Update On School Closures During Coronavirus Threats

There were only half of the kids today in my child’s kindy class. Despite many parents voluntarily self-isolating themselves and their kids, the Prime Minister is adamant that there will be no school closures as yet.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a number of more stringent restrictions due to the Coronavirus threat. These include elevating the Australian travel advice to Level 4 for the very first time in the country’s history. This basically restricts Australians from travelling to any overseas destination.

In addition, the PM has also banned all gatherings of greater than 100 people in indoor venues. The limit for outdoor gatherings remains at no more than 500 people.

The Advice About School Closures Hasn’t Changed

However, on the subject of school closures, the government is not giving in, despite many parents choosing to pull their kids out of classes.

The PM maintains that keeping kids in school was for the best interests of children, their families and the country as a whole.

“The health advice here, supported by all the Premiers, all the chief Ministers and my government is that schools should remain open,” the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Morrison used Singapore as an example, saying that schools are still open in Singapore and that despite this, the country has been “effective in managing and limiting the transmission of this virus”.

It’s Different For Younger Kids

“The virus operates very differently among younger people. It has a different manifestation among younger people and that presents a very different health challenge to the broader population.

“Many of us here are parents and obviously we are concerned about the health of our kids and the health advice that I’m happy for follow for my kids is the same health advice I’m asking all other parents around the country to follow.

“There’s only one reason your kid shouldn’t be going to school and that is if they are unwell,” the PM added.

Big Impact

Mr Morrison explained that school closures would have a significant effect on the economy and could adversely impact our health system.

He said that these measures could go on for at least six months.

“So that means the disruption that would occur from the school closures around this country, make no mistake, would be severe. Tens of thousands of jobs could be lost if not more.

“The impact on the availability of health workers, a 30 per cent impact of the availability of health workers is our advice. That will put people’s lives at risk.

Keep Calm And Send Your Kids To School

“So let’s keep our heads as parents when it comes to this. Let’s do the right thing by the country and by each other and follow the proper advice. There is a national public interest here in keeping schools open and our advice is that is not being done at the detriment of the health of any child.

“We need to ensure that when we put these sustainable measures in place that we are doing things that improve the situation not worsen the situation and lessen our capacity to deal with this.”

Are you pulling your kids out of school? Do you think the government should reconsider their stance on school closures? Tell us in the comments below.

37 Comments

- - Ellen said
  - 19 Mar 2020
    8:44 am
No I’m not pulling them out of school. I’ve 2 kids in high school and 2 in primary, my youngest is at the moment at home with minor cold symptoms

- - mom103297 said
  - 19 Mar 2020
    7:16 am
My little one is still going although I’m considering pulling her out. She’s immunocompromised from having cancer, and I myself have an auto immune disease. There’s no confirmed cases where we live but when that changes I’m leaning towards self isolating.
- Ellen replied
  
  20 Mar 2020 , 8:48 am
  Yes that makes sense. Take care ! X
- - rachel1970 said
  - 19 Mar 2020
    5:51 am
We are still sending our four kids to school (one in high school, the other 3 in primary)

- - mom265671 said
  - 18 Mar 2020
    11:07 pm
I understand both sides to this argument and I feel parents should have the choice

- - julieregan said
  - 18 Mar 2020
    9:45 pm
We will continue to send our girls to school until there is a known case within the school then we will take them out!

- - anna213795 said
  - 18 Mar 2020
    9:22 pm
We are continuing on with school but it’s a very small private school which makes a difference. I do question why they all haven’t been closed at least until Easter break

- - Carli85 said
  - 18 Mar 2020
    9:12 pm
They’re at school, but that’s I’m a teacher and I’m at school! A few staff members are anxious as they have heart issues or autoimmune diseases. I can’t see schools closing for months on end but I think a trial week or two will be necessary in the near future.

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 18 Mar 2020
    8:41 pm
The kids should still be able to learn

- - Frankiielot said
  - 18 Mar 2020
    8:14 pm
I think school should go on. The thought of this carrying on for six months is just too long a time for kids to be at home. What’s going to happen to the school year and missed learning?

- - BellaB said
  - 18 Mar 2020
    7:11 pm
The problem is that they’re carriers, and they catch it at school and bring it home to vulnerable people.
- Cookfromscratchmum replied
  
  18 Mar 2020 , 7:20 pm
  I agree with you wish they close schools for at least 14 days
- - mom343701 said
  - 18 Mar 2020
    6:09 pm
I think it is really unforeseen times at the moment, good that some key decisions are being reviewed and updated regularly

- - mom90758 said
  - 18 Mar 2020
    5:13 pm
I agree with Scott Morrison. Let’s try to go on as much as possible. My daughter is going to school and will continue doing so.

- - Supermom said
  - 18 Mar 2020
    1:46 pm
I’m not sending my son to school as my dad is staying with us at the moment and I don’t want to take unnecessary risk with him.

- - mom290396 said
  - 18 Mar 2020
    1:16 pm
Kids are at school today. Though I am half tempted to keep my 4 year old at home at the moment. Not just because of the virus and because he is prone to bronchitis, but because his teacher has all but admitted she doesn’t like him and has given up on him! Although at the moment, every decision we make to leave the house is weighed up, as to whether or not it is worth doing. My kids will be fine either way, as I’m a stay at home mum with a bachelor in education and a huge amount of resources. It also helps that both my children are preforming ahead of their year levels.

- - ehooper said
  - 18 Mar 2020
    11:43 am
My children will be staying in school as long as they can they deserve normal with all this crazy stuff going on. In Tasmania we are a bit more isolated due to the big bit of water. Normal life at moment with added precautions. Be prepared not panicking

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Article Update On School Closures During Coronavirus Threats

There were only half of the kids today in my child’s kindy class. Despite many parents voluntarily self-isolating themselves and their kids, the Prime Minister is adamant that there will be no school closures as yet.