OMAHA - "There's a wide variety of things that go into the overall health of a child," Ricketts said at a press conference with Nebraska Education Commissioner Matthew Blomstedt.

Ricketts quoted Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who said last week that suicides and deaths from drug overdoses have surpassed deaths from COVID-19 among high school students.

Ricketts said schools provide students with opportunities to socialize and are important for their physical, mental, behavioral and nutritional health.

School-age children have been relatively less impacted by COVID-19, Ricketts noted. Annual deaths from influenza are five to 10 times greater among that age group, he said.

The governor was asked if he believes schools are ready to reopen. "Absolutely," he said. He cited the thoughtful work school districts have done.

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