The First Lady Jill Biden spoke out on Monday to issue a back to school message in which she called for mask wearing and COVID-19 vaccinations, adding that “listening to science” will keep schools open.

“Parents, I want you to know that your child, your school and your family are at the heart of all that my husband, Joe, is doing to help our country defeat and ultimately recover from this pandemic,” Biden wrote in an oped for ABC News. “As a teacher for over 30 years, and a mom even longer, I know that classrooms are so much more than places where our children learn math and reading.”

After talking about how much both children and parents rely on schools every day, Biden tried to tout things that her husband has done to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

“This Administration is doing all we can to keep schools open and at the same time safeguard our children,” she added. “Public health officials have laid out clear guidelines on how schools can bring kids back to the classroom safely and the American Rescue Plan has provided the support schools need to hire additional staff, including nurses.”

“As we’ve seen this year, so many children are dealing with grief, loss, and trauma,” Biden continued. “In order to truly serve our kids, schools must support mental health with the social and emotional resources that students need to recover, learn and grow. That’s why we are helping schools hire more counselors and social workers.”

Not stopping there, Biden proceeded to double down by calling for masks and COVID-19 vaccinations.

“With classes beginning again, the uncertainty of COVID-19 remains,” she stated. “Still, we do know that vaccines and wearing masks provide the best protection available against this virus. To keep our schools open and safe this year, it will take all of us coming together—being honest about the risks we face, listening to science, and working as one.”

This comes as Republican governors in states like Florida and Texas are fighting back against school mask mandates and trying to ban local districts from enforcing them.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Objectivist. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.