"I recommend that schools SHOULD NOT return to normal operations this school year. I do not make this recommendation lightly and I make it as a “recommendation” only because I cannot “require” it. The power to mandate closure rests with the Governor and Health officials. I met with all of the Nebraska’s Local Public Health officials on Saturday and have been in multiple meetings with the Governor and state health officials. You should note, health officials and the Governor are supportive of this recommendation. This is a unique moment in time and I understand if you have doubts about the severity of this crisis. HOWEVER, I do not have any doubt as I have been witness to the information and discussions that make me certain about the public health risk to all of Nebraska and the nation. You have witnessed the unprecedented response across the country in two weeks’ time, you can see the crisis response continues to escalate. As Chancellor Gold at UNMC has mentioned to me and publicly stated, it would be best to be 5 minutes early than 5 minutes late. I hope we are in the 5 mins early phase in Nebraska.
There has been much in the news about the spread and detection of this virus and unfortunately the public trust in national media and government has erroded. Nebraska is among the few states that have taken earlier measures to prevent the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus due to thoughtful leadership at all levels in Nebraska. Key to that strategy is the suspension of large public gatherings (State Basketball, school events, and schools themselves). There is far more to accomplish in this societal response effort but school closure is among the recommended strategies to address this public health concern. Closing schools by itself is not enough. Communities, families, businesses, churches, and hospital, nursing homes and even individual behaviors have to change to slow the spread of the virus. The rapid growth can and likely will overwhelm our public health and health care providers and facilities. If and likely, when that happens, we’ll see more extreme measures as are being seen in other states."
