Medical officer explains why it’s ‘safe’ for kids to go back to school

Despite Scott Morrison’s reassurance that it is safe for parents to send their children back to school amid the coronavirus pandemic, many remain skeptical or confused by conflicting advice.

The prime minister said it was decided during a cabinet meeting on Thursday that education is “best delivered” face-to-face in the classroom and medical advice suggests there are no health implications.

That call was backed up on Saturday by Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth.

“It is clear this is a virus that more readily transmits between adults than it does from child to child. or from child to adult,” Dr Coatsworth told the Today Show.

The doctor went on to address the “very low” transmission rates within a school environment and said teachers and principals had been given clear guidance on how to keep schools safe for students and staff.

But with the decision to open schools left up to officials in individual states, and residents being told not to leave their homes except for essential reasons, Dr Coatsworth said he could see why there is confusion among parents.

“I think the real question needs to be - unfortunately needs to be placed to those with accountability for those decisions who are under State and Territory Premiers and Education Ministers,” he said.

The doctor also said he agrees the Federal Government needs to get the messaging out there a little more so parents will feel comfortable sending their kids back to school.

‘There is no decision’

Mum-of-two Zoe Collins, from Brisbane, told the Today Show she and her husband will be keeping their kids at home despite medical advice.

“It's not just about home schooling. It's about the fear of whatever else is going on in the world and the real sadness that people that I know have parents and high risk people around them and people I know have friends who died,” she said.

“So, for me and my husband there is no decision. I am a nonessential worker. I'm staying at home with my kids.

“And we're just going to have to focus on our family and that's - you know, for us the relationships of our family are far more important than the formal learning. The formal learning will have to come second.”

NSW Schools to roster on students

President of the NSW Teachers Federation, Angelo Gavrielatos, told the program teachers were “struggling under the weight of contradictions”.

“We're told it's not ok for kids to play in a public playground yet it's ok for kids to be in a school playground literally on the other side of a fence. We're told it's not ok for kids to be cared for by their grandparents yet it's ok to be taught by teachers who may also be grandparents. It's important to note that our schools are very complex places,” Mr Gavrielatos said.

The NSW premier is looking into a rostering system for schools to return to face-to-face learning as the number of new COVID-19 cases in the state continues to remain low.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more school students would be back in classrooms from the third week of term two on May 11, with children to stagger the days they attend school.

Voluntary attendance in WA

Meanwhile in Western Australia, schools will reopen for term two but parents won't be obligated to send their students.

The decision has been panned by teachers as lacking clarity.

The state government announced staff will return to public schools on April 28 - a pupil-free day - before students resume on April 29.

Parents can choose to keep their children at home and resources will be provided for such students, including online learning where possible.

In order for schools to be a safer environment, Dr Coastworth said the government needs to apply pressure to follow the guidelines advised by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).

“What we said to government is ‘you must apply the guidelines’. The guidelines say that the 1.5m distancing must be observed. The four square metres per person in an enclosed room must be observed,” he said.

“The guidelines also go on to say toilets need to be cleaned after each recess break. Playground equipment, computer - keyboards, door handles need to be cleaned frequently throughout the day.”

—with AAP

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