After re-reading this article and all of the posts on the thread, it appears that extending the Christmas vacation for a week so that the schools and daycare operations could remain closed to students, might positively affect the outcome of this flu wave.
"Young children have overtaken those aged five to 14 after rates dropped among older children because of the school holidays."
The teachers and administrators could use that week to administer some work at home project(s). While vaccines are 70% effective in the best case scenario, staying away from people who are sick with flu is 100% effective. Of course, the closure can be extended a week at a time pending the disease pattern.
I know the arguments against school closure: 1) It does not decrease disease, it only flattens the curve 2) The schools are an effective "baby sitting" operation and working parents will not go to work if the schools are closed.
As to #1 - Apparently the case load for the hospitals and health care workers is straining, a flattened curve will give an opportunity for better health care delivery
As to #2 - Parents are very resourceful. They can use sick time, vacation time, grandparents, and/or work from home.
The
Population Chart for the UK appears to show that the range for children aged 3 - 15 years is low as a percentage of the total population.
Doesn't it make sense to protect this vulnerable age group?
I know this is not a popular idea amongst government planners, but at FluTrackers we operate this site as parents.
