‘Schools And Education Are A Local Issue’: HHS Nominee Dodges Question On School Reopenings https://dailycaller.com/2021/02/23/schools-and-education-are-a-local-issue-hhs-nominee-dodges-question-on-school-reopenings-xavier-becerra/ California Attorney General and Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Xavier Becerra dodged a question on school reopenings during his Feb. 23 confirmation hearing. During the hearing, Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins pointed to “losses in academic achievement, literacy, social and emotional development” as a reason to press for school reopenings. She also referenced a Washington Post op-ed which argued that three feet of distance between children is adequate for classroom learning, and that greater distancing will keep children out of school. “Won’t maintaining this six foot recommendation, despite these very credible alternative views by healthcare experts, prevent many schools from resuming full-time in-person learning this year, and possibly even into next year?” Collins asked. (RELATED: CDC Director Changes Mind On Re-Opening Guidelines After Entering Biden Administration)