Could There Conceivably Be A More Contentious Issue?

"It has never been 100 percent safe to send children to school. There's always been a risk of contracting some infectious disease, whether it's the flu, the Norovirus or other viruses."
"Children are at risk of being injured ... and suffering mental and physical harm from bullying."
"But of course we can manage these risks and put mitigating factors in place to deal with them. This is exactly the kind of approach we have to take now."
Dr.Ronald Cohn, CEO, Sick Children's Hospital, Toronto

Experts say recent data shows children are not the super-spreaders of COVID-19 they initially believed they would be. (Erik White/CBC)

The conundrum of all the most difficult choices any society could possibly face; how best to safeguard the nation's children from the opportunistic clutches of a new, mysterious disease that has wrought havoc the world over, and still allow those children to experience as normal a childhood and education opportunities as possible? There is never any complete agreement on any issue; there are always supporters and detractors of perceived solutions, and in this instance there are both, as might be expected.

Canada's largest and most prestigious hospital specializing in care for children has issued a new report, one that the country will look upon as an instruction manual on how to proceed in re-opening classrooms at every level of education, and at the same time exercise due caution in the interests of protecting one of the most vulnerable demographics in any society. The report emphasizes the need to return children to the classroom if for no other reason, aside from attaining an age-appropriate education, than to continue their socialization and ensure sound mental health ensues.

The advice contained in the report will of necessity be a surprise to some and disturbing to others, while being greeted as a welcome solution by yet others. Greater incidents of infection could be a result of requiring students to wear face masks; separating children while they socialize outside the classroom would result in negative psychological effects, although maintaining a discreet distance between student desks is advanced, along with the cancellation of assemblies.

Jurisdictions in East Asia, as an example, the first to be confronted with the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19, took an entirely different, infinitely more rigidly protective view on how to manage the safety of children returning to school following the first wave of the global pandemic. Hospital experts in Toronto informed a virtual news conference with the release of the report that children have suffered anxiety, depression and loneliness, facing a heightened risk of family discord and abuse throughout the lockdown period.

 SickKids  report warns against stringent measures Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

Those same experts stressed that the psychological benefits of resuming in-person classes in the coming usual school fall resumption period outweigh COVID-19 risks, particularly in alignment with frequent handwashing and ensuring that ill children remain at home. According to an Australian report on the experience of reopening schools, few cases of the coronavirus were found among students, with no evidence of students being a vector for adult infection: "Children are not the primary drivers of COVID-19 spread".

"That seems like the easiest of wins, especially for older kids; [urging public health authorities to decree mask use in certain public places mandatory as a key practise in curbing the spread of the virus]."
"My nieces are 11 and 13. They live in Massachusetts. They are required to mask. It's not a big deal."
"This whole document reeks of the kind of laissez-faire approach that got us into trouble with long-term care facilities and which now has Sweden in so much trouble."
"The complete lack of thought given to the role schools may play in amplifying disease that kills adults is just astounding."
"If you wanted to create super-spreader events, the way to do it would be to gather large groups indoors and have them sing, as this document appears to countenance."
Dr.David Fisman, head, epidemiology division, school of public health, University of Toronto

 Virtual learning could be offered for immunosuppressed. (Juliya Shangarey/Shutterstock)

"In young children in particular, masks can be irritating and may lead to increased touching of the face and eyes which could increase the risk of infection."
"Strict physical distancing should not be emphasized to children in the school setting as it is not practical and could cause significant psychological harm."
"Close interaction, such as playing and socializing, is central to child development and should not be discouraged."
Sick Children's Hospital Report

Children, emphasizes Dr.Cohn, despite earlier indications, do not seem to be "super-spreaders" of COVID-19. It seems more evident on the other hand that it is adults who tend to infect young people. Schools, in his considered opinion, are not at all likely to become a significant amplifier of COVID-19. Recent research appears to downplay the potential of children being major vectors for the coronavirus. British scientists produced a paper citing family clusters of cases indicating children to rarely be recognized as the instigator: "At the current time, children do not appear to be super-spreaders".

"[Keeping children out of school has already caused] significant adverse consequences."
"Parents are telling me their children are struggling with the lack of routine and structure."
"Children are sad, irritable, clingy and lonely."
Dr.Catherine Birken, pediatrician

"We are working closely with the best medical and scientific leaders in Canada -- including the Hospital for Sick Children and the COVID-19 Command Table -- to develop health protocols that keep our schools safe."
"We will take a cautious approach that underscores our complete commitment to safety."
Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce

Dr. Michelle Science says steps should be taken to ensure some physical distancing in schools, but trying to enforce safe distances among kids is impractical. (Ben Nelms/CBC)