Coronavirus, also known as Covid-19 has spread across the globe and one of the most notable outbreaks is in Italy. Italian officials revealed that the virus has infected over 3,000 Italian citizens and is responsible for 107 fatalities. Due to the increase of cases, the Italian government made the executive decision to cancel all schools, universities and daycare centers until March 15. Public health officials believe that closing off places where people gather such as schools is an effective strategy to battle the virus. Alongside Italy, France, as well as other Asian countries including China and Japan, have also closed schools until April. According to Giovanni Rezza who is the leader of the infectious-disease department at Italy’s National Health Institute, children are at risk of “amplifying” and “spreading” the disease to their families and the rest of the population. Rezza also claimed that school closures were conducted in protecting the elderly which make up the majority of the casualties.
Questions:
-
Is it a good idea for schools to be closed?
2. Will there be a ripple effect and more countries follow Italy's footsteps by closing schools?
3. Besides shutting down schools, is there another strategy that may be more effective to battle the spread of the coronavirus?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/04/italy-orders-closure-of-schools-and-universities-due-to-coronavirus
https://www.vox.com/2020/3/4/21164938/coronavirus-italy-schools-closed
Is it a good idea for schools to be closed?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/04/italy-orders-closure-of-schools-and-universities-due-to-coronavirus
https://www.vox.com/2020/3/4/21164938/coronavirus-italy-schools-closed
The coronavirus closing schools in Italy is unfortunately not surprising. Schools in the US will follow suit and shut down; in order to protect communities from spreading it around. For example, Menlo High School has closed due to a staff member contracting it and so the school has had to disinfect the entire campus. It is really just a matter of time before all schools in high risk areas (such as the bay area) are closed and use video conferencing to continue learning. I know my brother's middle school has been having meetings to discuss this and setting up a procedure to continue teaching during a shutdown. It really is in the public's best interest to stay home and away from others, this includes school. We are not at this point just yet, but it is soon to come very soon.
ReplyDeleteSome strategies that are effective to battling the spread of the coronavirus, washing hands and putting hand sanitizer consistently, especially after using the restroom. Quarantine yourself everyday/week.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a good idea for school to be closed because as said in the blog being in a place with hundreds of people can higher the rates of getting the virus. There are also higher chances of getting the virus during class time because so many people are in a closed area. There will be a ripple effect and more countries will follow Italy’s footsteps in closing schools because it is one of the most effective ways of fighting off the virus. There are also other strategies such as the obvious cleaning and sanitation. By washing our hands and gurgling our mouths with water we can fight off most of the virus and stop it from spreading. Wearing masks is also effective.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good idea for schools to be closed, as they are areas where large amounts of people gather and the potential for the virus to spread there is extremely high. Although there are ways to avoid spreading it if we still were at school, there is no guarantee that everyone will follow the suggested protocols for staying clean.
ReplyDelete