SCHOOLS:
There are 578,499 kids (approx) between 5-11 in Victoria.
ATAGI has approved 3 week interval for Pfizer as an outbreak response.
Earliest possible dose 2 = January 31
So delay in person start by 4 weeks to allow all kids eligible to be vaccinated. New Start 28 Feb. 1/7
AIR QUALITY:
Every classroom and common space must have at least 1 HEPA filter and adequate airflow (windows/doors).
Where windows cannot be used, additional HEPA filters should be provided.
Urgent deployment - January-February
HYBRID MODE:
Even with a delayed start some students will get sick. All in person classes should be live streamed for students at home (no separate home learning online).
STATE RUN CLASSES:
Access should be provided to a group of online classes run by VicEdu to augment the system when teachers are away. Essentially webinars run by excellent educators, accessible to all students in each year level.
WARNING:
Do not gaslight parents about student safety.
Demonstrate student safety through appropriate actions.
Parents come to term 1 with the knowledge of term 4 last year - they will not be as easy to convince this time. Attendance will be poor without safeguarding actions.
GOAL:
Get kids back to school, learning and enjoying friendships, as fast as possible.
Every action I have suggested we have known was needed for 18 months. Now let's finally do it in the next 6-7 weeks.
FINAL THOUGHT:
Listen to schools. Don't repeat term 4. Healthcare workers feel abandoned. Schools felt the same last year. Let's reset in term 1 and deliver the best education and experience possible for our kids. Working together.
ONE MORE POINT:
If vaccine supply causes the timing above to fail then we need to do something totally radical - we need to adjust our timing and push the start of in person back.
I know, I know....it would mean evolution in thinking but I believe we can do it!
The letter regarding kids and schools published yesterday is deeply problematic. It assumes knowledge of transmission in schools.
One of our top paediatric research institutes, MCRI, states we don't understand this and has an open study to address it. 1/N
MCRI Website: "Ultimately, we need more evidence to understand how coronavirus(COVID-19) is spread in schools and ECEC, inform the best way to respond to outbreaks, and ensure that children, students and staff are supported and can continue to learn and thrive in 2021"
The research will also: "...... increase knowledge about...the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on school and ECEC communities."
Sadly this research requires kids to be infected to be successful.
The Schools letter sent to governments today has upset many.
It is poor comms, but beyond that there are some very significant erroneous statements. The most prominent for me is the lack understanding of the vaccination status of 18+ in Victoria - Currently at 18% booster
1/N
"With wide community circulation and all parents, grandparents and high-risk community members having had an opportunity to get vaccinated, the general population will not be at higher risk of severe disease with schools re-opening."
This statement should be ignored.
Patronising parents:
"We recognise that mitigation measures such as improved ventilation and/or masks may help parents and teachers feel more comfortable with the return to school and that this is an important consideration."
Covid is actually airborne!!
"feel" ??