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" ??
Mental health:
"The major health impact of COVID-19 for children and young people has been on their mental health."
There is no evidence that a short delay in in person learning for some kids will impact mental health more than massive school disruptions.
Teachers:
"Teachers are at no higher risk than the general adult population"
I can only guess this is based on online learning data!
Wait for the staff shortages....under the bus teachers!
Rich and Poor:
"A delay to returning to in-person learning ignores the obligation to deliver the best education possible to children, greatly disadvantages the least privileged and causes unnecessary anxiety and harm."
Poorer schools will be hit hardest with school disruptions.
"A delay in returning to in-person learning puts children's mental health at risk, with additional increases in the risk of child abuse, obesity, and delayed social and emotional development. The lifelong impact of this is not known."

Obesity? That's a lot of Tim Tams in 20 days
Key statement there is "The lifelong impact of this is not known". That has not stopped this being used all day!
Make strong logical arguments that resonate with families, teachers and schools and there will be no end to the support.
Suggest policies that do not ignore the safety of school staff or ignore the most vulnerable and you will have my support.

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More from @DrShaneRRR

13 Jan
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.
Read 5 tweets
9 Jan
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 Image
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).
Read 10 tweets

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