However the general advantages can be small, provided that when youngsters get sick with COVID-19, they’re at low danger of extreme sickness, he stated.
“It’s a fallacy that youngsters are a significant method that COVID spreads,” Collignon stated.
“That’s true for influenza – they’ve a 4 or 5 occasions greater fee of an infection than adults. However that’s not true for COVID. For COVID, it’s 20 to 40-year-olds – their dad and mom – who’ve all the time had it extra typically than their youngsters.“
Chair of epidemiology at Deakin College Catherine Bennett stated the price of mask-wearing to college students’ studying can be vital, and the intervention must be grounded in good high quality analysis.
“What proof have they got to encourage faculties to go this path? It would make a small distinction, however is that small distinction going to be definitely worth the influence on children’ schooling?”
Bennett stated she was sceptical in regards to the high quality of modelling underpinning the coverage and known as for it to be made public.
Professor Catherine Bennett, chair of epidemiology at Deakin College, is sceptical that mask-wearing in faculties is price the price.Credit score:Jason South
The character of the present outbreak was troublesome to trace, she stated, given the combo of various variants and danger of reinfection in an “immune-escape surroundings”.
“It’s an entire totally different illness dynamic, and it’s nonetheless being handled as the identical form of progress fee,” she stated.
Melbourne College epidemiologist Tony Blakely stated mask-wearing in faculties was a smart measure to assist flatten the curve and forestall hospitals from being overrun.
“The height, if we do nothing, goes to go above what our well being providers can handle, so we have to dampen it,” he stated.
Nonetheless, he agreed with Collignon and Bennett {that a} traditional cost-benefit evaluation confirmed the advantages have been marginal in contrast with the prices to colleges and college students.
Each Thomas and Schooling Minister Natalie Hutchins stated the altered messaging on mask-wearing on Monday evening was “not a change in coverage” however reasonably an try to make sure households have been conscious of the well being minister’s suggestions as respiratory sickness circumstances enhance in Victoria.
“I believe the messages have been clear and so they’ve been very properly taken up by the schooling system,” Thomas stated.
Impartial College Victoria advisable to its member faculties final week that masks be worn within the classroom.
College workers are additionally anticipated to put on masks besides in “instructing circumstances when clear communication” is required.
College Principals Affiliation president Andrew Dalgleish stated he had “completely no thought” what number of youngsters can be sporting masks in lecture rooms by Wednesday.
“As you’ve seen this morning, we’re caught in a catch-22 scenario,” he informed 3AW’s breakfast radio present.
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“When masks have been mandated final yr, individuals have been up in arms. Whereas it’s not a mandate, individuals are saying, ‘properly we shouldn’t be forcing the sporting of masks’. However we’re not; we’re actively encouraging individuals to take an motion that we all know will minimise the unfold of this illness [COVID-19].”
The recommendation got here as Thomas reiterated it was “strongly advisable” individuals put on masks indoors and in crowded locations, however stated there can be no mandate.
On Tuesday, Thomas informed ABC’s Mornings With Virginia Trioli that the state authorities wanted to offer dad and mom the “info to make their very own choice”.
“The perfect device is info. We have to take our time and proceed to coach and clarify to these dad and mom who’re involved about mask-wearing why it really works,” she stated.
“What I’ve seen is a further take-up of mask-wearing over the previous week or so, as individuals are informing themselves and studying in regards to the present wave of the Omicron virus.”
Victorian Well being Minister Mary-Anne Thomas denies the up to date suggestions are a change in coverage.Credit score:Joe Armao
She stated the heads of Victoria’s college techniques determined to ship the letter to folks and weren’t directed to take action by the Division of Schooling.
Blakely stated he would strongly assist the identical messaging for workplaces and lambasted state and federal governments as “lacking in motion” as a consequence of their lack of public well being messaging not too long ago and of enforcement of mask-wearing on public transport.
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Victorian Opposition Chief Matthew Man stated the varsity masks recommendation had created “whole confusion” and there ought to have been a well being consciousness marketing campaign on COVID-19 earlier than the anticipated Omicron wave hit.
“One minute they are saying there are not any mandates, and the subsequent minute they’re advising children to put on masks. What’s it?” he stated.
“If we have been going to have issues over winter – and we knew there can be – then why not have a marketing campaign round COVID security earlier than winter.”
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