The Omicron variant has led to a surge in Covid cases throughout the nation. Cardona acknowledged that in the coming weeks, last-minute staffing shortages caused by the pandemic could cause some short-term school closures.
“I do think there will be bumps in the road, especially tomorrow,” he said.
Cardona said vaccination and testing remain the best safeguards for school-age children.
“Where vaccination numbers are high, there’s less disruption,” he said.
The Education secretary said that the children are not the only ones who benefit from in-person learning.
“Keeping them in school is critical for them, for our communities, for our parents,” he said.