Republican governors reject progressive outrage over in-person learning: 'They’re going to remain open'

Republican governors explain their decisions to keep schools open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey won't even try to save kids from COVID-19," the headline for writer EJ Montini's piece read, with the subhead, "The rapid spread of the omicron variant, combined with the holidays, the cold weather and the re-opening of schools could be a disaster in the making." Montini argued that Ducey whiffed repeatedly on the chance to slow the spread, arguing he could have required proof of vaccination or of a COVID-free test before children or teachers are admitted back into the classroom, or impose a statewide indoor mask mandate. The author suggested Ducey should take a page out of Washington, D.C.'s strict vaccine orders, where Mayor Muriel Bowser recently enforced a city wide vaccine mandate.

Asked to respond to the criticism, Ducey provided an issue on which he said the media could have better spent its resources.