Is it safe to go back to school?

Managing the risk: A worker disinfecting a classroom before the students return to school in Ankara, Turkey. — AFP

THERE is much confusion regarding Covid-19 spread – understandable given the evolving nature of the data set and the proliferation of misinformation. Before children head back to school, it’s critical their teachers and parents understand the risks.

It has been demonstrated that all ages can be infected by the virus, and the older you are, the more likely you are to have complications. While rare, very serious illness and death can occur in children, and preconditions in children and adults can contribute to hospitalisation. Multiple studies have come in the past month demonstrating school attendance does not appear to play a strong role in Covid-19 spread and that opening schools has had little direct effect on community transmission.