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The NSW Government announced today that a staggered returning to school plan from late October 2021 has been confirmed for all children outside of LGA concern and the possibilities of families within LGA depending on the status.  

The information provided at this stage suggest that all school staff and teachers will be vaccinated by 8th of November 2021, masks will be recommended but not as mandatory for primary school children.   Also mentioned that if stay at home order are lifted in an LGA or region before 25 October, all students living or learning in that area will return to face-to-face learning under the Department’s COVID-safe school framework.

As many of us aware, there are many evidence shown that the new strain of the virus is transmittable amongst children and the internal damaged caused by the virus could be long term.  Please also keep in mind, at this stage, other than the senior year children have been partially vaccinated, there is no solid timeframe on how to minimize risks and protect younger children (especially those who have not yet been vaccinated) upon returning to school.   

Recent studies have demonstrated evidence that children and youth are susceptible to the virus, and that they can also transmit the virus to others! The recent Georgia Youth Camp paper is a prime case that adds to the body of evidence demonstrating that children of all ages are indeed susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6931e1.htm?s_cid=mm6931e1_x   Another example is a large contact tracing study out of South Korea, where evidence shows that kids 9 years old and younger were less likely to transmit the virus within households than older children, but were similar to adults ages 20-39. Older children, surprisingly, had the highest percentage of household contacts test positive for COVID-19 out of all the age groups (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/10/20-1315_article?deliveryName=USCDC_333-DM33334 

Whilst we see other provinces, sovereign nations, and countries tackled reopening schools successfully by installing physical barriers (such as plexiglass) in schools at students’ desks and masks are required when the students leave their desks.

The current “announcement’’ to try to put our kids back to school in Oct. 2021 when we still have a high daily increase do not convince many of us to have peaceful minds in sending our kids back.  The plan seems rushed and unsafe.  It can potentially put many people’s lives at risk, especially high-risk individuals in students' households.

Each household should be allowed to exercise their own right to make the decision to return, based on their family circumstances to ensure what is the most appropriate and safe measure for the members of their own family.   

Quality online learning should be continued for those who needed until a clearer evidence-based plan, guidelines, measures, enforcement, and infrastructure implemented in place for our schools.   UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, the return to schools should NOT be voluntary can be over.  It is irresponsible to assume that students and school staff won’t further infect others and bring the virus home. 

We are sincerely asking for reconsideration of the plan.  If we do need more time to make it safer for your children, families, staffs, we should wait and continue e-learning at home.  We do not have to RUSH to make a firm plan that we know can impose risks now, especially when most of our young kids have not yet been vaccinated.