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Follow-up Information from Thursday's White House Faith Leaders Call on Reopening Schools, COVID-19, and Protecting Faith Communities Freedoms

Below are highlights from Thursday’s call on the Administration’s dedication to reopening schools, the Administration’s latest COVID-19 response, and the Department of Justice’s dedication to protecting the constitutional rights of Americans to practice their faith freely.

Reopening Schools Safely
Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos

Secretary DeVos discussed the Administration’s continued focus on the importance of reopening schools, the Espinoza v. Montana Supreme Court decision, and Education Freedom Scholarships.

Reopening Schools Safely
·To watch the White House Roundtable Discussion Event on Safely Reopening America’s Schools, click HERE.
·To read more on the Administration’s efforts to reopen schools safely, click HERE.
·If you have any questions for the Department of Education on schools reopening safely please contact them via email.

 Education Freedom Scholarships
·To read more on Education Freedom Scholarships, click HERE.

 Supreme Court Decision Protecting Religious Schools
·Read The White House Press Secretary’s Statement on the Supreme Court decision HERE
·Read Secretary DeVos’ Statement on the Supreme Court decision HERE

COVID-19 Updates
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams

Surgeon General Jerome Adams discussed the Administration’s continued efforts and accomplishments on responding to COVID-19.

LEADING THE WORLD IN TESTING
·Thanks to President Trump’s leadership in rapidly revolutionizing our testing system, the United States is leading the world in testing. The United States has conducted more than 39 million tests so far, with thousands of new tests being done every day.
·The Trump Administration has cut red tape to get new, innovative tests to the market as soon as possible. The FDA has authorized 166 different tests under Emergency Use Authorizations, including diagnostic, antibody, and antigen tests. 

SUPPORTING IMPACTED AREAS
·PPE and ventilators supplies remain strong as we support doctors and nurses working on the frontlines to combat the virus.
The Administration is processing requests to deploy over 1,000 doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel to impacted areas like Arizona, California, and Texas. 

Mental Health Resources
·The HHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives hosted its second webinar on their Compassion in Action Guide. You can watch HERE.
·The HHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives will host the third webinar in the mental health series on the Caregiver Principle on August 6. You can register HERE

Additional Health Links
·CDC Considerations for Communities of Faith HERE
·CDC Considerations for Schools HERE

Protecting the Faith Community’s Constitutional Freedoms
Jennifer Dickey, Deputy Associate Attorney General, Department of Justice

Deputy Associate Attorney General Jennifer Dickey reaffirmed the Administration’s and the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of Americans to practice their faith in the midst of COVID-19. Excerpt from the Department of Justice:

“As the Department of Justice explained recently in guidance to states and localities taking steps to battle the pandemic, even in times of emergency, when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights, the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers.”

To view the Department of Justice’s full Memorandum protecting Civil Rights, click HERE.