School closures may have a relatively small impact on the spread of COVID-19 and must be weighed against the 'profound' economic and social consequences, according to new research | fergushunter
On Tuesday, chief medical officer Brendan Murphy said health officials were developing advice on how to make schools safer, including improving hygiene measures, reducing gatherings and cleaning playgrounds.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Education Minister Dan Tehan have said the medical advice remains that schools should be open.Concerned about the spread of COVID-19, parents started pulling their children out of school in large numbers last month. The governments have also faced pressure from teachers' unions concerned about the welfare of staff, especially the elderly and those with medical conditions.
Robert Booy, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Sydney and co-author of the new study, said: "Children can attend school at low risk of COVID-19 – their health and education are both important."as an important part of a comprehensive social distancing strategy.
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