INDIANAPOLIS — Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Indianapolis Friday. He was meeting with higher education leaders on safely reopening schools. That meeting was taking place at Marian University.
"We fully support decisions you and your administration have made to keep Indiana opening up," VP Pence said to Gov. Eric Holcomb. "To open up America again, we have to open up America's schools."
VP Pence said that opening schools will allow parents to get back to work and give children the learning environment they need. He said the typical student is 35 percent behind in reading and 50 percent behind in math due to the shutdown this spring.
"Wearing a mask is how we stay open and how we open up our schools," VP Pence said. "Keep doing your part."
"It's not asking a lot for people to wear a mask," said Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House's coronavirus task force. "We are part of the American community."
VP Pence said the federal government has been working with universities in Indiana to provide them what they need to reopen.
The Vice President also took time to thank the GM plant workers in Kokomo for their help making ventilators during the pandemic.
Second Lady Karen Pence is joining the Vice President on the trip.