What I’m about to day for today’s writing prompt may come across as very controversial, ( nothing new then) if you know me. ‘What’s on your mind right now?’ Is today’s prompt, to be honest it’s the governments around the world, and their lack of listening to science. As schools around the world start to open, parents are constantly being told especially in my part of the world ‘they must go back’, ‘ it’s okay, children have a low risk of catching or passing on Covid-19.’ I don’t actually think that we’re out of the woods with this and safe. Apparently this is not correct, if you listen to the scientific research, rather than what the governments are feeding us parents. I don’t even think the governments around the world are even listening to the research. This is what scares the living hell out of me.

Last night I had a conversation with a friend of mine who is a scientist, and located in Brazil. He pointed out a research paper that was published the day before. A study on the impact of Covid-19 and children since 2019, when the world learned about this virus. I skimmed through it and made sense of the key parts. It’s here on this link https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(20)31023-4/fullte

Can Children Get Covid-19, According to Science?

Yeah, of course and I think we’ve always known this. I remember back in about May- June time, I was reading reports about children in New York who had presented with something that ‘looked’ like Covid-19, according to doctors. But following this, reading the article of research in the above link they most definitely can, do, and have had an illness that attacks them differently. BUT children don’t always show the symptoms and this does NOT stop them from passing it onto others in the household, as there are no symptoms. If there are symptoms then well, basically this just proves that they can catch this deadly virus. Check out the key points here https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(20)31023-4/fulltext

What Does This Mean For Us, as Parents?

Well, in my personal view, I think that as a parent it’s my duty to do what’s best for me and my family. And also listen to the science behind this virus. Governments have a different agenda, completely. All parents need to keep this in mind. The economy and its recovery are their concern. The UK I have heard is now in recession, so of course there is an urge to get kids back to school so parents can work. This works best for the economy and governmental targets, not just in the UK but everywhere. However, this does not work for me and the potential well-being of my family and son.

I’m passing on this information as I want as many parents to be aware, and make well informed decisions. Me personally I was always a little on the fence about sending my son back to school. But after reading this research, on Monday I will be writing to his school to let them know that he will be home-schooled, and ask for work to be sent home. Putting aside the fact that, he and I both have delicate health anyway and would be ‘at risk people’, even if this were not the case, I think it’s best to listen to the science that has been discovered.

So all parents who may read this, I hope this article helps you feel more confident in your decisions, as we approach the new academic year. Yes it’s a pain in the ass, yes not every family can really afford, or have the means to have their children at home, and not every parent is confident to home- school. I am one of the lucky ones, I work at home, I was a school teacher from just over ten years. Home-schooling is a walk in the park for me, that’s the easy part. It’s just not really what I wanna do LOL, but I will do it. For the sake of not tempting fate. Also to allow the class sizes to be smaller, and leave room for those who have to send back their kids in September. Just to keep the numbers down.

Kids can’t social distance, my son for sure can’t. He had a Zoom meeting with his class mates, he kissed the screen. He was so happy to see everyone. My God can you imagine what it will be like when they all get together in person, after not seeing each other in months??

Resources To Help Parents At Home

Here’s a wonderful website I found, it is pack with free resources for home-schooling for all ages. https://www.twinkl.co.uk/ it can be accessed from all countries in a number of languages too. I have made brilliant use of this in June and July.

Parents around the world who may read this I wish you well in whatever decisions you make. I urge you to consider science, and not just be fed what the governments want to give us. You are in control. If you are a parent who is not able to keep your children home, I pray on your children’s return that all is well and they are protected and so are you.