Decision to resume classes risky

THE decision for primary and secondary schools to resume classes on May 4 has been received with mixed reactions on the concerns of practising hygiene relating to the coronavirus.
Parents and teachers are now challenging the Government on how the Education Department expects students and teachers to practise social distancing, the regular clean down of classroom facilities and equipment, the general practise of hand washing or sanitising. A huge challenge will be for the children not to touch their eyes, mouths and nose.
Their concerns is based on the fact of crowded classrooms, especially, in the public schools.
From the World Health Organisation, people can catch Covid-19 from others who have the virus.
The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with Covid-19 coughs or exhales.
These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person.
Other people then catch Covid-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
People can also catch Covid-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with Covid-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets.
This is why it is important to stay more than one meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
Yes, PNG may have recorded only eight cases of people with coronavirus but that is still not comforting for parents.
Constant reminders from the Health Department and entities driving the fight in stopping the spread of coronavirus is for everyone to ensure the measures of social distances, getting into crowded areas and the simplest reminder of personal hygiene are in place.
Apart from the Education Minister’s instructions on the number of lessons per day, a clear directive should also be issued in terms of personal protective equipment such as masks for both students and teachers.
If it is a must that masks be worn, who is supposed to be providing that and most importantly the correct way of wearing one and the do’s and don’ts while wearing it?
With new reported cases, the risk of spreading is very high if someone is infected.
A teacher has suggested that students and teachers be provided with face masks and hand sanitisers in the classrooms, toilets and office buildings.
Put the state of emergency (SOE) funds to good use now before the resumption of classes.
Social distancing is not guaranteed as there are almost 100 students per class in almost all government institutions.
Coming from a teacher, this will be hard to dispute.
Earlier this year, a school in Port Moresby with a student population of 3,300 students was closed due to health concerns.
Investigations by the National Capital District Commission’s environmental health officials found that both the male and female toilet facilities were out of order resulting in students defecating on the floor and walkways into the closets, and the absence of hand-wash basins.
The school was reopened after the problems were addressed.
You don’t have to be Albert Einstein to know that this could be the likely scenario in most schools in the country.
Reiterating our Health Minister’s reminder – the virus doesn’t move unless people move it, it seems parents will have to make that call for the benefit of their children come May 4.
While it is important that our children’s education should continue, let us not comprise their health, that of the community and the country.