US: White House slams many CDC virus school guidelines

Shortly after Vice President Mike Pence said new guidance for the reopening of schools this fall would be released in days, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany outlined the president's objections to guidelines the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been considering.

"In these guidelines, there are 28 implicit acknowledgements that these guidelines aren't even feasible," McEnany said.

Pence announced plans for new CDC guidelines shortly after President Donald Trump took to Twitter to criticize the public health agency for asking schools “to do very impractical things.”

McEnany gave an example that the CDC suggested that students should bring their own lunches where feasible.

"Well, there are 22 million children in this country who depend on these meals at schools, who depend on access to nutrition in schools."

School districts across the United States are struggling with how to safely reopen as the coronavirus continues to surge in some states.

Pence said it's “absolutely essential” for students to return to the classroom for in-person learning.

When McEnany was asked whether the president has confidence in Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, who was not present for Pence's remarks, she sidestepped the question.

"The president  has confidence in the conclusions of our medical experts. But it's up to him to determine what to do with that information," she said.

McEnany also said the Justice Department is launching an effort, called "Operation Legend" to fight a surge of violent crime in Kansas City, Missouri.

"Operation Legend is going to focus on a federal effort to increase law enforcement presence in the city," she said.