Chris Hipkins is either very, very stupid or very, very brave. My money is on the stupid. He’s stated very publicly that schools, universities, polytechnics and early-childhood centres are “very, very safe places” to be, despite the coronavirus pandemic:
Schools, universities, polytechnics and early-childhood centres are “very, very safe places” to be despite the coronavirus pandemic, with the Education minister confirming there are no firm plans to close them.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday that gatherings of at least 500 people were banned, prompting a cascade of event cancellations across the country.
Schools and universities were exempt from the decision, with Ardern saying specific advice on how those institutions would contribute to stamping out Covid-19 would be delivered by the Ministry of Education.
Speaking on Tuesday, Minister Chris Hipkins said schools had been asked to “consider their practices” by choosing not to have gatherings like school assemblies, but right now there was no need to close them.
“We’ve also got to keep in mind that transmission rates internationally amongst young people are very, very low. School-aged students are not the target population, if you like.
“At the moment, there is no scientific reason for school closures,” Hipkins said.
Instead, he encouraged parents to continue sending their children to school, as it was “a very, very safe place for them to be”.
Those words will hang Chris Hipkins. Whilst young people aren’t as susceptible to Covid-19 they can still be carriers and schools are known germ pits. Those kids will go on to infect parents, grandparents etc.
One of the first things South Korea did was close schools. They all closed on February 26 and remain closed. It was a wise and sensible thing to do. Other countries have also closed schools. Chris Hipkins is the exact opposite of wise and sensible. What makes him think that New Zealand should be the exception to that advice?
My prediction is that schools will be closed inside a month from now, probably sooner. Then hopefully some journalists will be able to ask the Education Minister how long it will be before he resigns because of his stupid and ill-considered statement.
UPDATED: Hipkins proved wrong within 24 hours
Stuff reports on New Zealand’s 12th case.
A Dunedin school will close for at least 48 hours after a student tested positive for coronavirus.
Ministry of Health director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield confirmed on Tuesday another three cases, from the existing eight. A fourth has now been confirmed by Logan Park High School in a message to parents.
A Dunedin man, in his 40s, began to develop symptoms five days after returning from Europe, so there was no risk to others on the plane, Bloomfield said. He is now recovering at home in self isolation.
His child, a student at Logan Park, also had symptoms, along with another family member.
An email to parents from the Southern District Health Board (SDHB) on Tuesday evening said the student had tested positive for coronavirus.
Perhaps Chris Hipkins might like to at least apologise.
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