Doctors are reassuring parents that there has been no increase in the severity of Covid-19 cases among children because of the new variant after rumours abound that the new coronavirus strain which is 70% more transmissible was particularly harmful to children. Their renewed efforts appear after London a hospital matron told BBC Radio 5 Live of having a ward full of children with coronavirus stating that the surge in cases was "much scarier" than the first wave.
While Prime Minister Boris Johnson pulled England into a third national lockdown, Healthcare professionals set about diffusing concerns of anxious parents around the risk of their children catching the virus. Dismissing all such claims, Consultant Paediatrician Dr Prabhu Rajendran, exclusively told Asian Voice, “As of now we are not seeing significant pressure from Covid-19 in children across the UK. So, children are by and large, safe from coronavirus, but still get normal illness during winter. As cases in the community rise there will be a small increase in the number of children who we see can be affected by Covid-19. But the overwhelming majority of children and young people have no symptoms or very mild illness only.
Dismissing rumours about children being infected by coronavirus
“Please do not believe the rumours around the furore about kids being hospitalised with Covid-19. There will obviously be some children admitted with Covid-19 symptoms, but this appears to be the same small number as during the first wave. Schools are safe for kids, but we might have to close them to protect adults/community when the rates are high. So, it is not the increase in the severity of Covid-19 cases among children, because of the new variant; but it is the increase in the rate of transmission.”
There has been an on-going debate around the re-opening of schools even as some reports indicated that schools were the latest Covid-19 hotspots. Education minister Gavin Williamson had also previously stated that he wanted school closures to be as "short as possible" after delaying their re-opening amid surging amid surging coronavirus cases. The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) UK had previously raised concerns about the safety of children going back to schools amid surging Covid-19 infections.
In his letter, earlier last year, Dr Ramesh Mehta OBE, Paediatrician and President of the BAPIO said, “We are extremely worried that as schools reopen, not only BAME children will be exposed to Covid-19 and serious “Multisystem inflammatory syndrome” (MIS) but also BAME teachers and others staff will be exposed to Covid-19 Disease”. We are writing to the Chief Medical Officer and Secretary of State for Education on the urgent need for risk assessment is carried out for all staff and children from BAME backgrounds and given additional protection, until our knowledge of vulnerabilities improves and effective vaccination strategies are implemented. If not, we are likely to see a new dimension in this Covid-19 pandemic.”
Professor Chris Whitty responds to BAPIO’s concerns about BAME children
Responding to their concerns, in his letter addressed to Dr. Ramesh Mehta and Dr. J.S. Bamrah, Professor Chris Whitty, wrote, “As you’ll be aware, it is well documented that a lack of schooling has a significant negative impact on a child’s overall health and wellbeing, as well as their future prospects. In addition, we know that the risk posed to children from Covid-19 is small, with the great majority having only mild or no symptoms at all; this is the view of SAGE and of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health among others. Therefore, it is a priority wherever possible to get children safely back into school this year, following the disruption they faced last academic year. This is probably even more important in disadvantaged groups.”
In the meantime, re-introduction of tough new lockdown measures across England mean schools are now closed to most pupils and GCSE and A-Levels have been cancelled. This has left most parents in a lurch at the last minute as they device new routines around home-schooling and parenting. This is expected to be particularly difficult for working parents especially those in the hospitality industry who are already struggling to keep their businesses afloat amid a series of lockdowns and lost businesses.
Difficulties of home-schooling for working parents
Speaking about the difficulties around home-schooling Mallika Basu, Co-Founder of SIZL said, “I started a food, drink and destination communications consultancy last year and co-founded a spice startup just before the pandemic started. I am also a single mum, who co-parents. To say I woke up feeling a blind sense of panic about home-schooling would be an understatement. School is not childcare, but it certainly helps keep children more than just educated.
“This is an anxious and difficult time for the children too. For them to be stuck at home with anxious parents who are struggling to find time to make ends meet is a double whammy. My heart does go out to teachers who are committed and passionate key workers, now having to completely reimagine education provision. Parents like me should be supported to help Britain "Build Back Better" but sadly, have simply fallen through the cracks.”
Campaigns to scrap GCSEs and A-Levels
While the government has delayed the reopening of secondary schools across most of England by one week for exam-year pupils and two weeks for other school students, the education secretary Gavin William is insisting that higher exams will go ahead as planned. This is despite Scotland and Wales last year announcing the cancellation of GCSE and A-Levels exams in 2021. There are widespread social media campaigns and petitions where pupils are “ramping up the pressure” on the Tory government by emailing their MP and signing the petition, ‘Cancel GCSEs and A Levels in 2021 – which has so far amassed over 203,270 signatures. Principal Kully Uppal headteacher of Bristnall Hall Academy in Oldbury has been fielding a series of questions from pupils since the lockdown was announced and in light of the uncertainty around GCSEs and BTEC exams.
In his statement to Sky News, he said, “Our GCSE students are naturally curious about what the future will hold for them now and what will happen in summer," he said.
"Our message to students and families is clear: the learning must continue and it's not just about getting qualifications but gaining knowledge and equipping the students with the necessary tools to embark on work or training when they leave school."
