Weingarten, president of key teachers union, Democratic activist: 'Schools must be open' in fall

Randi Weingarten, president of the nation's second-largest teachers union, is set Thursday to call for the full reopening of schools next fall.

"There is no doubt: Schools must be open. In person. Five days a week," Weingarten says in prepared remarks for her announcement Thursday via social media, according to The New York Times.

Weingarten, a President Biden ally and president of the American Federation of Teachers, which has 1.7 million members, is expected to say the health risks of COVID-19 can be managed with proper practices such as hand washing, mask wearing and reducing class sizes.

Half of the nation's schools are not fully open, with many blaming teachers unions for the prolonged shutdowns.