Term 3 has brought a steep rise in the number of Victorian students catching COVID-19, but some principals are sceptical of the new mask advice, predicting it will have limited impact without a mandate. masks covid19
The renewed plea for students to voluntarily mask up in class has been driven by a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases among schoolchildren, but some principals, health experts and parents are sceptical, saying the benefits do not outweigh the harm to children’s learning.
The operations guide for government schools, which is also relied on by most Catholic and independent schools, used firmer language, stating it is “the department’s expectation” that students and teachers wear masks. Catherine Bennett from Deakin University says the mask intervention should be grounded in quality research.But one experienced primary school principal said the Victorian recommendation amounted to “a feel-good, kumbaya message that doesn’t carry any gravitas”.
“Teaching children who are wearing masks is very difficult. Especially if they are from non-English-speaking backgrounds, it can be difficult to understand what they are saying,” he said. “I know that when teachers are teaching, if they are wearing masks, the kids are not learning as effectively.” Cowie said the public health team had strong evidence children were a significant source of transmission to their families. He said he could not overstate the importance of mask-wearing.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
COVID Australia updates LIVE: Push to cut COVID-19 isolation to five daysNSW premier says Australia needs to move beyond pandemic mandates; ex-health department boss warns COVID-19 “is not going away”. Follow updates here.
Read more »
COVID Australia updates LIVE: Perrottet pushes spring review of COVID-19 quarantineOne in five government appointments given to political allies; states want turbocharged skilled migration, boost to women’s participation from jobs summit. Follow updates here.
Read more »
NSW schools to begin four-week COVID-19 ‘blitz’ as term 3 beginsNSW public schools will begin a “four week blitz” to stem the spread of COVID-19 when students return from holidays on Tuesday, with more than 9 million rapid antigen test kits to be distributed | daniellamariewh lucy_carroll
Read more »
Queensland records fewer COVID-19 hospitalisations but demand on hospitals 'keeps increasing'Queensland records less hospitalisations of COVID-19 today but the pressure remains on health services with up to 7 per cent of health staff off sick, minister Yvette D'Ath says.
Read more »
'We need to know': Albanese pushed to release COVID-19 modellingDan Tehan is calling for the government to release recent COVID-19 modelling to give Australians an understanding of what impact the current Omicron wave will have on the nation.
Read more »
Patients 'treated in corridors' and paramedics in crisis as COVID-19 hits statesNurses are sounding the alarm on overwhelmed hospital wards in Perth, claiming the new wave of COVID-19 is resulting in patients being treated in corridors.
Read more »