Good afternoon, everyone and thank you for joining today's Covad 19 update in North Carolina. As of today, North Carolina has had 707 164,228 confirmed cases. 2926 new cases reported. Since yesterday 2004, 741 people in the hospital and sadly, 9, 409 people have died. We're praying for those who are fighting this virus and those who have lost loved ones and friend toe friends to code 19. Today we continue to see stabilization in our cove in numbers. The number of hospitalizations has dropped for eight straight days, along with decreases, and are confirmed cases and percent positive. Although these numbers are still too high, we are encouraged. Still, we must not let our guard down, and we all need to wear mask and practice social distancing any time we leave our homes. Protecting public health has been the top priority since the start of this pandemic. We've taken decisive action to put strong safety protocols in place, including in our schools. When the pandemic first hit in marched, we moved to remote instruction to keep people safe from this virus that we knew little about. We asked science and public health experts to develop safety plans to help students continue learning whether they were in the classroom or at home. Learning has continued. Educators, parents and students have persevered. We've learned much mawr about this virus, and now it's time to get our Children back into the classroom. Protecting the health and safety of the people of the state, especially our Children and our teachers, has been our goal. And since North Carolina went to all remote instruction at the beginning of this pandemic, our number one priority has been getting our Children safely back into the classroom. We know school is important for reasons beyond academic construction. School is where students learn social skills, get reliable meals and find their voices, and teachers and staff play an important role in keeping students safe by identified cases of abuse, hunger, homelessness and other challenges that students face outside of school. At least 90 of our 115 school district's are doing just that by providing in person instruction for some or all of our students. Right now, what's new is that research done right here in North Carolina tells us that in person learning is working and that students can be in classrooms safely with the right safety protocols in place. Today, I'm joined by our state education leaders to strongly urge that all schools provide in person learning for their students. In addition, it's critically important that these schools strictly follow the safety protocols laid out by the Department of Health and Human Services. That guidance reinforces the importance of in person learning while maintaining strong public health measures to protect students, teachers, staff and families. Students should still have the option of remote learning the school year, if that's best for them, and the teachers who are at risk should be providing that remote instruction. But students who are ready to return to the classrooms should have that chance. This pandemic has tested us in different ways, but our educators and school staff have never stopped showing up for our students. Our teachers have worked to engage our students, whether remotely or in person. Our custodial staff has worked to keep schools clean and safe. Our bus drivers have gotten meals to students had taken them to and from school safely I know how hard you're working and that your state appreciates deeply your extraordinary service. Parents deserve a lot of credit right now, too, and I thank them. We know they've served as teacher assistants at home, on top of their jobs and other responsibilities, and our students have worked hard to learn amid unprecedented challenges. I'm so grateful for the way people have stepped up for our schools. Our team and health officials have worked closely with the Department of Public Instruction and Superintendent Catherine Truitt and the State Board of Education and its chairman, Eric Davis. We're committed to working together on this, and you will hear from them in a moment. But first I want to recognize Dr Mandy Co. And our secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Dot Co. Thank you, Governor. Before I talk about our strong track record in preventing the spread of Cove in 19 in schools, I want to share a few quick announcements. First, North Carolina has now administered more than one million co vid 19 vaccine doses across the state. That's an incredible milestone. Second, we have expanded our call center to help answer your questions about vaccine, whether we want to know about the vaccine and how they work, when you're eligible to take your shot or where your spot is to get a vaccine, you can call 888 6754567 seven days a week. Third, we launched a new online tool where you can enter your ZIP code or your current location to find nearby vaccine providers. Remember, supply of vaccine is extremely limited, so you may have to wait for an appointment even if you're currently eligible to get your vaccine last. Please join us tonight on our social media channels as we live. Stream a conversation on vaccines with Reverend Dr William Barber. Okay, now back to schools. From the outset of the pandemic, Governor Cooper took early and aggressive action to protect the health of North Carolinians. We have been guided by data and the developing science. It was that data and science that prompted us to allow school district's to go back to in person instruction last July. At the time, the emerging evidence showed that school was a lower risk setting and that we could further reduce risk for students, teachers and staff with strong guidance and preventive measures. In the almost seven months since ongoing research continues to reaffirm the early science that guided those decisions, Children, particularly younger Children, continue to be less likely to get and spread Covad 19, than adults when Children do get co vid 19. Most have very mild illness. Onley, in very rare instances, have Children develop develop severe symptoms. New studies also re reaffirm that strong prevention measures like the ones we have here for our North Carolina schools. They work. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently cited North Carolina as an example that schools can reopen safely even during periods of high community transmission when they follow those Covad 19 safety protocols. Ah, study by North Carolina's ABC Collaborative found that if someone is attending school, had Covad 19, it was very unlikely that they got Covad 19 at school or that they gave it to anyone else at the school and in the schools. At the collaborative studied, there were no cases of student to staff transmission. This is consistent with other studies in the United States and around the world that show Children rarely transmit Cove in 19 toe. Other Children and rarely transmitted to adults in an in person school setting, It comes down to strong public health safety measures in our school. Since August, at least 90 of our states 115 school district's have provided in person instruction for some or all of their students using those safety protocols, even with the thousands of students and teachers attending school in person across the state, we have seen a few cove in 19 clusters in our public schools and now, as a Wake County public school parent myself, I want to thank all the teachers and staff that have gone over and above to implement the safety protocols so my 1st and 3rd grader could attend in person school. This year, our department will continue to serve our school communities. Offering resource is and support so we can keep our school doors open. And no matter how old you are or where you go, practice those three W's. Whenever you're with people who you don't live with, where a mask wait 6 ft apart and wash your hands often. Thank you, Governor. Thank you, Dr Cohen. Next, I recognize Catherine Truitt, our superintendent of public instruction. Superintendent Pruitt. Thank you to Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen for your clear statement today on the need to send Children back to school. The hard truth is that even with immediate action, we face a challenging pathway ahead. Even before the co vid crisis, a majority of our students were already behind in reading and math proficiency. Imagine what has happened after nearly a year of remote learning. We also know that remote learning in this pandemic have taken a tremendous toll on thousands and thousands of families, disrupting jobs, childcare, healthcare, social networks and even food security. In short, this crisis has negatively impacted students. Mental health and overall well being, as well as their academic preparation data shows us that are most vulnerable. Students are also those who are disproportionately impacted by the remote at home learning environment. As we have heard, we have received extensive data to confirm that the health risks of in person attendants are thankfully much lower than we initially feared. As a former classroom teacher myself, I am well aware of the important role that schools play in all aspects of a child's life, and after suddenly being thrust into the role of a substitute teacher at home. I know that thousands of parents have a newfound respect for the profession of teaching. Most teachers want nothing more than to return to the classrooms and teach in person. But they, like our students, are being held back by district wide policies over which they have little input. I understand that for many schools the logistics of returning to in person instruction five days per week, maybe a challenge. But this is absolutely a challenge we must face head on. For some Children, this challenge is about fulfilling their potential. But for others, it's as simple is ensuring that they have a chance in life. We hope that today's DHHS guidance empowers local school districts to require students and teachers to return to their classrooms while also offering a choice of remote instruction for those teachers and students who are at high risk. From Cove in 19, our students cannot lose any more time. Thank you. Thank you, Governor. Thank you, Superintendent. Through it at this time I recognize Eric Davis, the chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education Chairman Davis, on behalf of my colleagues on the state Board of education and along with Superintendent Truitt, when extend my thanks to the governor and Secretary Cohen for your leadership throughout this pandemic. On March 14th, 2020 in partnership with Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen, we made the tough decision to close our schools for in person instruction due to the many unknowns about covert 19 ah, following the science with a learning mindset to gain greater understanding and how to protect our families and especially our teachers and students, we tasked our district's to create multiple operating plans to address the health and safety concerns in their respective communities. Since last March, and despite the heroic efforts of teachers, principals and family members, too many of our students have not received the academic construction or the social, emotional or mental health supports that they so desperately need. Quite simply, not enough of our students are receiving the benefit of in person instruction. We know that to equitably and fully address the needs of the whole child in every student. It's imperative that schools reopened for in person instruction. Since August, public school leaders have proven the merits of the safety protocols that have kept our schools safe for students and staff, along with remote instruction option for high risk students and parents seeking such an option. The science is clear. It is safe to reopen our schools in accordance with the health protocols following the three W's washing our hands, wearing our mask and waiting 6 ft apart. We know the pathway to effectively reopen schools. We look forward to partnering with our district's and all educators as students are returned to school buildings this month, student overall health, safety and academics are improved when they're with. Are caring teachers in our schools working together, we can fulfill our responsibilities to our students and support them in recovering from the damaging effects of co vid. Thank you, Governor. Thanks, Chairman Davis. Also, we have Monica McGee and Lee Williamson as our sign language interpreters and behind the scenes Jasmine Motive here and Erica Kugler, our Spanish language interpreter's. All of us are available to take questions, and we'll begin with the first one if you can identify your organization in yourself. Police. Our first question is from Claire Donnelly with W F A. Hi, There is clear Donnelly from W f A E m. This question is actually for Secretary Cohen. I'm wondering what plans the state has to reach residents who might not be able to leave their homes for vaccines either, you know, because of a disability or an illness. Hi, Claire. Thanks for that question. So obviously we're working to get vaccine out to all of the folks in North Carolina who need it a squid Klay and is equitably as possible. And we know that folks have challenges with transportation and leaving their home, either because of frailty due to illness or other reasons. So we're working with a lot of different mechanisms to get our vaccine out. I know our local health departments are are working to serve their underserved communities. Just a couple weeks ago, we released $2.5 million to our local transportation providers to allow for transportation to and from vaccine visits. But anyone who is homebound is eligible. I would encourage them to get in touch with their local health departments and others to see if there are ways in which we can work out vaccination efforts. I encourage everyone to be patient. The most important thing to remember about our vaccines right now is we do not have enough supply to reach everyone right now. So as we have patients, um, we're working to get everyone through multiple mechanisms. Thanks. Clear. Next question, please. Our next question is from Eric Spanned Berg with the Charlotte Business Journal. The Governor. This is Erik Sandberg with the Charlotte Business Journal. I want to ask you, you've been I guess everyone has been through so many holidays and a functionary periods where you're trying to get people not to gather. Obviously the Super Bowl this weekend, I'm wondering what you would say. Not only the people who are thinking about gathering, but also what would you say to restaurant owners and other business owners in terms of proper protocol for this weekend? Uh, the same thing we've been saying all along that it is not a good idea right now to gather, especially indoors with people that you do not live with. Uh, not only is that important for this pandemic we're in right now, but also with these cove in 19 variants that we see, Uh, that's not what we want. And we hope people won't do that. You could stay at home this year and watch the Super Bowl. Next question, please. Our next question is from Nate. More veto with WCNC. Okay. Hey, Governor, I have an unemployment question for you. The state is now administering another round of unemployment benefits, but federal performance data show even with changes last year, North Carolina continues to be among the worst in the country for getting jobless benefits out in a timely manner. People have turned the lawmakers and journalist across the state to move their cases along, and there really are still reaching out all these months later, your secretary told oversight committee last week. The delays air due in large part to inexperience first time filers. But even if that's true, why does it take a phone call or email from a journalist or lawmaker to pry loose a person's unemployment? Why can't regular people get their money without having to turn to us? Well, that shouldn't have toe happen, and our Department of Employment Security has gotten out millions of dollars to thousands of people. One of the concerns that I have continued to have is that our state ranks near the bottom and unemployment benefits that the state provides the shortest period of time and some of the lowest benefits. So one of the things that I'm going to recommend to the General Assembly is that we increase our state unemployment for people who are out of work because of this pandemic. And I know the department continues to work very hard to get help to people because that's critically important. And they will be ready to administer the new federal money that's coming in. Next question, please. Our next question is from Dawn Dawn with the News and Observer. Hi. Sean Bonner, the news and observer. Uh, since this is ah, you know, strongly urging that a mandate. Um, Governor Cooper, will you sign the in person learning bill that's moving through the Legislature right now? And why or why not? Well, first, we agree that we need to get our Children back to in person learning in the classroom. Uh, the question remains. What's the best way to do that? Ah, lot of superintendents. School board leaders at the local level has said that if you is, the state can provide us encouragement and guidance on doing it. Then we'll take the step forward. Uh, the State Board of Education. I on, and others believe that it's important to have this local control. And I believe that many, if not all, of the school boards will look very carefully at this and will make the decision going forward to get students back into the classroom. I haven't seen the legislation. I know about it. I have some concerns with it, particularly stripping out some of the health protocols that are in place, but that I don't think that's the way to go. I think the way to go is to get our local school boards to take this action, and I believe that many of them, most of them, will do. So hopefully all of them will do so because it's the right thing to do that question, Please follow up dawns on news and observer Hi, Thanks for the follow up. Um, if you don't think that's the way to go, does that mean that you will veto it? And that's the schools you said you hope that all of the schools will reopen. If they don't, then then what's next? And will there be a mandate for those schools that haven't decided to? Well, I've talked to legislative leaders of both parties today, and I've encouraged them that let's give these local boards a chance. Uh, they've had to make some very tough decisions on the ground. And I think we we agree that our decisions are best made about education at a local level. And with this encouragement with these new studies out showing the safety protocols with local school boards and superintendents knowing the local areas, uh, we think that this is the right way to go. We'll continue talking to the Legislature. I have concerns with this legislation that's going through right now and hope today spurs actions by local school boards, and I think that that will happen. Next question, please. Our next question is from Ashley Tally with WRL you don't. Hi, Governor. Thank you for taking my call. Um, with this move to bring it back to the classroom, Will teachers move up in the vaccination vaccination queue? We want to get vaccinations to the entire population as quickly and as equitably as possible. Teachers are in the group of essential workers and they are up next in the priority. I think it's important to know that these the research that has been done, Uh, says that the schools can be run in a safe way if, following safety protocols eso the team is going to continue to work to get vaccine out. Obviously, we need mawr from the federal government, and they will be part of the essential workers. Next question, please follow up. Ashley Tally WRL Thank you. Um, to that end, we've also heard that Harris Peter will be getting the vaccines, um, in North Carolina as soon as becoming a week or two. Is that correct? Do you know that? And will there be any other commercial entities that will begin, um, distributing or or giving out the vaccines in North Carolina? You know that the team is working on expanding the number of providers. Our biggest problem right now is not enough vaccine. But we're hoping that will continue to get Mawr and MAWR. We'll need more and more providers, but I'll let out to Cohen address that question specifically. Thanks. Actually, yes, we are bringing on mawr vaccine providers, but doing it in a very targeted way. As the governor said, our biggest issue right now is just not having enough vaccine that we can even get to all of our providers as it is. Um eso we are bringing on additional providers. Some of them are are independent pharmacies. Some of them are independent private doctors, offices and others who can partner with us to administer vaccines quickly and equitably as faras Harris Teeter. That does not ring a bell to me and sound familiar. Um, I do know that Walgreens is our partner in the federal pharmacy program that I know will be activated within the next couple of weeks. And there may be a partnership between Walgreens and Harris Teeter I'm not aware of, but that is, that is the pharmacy partner that will be used through the federal pharmacy program. Thank you. Next question, please. Our next question is from Brian Anderson with the Associated Press. Hi, Governor Brian Anderson here with the AP. Thanks for the time and the question. I have one for you and one for Dr Cohen. You just talked about the importance of education decisions being made at the local level. But as you remember back in September, you had decided, uh, allow for plan A for K 25 at the state level. That was the decision you made. Why not extend that out to K to 12 today or do an executive order today? And, uh, my question for Dr Cohen is, Are there any federally run vaccination clinics in North Carolina, as President Joe Biden has called for? In answer to your first question, what we want to do today is to make sure that Children have a chance to get back to the classroom in person. I'll let Dr Cohen talk about the details of that as well as the second part of the question. Hi, Brian. Part of your first question. You're right. We are encouraging those who are in elementary school to return in a plan a those in middle and high school in a Plan B. But in the updated guidance that you will see today, you'll see there is very minimal difference between A and B. It is really just about in the social distancing piece, and that comes strictly from the science that we keep understanding that there is a different pattern of of transmissibility between those who are under the age of 10 or up, thio in the elementary school age versus those that are in middle and high school. But again, in person learning is something we think should be a part of everyone going forward k through 12. Um, though there may be slightly different protocols that we expect for middle and high school to ensure the additional social distancing, Um, that we think is needed for our older students. But again, in person instruction is something that that the science supports. And if we're doing those safety protocols that folks can be back safely and in person learning, um, on the question related Thio, do we have any federally supported vaccine clinics? At this point? The answer is no, that we are in conversations with our FEMA regional partners about how they can support events going forward. Theis, you continues to be vaccine supply. We did get some good news from the federal government this morning. We're going to get a little more supply as we go forward into the next number of weeks, and we're so as we move forward and there is more vaccine supply, we certainly want to be working with our federal partners to have even more access points and federally supported access, uh, sites that that come with with personnel and hopefully also with vaccine We would definitely support having here in the state. Thank you. Thank you. Next question, please follow up. Brian Anderson, Associated Press. Then forgive me, but just to the first part of the previous question for for Governor Cooper. Why no executive order here today? Because the school systems that we have talked to want to know what the state believes regarding getting schools back open in person, and we're giving them that guidance today along with the public health guidance and let them make the decisions accordingly. But we think it's important to get our students back into school and think that this is the best way to get it done. Next question, please. Our next question is from Reuben Jones with Spectrum used Hi. Good afternoon. The North Carolina Association of Educators said yesterday that you know, they'd like to see schools reopened to, but they want teachers to be vaccinated first. I'm wondering for school boards as they hear your announcement today, and they also want teachers to be vaccinated first. Is there any clarity you can give them in the sense of when they might see vaccines for their educators first we want to get vaccines to our essential workers as quickly as possible and their next up in the priority lit list. I will point out that the research shows that Children can safely be back in school as long as health protocols are followed. And that is what we are recommending today. And I'll let Dr Cohen talk a little bit. Maura, about vaccines and vaccine priority. Hi, Reuben. As you know, we started needing to have a prioritization because our vaccine supply is so limited. And so right now we're vaccinating all health care workers and those over 65 over. And the reason we started with this 65 over group is because they represent 83% of the deaths in North Carolina. 83% are come from those who are 65 up. So we really wanted to protect those that were at the highest risk of death from co vid. Um, the next, a group that we remove. Teoh is our frontline essential workers thes air folks who have to leave their home to do their job, teachers being one of them, but also police officers, firefighters and others s O that will be the next group up. But I want to remind folks, and I keep saying this. There is such limited supply right now, we're still see very high demand for those who are 65 up. And so it's going to be a still a number of weeks before we're able to move forward to our frontline. Essential workers were working with our vaccine partners on the ground right now to help understand how, what they're seeing in terms of demand from that that population 65 up and then we'll know how we need to move forward to the next group. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. Next question, please follow up. Reuben Jones Spectrum News. Thank you. I just wanted to follow up regarding the distribution of vaccines toe Walgreens from the federal government. What will the states will be in that? And I imagine that Walgreens will have to follow the guidance for the rules already in place in terms of who gets vaccines when. Thank you. Thanks, Ruben. So there is a federal pharmacy program which is different than the fact that we at the state are also allocating vaccines to pharmacies right now. In addition, there is a federal pharmacy program where they can get a direct allocation from the federal government. That is where Walgreen's is the partner here. Eso in the coming week. I don't know if it's going to be next week or at the end of the week, but they will be getting a very small amount of vaccine at a few of their locations. We're still working through exactly where that will be, um, with our partners. Um, but we have heard that they that will move forward. They are going to be following the state's prioritization. So a zai was saying, We are vaccinating those who are 65 up, so they will follow our state's prioritization as they as they move forward. Thank you, Thank you. Next question, please. Our next question is from cold El Charco with W u N c. Good afternoon. Thank you for taking my question. This is called El Charco with W u N c A. Governor Cooper. I was just wondering what kind of resource is, if any are gonna be appropriated to make reopening impossible for district's, I know especially, for example, for Wake County schools they didn't have enough substitute teachers to continue providing in personal learning in the fall. So I'm just wondering if that's the reason that there not operating in person right now, How are they supposed to start operating in person in the near future? So one of the reasons for leaving uh, the ultimate decisions to local boards is concerning staff and whether there are parents and students who will be willing to go back into the classroom. But I think in most every district across the state, there will be enough teachers and enough students to have in person learning, uh, in every district across the state. It's also important that the school district's have the resource is, and I know that significant funding has been provided to the Department of Public Instruction Superintendent. True, it is here. We wanna make sure that emergency management provides all the personal protective equipment that the schools need and the cleaning materials they need to make sure that our schools are safe. And again, we're gonna push this really hard because I'm so grateful for our educators and all they do for our students. But it's really important for school systems. Uh, that are already operating in person and those that will after this announcement today. But they follow all of the safety protocols and insist that those protocols be followed because that's what we need to do to make sure that we slow the spread of the disease. But I think that each district should have enough resources in order to do this at some level. And that's why we're encouraging this today. Next question. Please follow up cold. El Charco W UNC, thank you for taking my follow up. I'm also wondering for the future if if the outbreaks do, at some point get worse again in the state Uh, would with this decision today signal kind of a change in priority going forward? Would there be a move by you and a future executive order, for example, of an outbreak gets worse? Would you possibly consider moving to reopen schools and keep schools open before businesses and perhaps shutting down businesses before um, district's move back? Thio remote learning. Thanks for the question. We're going to do whatever it takes to protect the health and safety of North Carolinians, and we're gonna follow the science and the data and listen to the health experts. I will say that a lot has been learned about this virus and a lot of research has gone on in the schools. And I was on the phone this morning with the Biden administration with a number of other governors, And Dr Wolinsky, the head of the CDC, says this. We've learned this about the pandemic, that schools should be the last to close and the first to open when you consider everything else. And I think that that is good advice. However, we understand that things can change, Science can change, health advice can change. And I'll be ready to do whatever I need to do to protect the people of the state after taking advice from scientists and health experts. Next question, please. A final question today is from Richard Craver with the Winston Salem Journal. Yes, I Governor, this is Richard Craver with the Winston Salem Journal. Um, just following up. Just get a little bit more specific on the schools. Um, is it do you view? It is okay for all grades to go back every day, five days a week, or you still were looking for them to do two days off, two days on and and sort of rotate the number of people coming in. We want to get our students back into the classroom, and we're leaving some local flexibility on that. But I'm gonna ask Dr Cohen to talk about the various plans that we've recommended to schools. Thanks, Richard. In all of our in person instruction safety protocols, there's some baseline that everyone needs to follow. That includes everyone wearing masks all the time. All the students, all the staff, all the teachers. There are other protocols, like screening for fever before someone walks in the school district in the school building, um, wiping down high high utilization surfaces and make sure that we're cleaning and keeping up cleaning protocols. The only difference between a plan A. That is what we're recommending for elementary school and Plan B for our middle and high school is really about maintaining social distance. When folks are seated in Plan A, we say that that you can have have I'm sorry, I'm Plan B. You want to be maintaining 6 ft of social distance at all times when students are in the classroom. Now that does not mean that you can't go to school every day, Um, in person, depending on the school building, the number of students that you have. So there are a lot of permutations here, and I'd encourage folks to really look at our guidance, ask questions of our team and our experts to really know how you can operationalize it. Because Plan B doesn't automatically mean less days in the classroom, it does mean that we want to maintain that 6 ft off social distance for those who are in middle and high school. I think there are many ways in which folks can go about doing that. And it doesn't necessarily mean cutting down on days certain certain school district's and school buildings, given the way that their makeup is and their physical plant, that maybe the way they have to implement things. But it's not an automatic. So we would encourage folks work with us, work with, um uh, and ask questions and think about how we can operationalize this to make sure that we can get as many kids in school for as many days as possible while still following those safety protocols. Thank you. Uh, there's a follow up question I understand. Yes. The follow question is, how is this effective extracurricular activities? Sports ban? Things like that. How will that be? Um, either freed up in terms of being able to participate? Or is there gonna be restrictions still on those extractive activities? Guidance on that. But I'll let Dr Cohen address hi, Richard. So we also have guidance on activities for students, and there are certain activities that are higher risk. We already do not recommend any of the indoor contact sports like basketball, um, and others for for students. And in fact, the CDC data that they put out last week that says it is safe with protocols to go back for in person learning. They did say, um particularly high school athletics continues to be a space where there is higher transmissibility, and folks really need to look at that. So our guidance already says that we do not recommend those indoor contact sports. There are some indoor sports that are not contact where we want folks to be masked all the time. Um and then, obviously for outdoor sports, um, where it is, uh, tennis or other things that are allow the social distancing their other protocols there. Um, but I think folks should be looking at things, um, and and those different activities that sports is one that has higher risk of transmission. Um, obviously, when you get together and there's singing, involved, shouting involved anything that increases that rate of transmission we want to make sure that we're examining that closely before allowing further activities to go forward. And I think the most important is getting our kids back into that in person instruction, um, and fall following the safety protocols. Thank you. Thanks, everybody, for being with us today, Mr.