He admitted that the government had to “balance the risk” as to whether children should return to school, but added that he believed students would suffer more from not going to them than from going to school, even during this pandemic.
First, the evidence that children do not go to school in the long run is overwhelming, including their long-term prospects. This increases the risk of inequality, strengthens deep-seated problems, increases the risk that they will be in poor mental and physical condition in the long run, ‘he explained.
He acknowledged that the reopening of schools would put pressure on the R-factor, which is the level of transmission of the virus, and could lead to the re-closure of pubs and shops in some areas, but argued that opening schools would not significantly increase the risk for children.
As he explained, there is “overwhelming, clear evidence that the likelihood of children dying from COVID-19 is extremely low,” he added, “there is some evidence that their chances of catching COVID-19 are lower.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants all students to return to school from the beginning of September, arguing that staying home will exacerbate social inequality.
Whitty also expressed concern that an effective and effective vaccine against the coronavirus may not be released until the end of next year, so there may be “real epidemic problems” this winter. “I would, of course, be delighted if the vaccine came sooner rather than later, but I’d be surprised if we had a highly effective vaccine ready for mass use on a significant percentage of the population by the end of winter, and certainly before this Christmas,” Whitty said.
(mzs)
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