UK Health Advisor: Lesson Is Far More Dangerous Than COVID-19

JAKARTA - The United Kingdom's Chief Health Advisor said children should return to school immediately after this summer vacation. He warned that children who are left behind in education are more dangerous than contracting COVID-19.

The statement was rarely made by the top health advisors in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Reuters reported. The statement also supported British Prime Minister (PM) Boris Johnson who said getting children back to school was a national priority.

Last week the government's conviction to reopen schools during the COVID-19 pandemic peaked. The UK suffered a national scoring disaster after an automated algorithm lowered the A-Levels of nearly 40 percent of students who were unable to take exams due to COVID-19. Education Minister Gavin Williamson is forced to reverse test scores.

“Very few, if any, children or young people will experience any long-term harm from COVID-19 just because they go to school. This (back to school) must be established immediately because of the certainty of the long-term dangers for many children and youth from not attending school, "said an official statement from the UK Government.

Evidence suggests that a lack of children to attend school increases inequality, takes away many opportunities, and can exacerbate physical and mental health problems. The statement also shows that there is clear evidence of a very low rate of severe disease in children. Even if children catch COVID-19, the risk of dying is very low.

"The percentage of symptomatic cases requiring hospitalization is estimated at 0.1 percent for children aged 0-9 and 0.3 percent among those aged 10-19. This is smaller than the hospitalization rate of more than 4 percent in the UK population. general, "the statement explained.

PM Johnson said the government would reopen schools in September. Opening schools is a must both socially, economically and morally. He also insisted that school activities can run safely despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Control measures such as hand and surface hygiene, grouping to reduce the number of daily contacts, and targeted controls to reduce face-to-face contact remain key elements for maintaining a safe school environment from COVID-19 and minimizing risks," said the official statement.