Face The Nation Season 67 Episode 29 8/8: Hutchinson, Cardona, Carvalho
- August 8, 2021
Face the Nation season 67 episode 29, titled "8/8: Hutchinson, Cardona, Carvalho," features interviews with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
The episode begins with host John Dickerson discussing the latest surge in COVID-19 cases and the debate surrounding mask mandates in schools with Governor Hutchinson. The Arkansas governor discusses his decision to lift the state's mask mandate earlier this year, only to reinstate it amid a surge in cases. Hutchinson also weighs in on the resistance to mask mandates from some parents and the impact on schools.
Next, Education Secretary Cardona joins the show to discuss the Biden administration's efforts to get students back in the classroom safely amid the pandemic. Cardona discusses the importance of vaccinations for teachers and the administration's push to increase vaccination rates among eligible Americans. He also addresses the issue of mask mandates in schools and the role of the federal government in ensuring schools have the resources they need to keep students and teachers safe.
In the final segment, Superintendent Carvalho discusses the challenges facing the Miami-Dade County Public Schools as the new school year approaches. Carvalho discusses the district's plans for returning to in-person learning, including measures such as social distancing and improved ventilation. He also discusses the issue of vaccine hesitancy among some parents and the district's efforts to educate families about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Throughout the episode, Dickerson and his guests discuss the ongoing debate surrounding mask mandates and vaccines amid the Delta variant surge, as well as the impact of the pandemic on education and learning loss. The interviews provide a range of perspectives on these issues from government officials and education leaders.