Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 22: The Covid workforce chaired by Dr Devi Shetty formed with regard to the Covid third wave has advised the government to open the schools as the second wave of the pandemic is ding down. The workforce has made its recommendations based on the conditions prevailing in different regions.

The workforce, which examined the current situation of the state from different angles, submitted its interim report containing 17 points covering 91 pages in which preparations for the health system and other issues have been mentioned.

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"The second wave of corona is on the wane. In a few days it may decline further. That might be the right time to reopen the schools. At the same time, close watch will have to be kept on every region. Wherever certain regions show signs of increase in the symptoms, such schools can be temporarily closed," the workforce stated in its report.

The team noted that vaccines for the children are at the trial stage, and once the same are ready, the government can produce the same in bulk and vaccinate the children on priority. Till then, all precautions have to be taken for running the schools. Currently, schools need not be opened in areas where the prevalence of the pandemic is high. They can be opened wherever the infection is low. A work plan can be drawn for the same and the same can be followed, the experts said. They also felt that there is a need to start the classes, even if it means running the schools on alternative days or by shifts of morning and evening batches.

"If a child remains away from learning for a year, it faces problems academically. It will also face challenges in the future. If it stays away from school for a prolonged period of say two to three years, a lot of problems will arise. Therefore, the team said, it should be ensured that the children do not lose their connection with the school," the team of experts said.

The 13-member team of doctors headed by Dr Devi Shetty has paediatricians, oncologists, experts in infectious diseases, etc who have been putting together developments in their sectors. They also have put together information about changes from one wave to the other, effect on the children etc. Preparation of staff and providing training in paediatric ICU, paediatric ventilators, etc. The report also contains some warnings.