New Delhi: Following the Delhi government’s announcement of reopening the schools in a phased process from September 1, medical experts have brought to the fore the fact that children should be treated as unvaccinated individuals.
According to Dr Navneet Wig of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), though children are fed up at home, it is important to look at the risks of attending schools as well.
“We have to weigh the pros and cons. We know that children are fed up at home. But we have to look at risks as well. These children are not vaccinated. Once they go to school, we have to treat them as unvaccinated individuals,” Wig was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
However, Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia assured while addressing a press conference at the Delhi secretariat, that no student will be forced to attend physical classes.
“Social distancing should be strictly followed and no student will be forced to come to the school. Consent of parents will be essential for students to come. If parents do not permit, then students will not be forced to come, they will not be considered absent either,” Sisodia had said.
Dr Wig emphasised the need to keep balance and ensure the test positivity rate remains less than 0.5 per cent while allowing children to attend schools for their physical and mental health, reported the agency.
“We have to save our children. Respiratory hygiene, cleanliness, masks should be ensured in schools,” the doctor was quoted as saying.
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