. In one school district, Clarke County school district in Nevada, they voted to resume in-person classes after 19 students committed suicide. And there is the feeling that there is a correlation there.

So Dr. Harris, what do you do? I know you said a lot of folks need to reach out to mental health facilities and resources, but what do you say to families who, a, aren't even sure what they're seeing in their children, and they don't realize how really potentially dangerous it is for kids who feel like they're pushed to that bring of thoughts of suicide?

HARRIS: I saw the results of that study, and actually I've heard from other parents that say their children are really, really struggling. And of course, we've seen suicides noted in other areas. And so the key is to identify concerns early and, again, get that conversation going with your pediatrician, your own physician, a local community mental health system. I know there are a lot of 1-800 numbers out there for folks who are struggling. And so I ask parents to notice any changes in their children, if they are not eating, if they no longer seem to be engaged in learning.

And I know there's been a lot of differences and a lot of disruptions. And, by the way, let me say, Fredricka, that some of these responses are normal reactions, but certainly we are seeing, especially after this time, serious side effects. And so, please, open up those conversations with pediatricians, your own physician, 1-800 hotlines, ask for help, earlier, certainly, rather than later.

WHITFIELD: And I see you all nodding your head to that. Dr. Bracho- Sanchez, Dr. Anthony Fauci says vaccinating children may not begin until late spring, early summer, so should school districts wait to reopen until the fall because of that?

BRACHO-SANCHEZ: Fredricka, I wish we had that kind of time. We don't. As you just mentioned, we are seeing a rise in mental health conditions. We are seeing arise in obesity. Parents are at their wits end. We don't have that luxury.

We are hoping that soon we're going to have a vaccine available for children, and we certainly hope that the same urgency that different vaccine makers had to make the vaccines in adults will continue to be seen in children, so we definitely urge them to continue to work as fast as they can to develop something that is safe and effective in children. But we don't have the time, Fredricka, to wait to reopen schools until that happens.

WHITFIELD: Superintendent Herring, what is your message for Miguel Cardona, President Biden's pick for Education Secretary, whose hearing is set for Wednesday? What do you want the Education Secretary to know, do, act on?

HERRING: Thank you, Fredricka. The soon to be Secretary of Education is also a former educator and has had his share of experiences in public education. Here is the message. The advocacy and prioritization of teachers and children is not a political play. It is critical. We do not have the luxury of time.

Once being appointed and brought in as Secretary of Education, it is our hope and our expectation collaboratively that we will prioritize by making certain that resources are available for schools, not just for PPE but also for psychological and mental health support in all of our schools, because the stress and the anguish is real and right in front of us.

And in addition to that, that we would prioritize teachers and educators for vaccination. And wherever we can come together from a federal mandate that allows for us to do more and receive more support, it's a difference maker, because there is no blueprint. And when I speak to my colleagues across the country, we share best practices, but we are also hungry for a united front around being able to do what we can for our teachers and our students with as much guidance as possible.

WHITFIELD: Right, everyone may not be in agreement on how to get there, but everyone agrees we've got to get there and support and help our children, our teachers, families. Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, Dr. Patrice Harris, Superintendent Lisa Herring, thanks to all of you ladies, really appreciate it.

And thank you, everyone, for joining me today. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. The CNN newsroom continues with Ana Cabrera in a moment. But first, here's Dr. Sanjay Gupta with this week's "Human Factor."

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Emmanuel Bishop is challenging common preconceptions of young men with Down syndrome.

DOWN SYNDROME SELF-ACTIVIST: I'm a violinist, a swimmer, a golfer, and a polyglot.

GUPTA: As a kid, the violin became his first love.

BISHOP: I started to play at age six.

GUPTA: Emmanuel's passion for music has taken him to stages around the globe, including an invitation to perform at mass at the Vatican.

BISHOP: I am an ambassador of hope.

GUPTA: An ambassador proficient in multiple languages.

BISHOP: English, Spanish, French, and I study Latin.

GUPTA: Emmanuel has also set his sights on his next Special Olympics win.

BISHOP: I have won 52 medals in swimming and golf.

GUPTA: Laps in the morning, and hitting the greens in the afternoon, proving he can excel in the pool or on the links.

BISHOP: I'm living the dream.

GUPTA: To those who doubt his abilities, he says --

BISHOP: Presume competence.

GUPTA: And to young people like him --

BISHOP: I want people with Down syndrome to follow your talents.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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