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Surprised there's been no push back on this.
Leaving children at home for another term has enormous neg. consequences that quite possibly outweigh the benefits.
THREAD https://twitter.com/KejanHaynes/status/1294712191153836033
Leaving children at home for another term has enormous neg. consequences that quite possibly outweigh the benefits.
THREAD https://twitter.com/KejanHaynes/status/1294712191153836033
In any mass gathering, there is a chance the virus will spread.
However, much of the public sector remains open with a rotation system in place so its clear the govt is willing to take risks once safety protocols are established.
However, much of the public sector remains open with a rotation system in place so its clear the govt is willing to take risks once safety protocols are established.
The education of our children is just as essential as public services.
The only possible reason to keep the public sector open but keep schools closed is if in-person schooling poses an elevated risk to the population.
The only possible reason to keep the public sector open but keep schools closed is if in-person schooling poses an elevated risk to the population.
Children make up the majority of the school population.
Multiple studies show that children are less likey to develop an acute case of COVID once infected. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(20)30177-2/fulltext
Multiple studies show that children are less likey to develop an acute case of COVID once infected. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(20)30177-2/fulltext
Some say the real danger lies in their ability to spread the disease to adult staff/family who may experience severe complications as a result.
However, emerging studies show children transmit the disease at lower rates than adults. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/146/2/e2020004879.full
However, emerging studies show children transmit the disease at lower rates than adults. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/146/2/e2020004879.full
Data is still evolving on transmission rates in children so perhaps its best to study countries that have already opened schools.
22 EU. countries re-opened with little issue. Sweden kept primary/daycare schools open throughout the pandemic.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/20/opinion/listen-science-reopen-schools/?outputType=amp
22 EU. countries re-opened with little issue. Sweden kept primary/daycare schools open throughout the pandemic.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/20/opinion/listen-science-reopen-schools/?outputType=amp
A Swedish study found that teachers were "at same risk as the average of all other professions" - @MartinKulldorff
Regionally, Jamaica is looking at a phased reopening starting Sept. 7. https://www.google.com/amp/amp.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Ministry_of_Education_says_schools_will_be_reopened_in_phases_as_of_Sept_7%3fprofile=1228
Regionally, Jamaica is looking at a phased reopening starting Sept. 7. https://www.google.com/amp/amp.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Ministry_of_Education_says_schools_will_be_reopened_in_phases_as_of_Sept_7%3fprofile=1228
Looking at these countries, its clear there can be a safe reopening of schools (at least at the daycare/primary level) once effective safety protocols are established.
Conversely, many international studies show keeping schools closed risks leaving many students behind acdemically, increased suicides, child abuse, malnutrition etc. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/reopening-schools.html#fn13
Havent seen many studies specific to Trinidad (which is always the case).
But pre-covid, Trinidad has the third highest suicide rate in Caribbean (acc. to W.H.O)& Approx 15000 cases of child abuse from 2015 to 2018 which is a "gross underestimation" acc. to Deyalsingh.
But pre-covid, Trinidad has the third highest suicide rate in Caribbean (acc. to W.H.O)& Approx 15000 cases of child abuse from 2015 to 2018 which is a "gross underestimation" acc. to Deyalsingh.
This article also illustrates how the shift to online schooling has left many students behind. https://www.google.com/amp/s/globalvoices.org/2020/05/08/covid-19-and-trinidad-and-tobago-educations-digital-divide/amp/
The longer schools remain closed, the more significant these issues become.
Unfortunately, its poor, underprivileged children that will suffer the most.
Unfortunately, its poor, underprivileged children that will suffer the most.
