The DC: McConnell says next COVID bill must focus on 'kids, jobs, and healthcare,' and... 🚸 Should K-12 students return to classrooms?

Welcome to Thursday, July 16th, ups and downs...

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said Senate Republicans will release their version of a “phase 4” coronavirus relief package next week after Congress returns, paving the way for bipartisan negotiations and potential passage of a compromise bill before the end of the month.

McConnell said the emphasis of the package will be on “kids, jobs, and healthcare” and reiterated that the inclusion of COVID-19 liability protections for doctors, hospitals, nurses, businesses, schools and other institutions must be included:

“Nobody should have to face an epidemic of lawsuits on the heels of the pandemic that we already had related to the coronavirus.”

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told Fox Business that he could “conclusively” say that there will be a “phase 4” package because of a growing consensus between Republicans and Democrats about the need for additional stimulus to help healthcare efforts, bolster safety measures as students return to school, and provide further relief to people put out of work by the pandemic.

Should “kids, jobs, and healthcare” be the emphasis of a phase 4 coronavirus bill?

For a politics-free guide to how to protect you and your loved ones from corona, click on over to our Coronavirus Info Center.

On the Radar

K-12 Back In Classrooms?

Even as the COVID-19 case count continues to rise in the U.S., schools and parents are looking ahead to another challenge: whether or not to reopen classrooms this fall. Conflicting guidance, parents' concerns for their children, and teachers' worries for their own health are making the status of in-person K-12 education this fall unclear.

At the end of June, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released guidelines encouraging "having students physically present in school" this fall. The AAP's June guidelines emphasized that there are major health, social, and educational risks to keeping children at home.

However, the AAP then walked back its support for in-person schooling on July 10, tweeting:

"Educators and pediatricians share the goal of children returning safely to school this fall...but we must pursue re-opening in a way that is safe for all students, teachers and staff."

Some places, such as New York City, have already announced that they will not fully reopen schools this fall. In New York City's case, classroom attendance in September will be limited to only one to three days.

Do you think K-12 students should be back in classrooms this fall?

Under the Radar

U.S. Rejects China's Territorial Claims in South China Sea as Beijing Seeks Military & Economic Ties With Iran

On Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released a statement rejecting the People’s Republic of China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Additionally, China and Iran announced that they are planning to enter into an economic and military partnership, which would give Iran an important ally in its effort to avoid economic sanctions imposed because of its nuclear program while allowing China to extend its “Belt and Road” initiative into the Middle East.

The partnership would also include joint military training and weapons development, in addition to intelligence sharing, which may result in elements of the People’s Liberation Army being stationed in Iran. 

Does the U.S. need to support Southeast Asian nations in standing against China’s territorial demands?

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And, in the End…

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—Josh Herman

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