Josh Frydenberg says he has heard of doctors prescribing antidepressants to children as young as 12. auspol sprigst coronavirus covid19
The government announced that all primary students could return to face-to-face learning from October 12 instead of only prep to year 2 as was originally planned because of lower COVID-19 case numbers.
In addition, COVID-19 in children is usually mild and is rarely life threatening, it said. But the indirect effects of the pandemic – such as isolation, increasing behavioural and development concerns and poorer parent mental health – seemed to disproportionately affect disadvantaged families. Gail McHardy, executive officer of Parents Victoria, said it was important to base the decision on expert health advice.Loading
"We hope that the numbers will land where they need to land and the next announcement will be maybe the date will be brought forward for 7s to 10s. But if it's not and it's still going to be around late October, we have to be prepared."
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