The deadlier, more contagious Delta variant of the virus that's killed more than 600 thousand Americans continues to wreak havoc across the country.
With children under 12 still ineligible for vaccination and a disproportionately high number of young people remaining unvaccinated, the Delta variant is affecting school-aged children more than the original strain of the virus ever did.
This comes as schools are reopening, forcing state and municipal governments to confront the danger of the virus and determine the best way to keep children safe while maintaining their education.
In spite of this danger, a number of right-wing elected officials and media personalities have continued to rail against safety precautions, especially for children.
Far-right Congresswoman and prominent conspiracy theorist, Marjorie Taylor Greene likened children wearing masks to child abuse. Republican governors like Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida have sought to ban mask mandates in schools altogether.
In a tense exchange with right-wing radio broadcaster Amy Jacobson of Morning Answer, Illinois Democratic governor J.B. Pritzker defended his decision to mandate masks in schools and keep the option of school closures on the table in the face of the pandemic.
What followed was a tense exchange.
WATCH: Things got contentious during a Q & A with Gov. Pritzker today when his press secretary shut down a question about possible school closures.\n\nhttps://newschannel20.com/news/local/governors-press-secretary-shuts-down-question-about-possible-school-closures\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/9FIGkZAru0— WICS ABC 20 (@WICS ABC 20) 1629928857
Jacobson said:
"You had a protest out there this morning and parents were crying, screaming 'oh my God' — you know as governor you should try and calm people's nerves maybe, or can you because there are low risk groups."
That's when Pritzker's press secretary, Jordan Abudayyeh, cut her off:
"Amy, as a supposed reporter, you should probably stop the misinformation, we are done here. Thank you. You know how you prevent schools from being closed? You stop complaining about the mask wearing."
Pritzker retook the podium to address Jacobson:
"You are spreading misinformation. I wish you would stop spreading misinformation. You come in here with a political agenda and you spread misinformation and I just think you should stop. We now need to protect our children. We need to protect the people in our communities. Parents, grandparents, teachers — you are working against that. And it is extremely upsetting for all of us who are trying to keep the rest of the state safe."
The governor's response was applauded on social media.
This, right here, is *exactly* how you deal with rightwing reporters more focused on spreading misinformation than keeping people alive.\n\nThank you @GovPritzker and team.pic.twitter.com/oQlmgg6T6n— Brian Tyler Cohen (@Brian Tyler Cohen) 1629942647
Well done @GovPritzker!pic.twitter.com/pYqNOhb6T2— Wu-Tang Is For The Children (@Wu-Tang Is For The Children) 1629995975
I love this. Thank you, @GovPritzker, for denouncing this misinformation spreader in unambiguous terms. Your sincerity and care for Illinoisans show there. #DemVoive1pic.twitter.com/fE45VSI9jL— marikong \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5 (@marikong \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5) 1629958042
Well saidpic.twitter.com/g6z4310VLn— ArchieMegHaz (@ArchieMegHaz) 1629981161
honestly, love this. stop even legitimizing these people. not all questions are legitimate!!!https://twitter.com/wics_abc20/status/1430651436795322372\u00a0\u2026— armchair diplomacy (@armchair diplomacy) 1629984474
Good for him, keep the kids and state safe https://twitter.com/wics_abc20/status/1430651436795322372\u00a0\u2026— Tristyn Underwood (@Tristyn Underwood) 1629938839
They didn't hide their disdain for Jacobson.
\u201cSupposed reporter\u201d is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said about Amy Jacobson— \ud83e\udd0c\ud83c\udffcSuper Nintendo Chalmers\ud83e\udd0c\ud83c\udffc (@\ud83e\udd0c\ud83c\udffcSuper Nintendo Chalmers\ud83e\udd0c\ud83c\udffc) 1629980828
It is disingenuous to not add who asked the question. Amy Jacobson is a biased, partisan broadcaster \u2014 not a reporter or journalist.https://twitter.com/wics_abc20/status/1430651436795322372\u00a0\u2026— Sheila Quirke (@Sheila Quirke) 1629937423
Poor @AmyJacobson , the radio propagandist who whines piteously about "face diapers" and cheerfully spreads misinformation about the pandemic, was fully owned by @GovPritzker \u2014 watch and enjoy!— Eric Zorn (@Eric Zorn) 1629977893
