Missouri governor clarifies comments on school kids, virus

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is clarifying comments he made in a radio interview in which he said children returning to school will come down with the coronavirus but will “get over it,” remarks that drew criticism from several Democrats as well as the head of a state teachers union.

The Republican governor made the comments Friday during an interview on “The Marc Cox Morning Show” on 97.1 FM in St. Louis. Democratic State Auditor Nicole Galloway, Parson's likely opponent in the November general election, said on Twitter that the governor showed “stunning ignorance” about how COVID-19 affects children.

Missouri National Education Association President Phil Murray said Parson's comments showed "a callous disregard for the suffering of children and the safety of the parents, grandparents, educators, and students that will be put at risk if schools are reopened with improper plans and protections.

“When the Governor says that children are, ‘gonna get over it’ he forgets that some children won’t. He forgets that some children will be left with life-long health problems and some children will lose their lives,” Murray said in a statement Tuesday.

Parson sought to clarify his comments in a subsequent radio interview Tuesday, this time with Mark Reardon of KMOX Radio in St. Louis, and in a statement Wednesday to The Associated Press.

Parson told Reardon he “didn’t do a good job of explaining” his point, but added that anyone implying that he doesn't care about children is a “sick individual.”

“Everybody's trying to make politics out of it. Whatever,” Parson said.

In the statement to the AP, Parson said he has been a “strong supporter of public education” throughout his career.

“I attended a public school. My...