This morning, students began returning to their classes. Aside from tuition fees in pounds and dollars, the prices of books and stationery, along with school uniforms, the question arises: what about COVID-19? Will there be measures in place this year?
The principal of a private school stated, through the "Akhbar Al-Yawm" agency, that we have adapted to COVID-19 and have largely abandoned masks in most places, questioning their necessity in schools, especially since they were uncomfortable for both students and teachers, although we had to use them.
Regarding measures, she noted that as of now—and despite the fact that private school students will be returning to class by the end of next week—no protocol has been issued by the Ministry of Education. She added that anyone who contracts COVID-19 experiences no panic or fear; they simply stay at home for no more than four or five days and then return to class as normal.
When asked about masks, she replied that it is up to the parents or the students themselves, pointing out that most schools organized summer camps without any reported infections. She concluded, saying that we treat COVID-19 like the flu.
However, this optimistic view is met with caution from former health committee president, MP Assem Araji, who explained through "Akhbar Al-Yawm" that in the autumn season, as temperatures shift from hot to cold and people return to enclosed spaces, viruses—especially respiratory ones, including COVID-19—become more active. He stated that at the beginning of the school year, from September to October, there might not be widespread infection, but caution is needed afterward.
In response to a question, Araji clarified that in every country worldwide, measures have been significantly relaxed as the severity of symptoms has diminished, particularly among those who have received the necessary vaccinations. He added, however, that in medical terms, there is always a fear of a new variant emerging, as viruses are in constant mutation.
Regarding measures in schools, Araji mentioned that if school administrations find that children can no longer tolerate wearing masks, they should at least enforce social distancing of a meter between students and minimize interactions whenever possible. He recommended wearing masks on buses, given that students sit close to one another. He concluded that if someone contracts the virus, they must stay home for a week.
Additionally, sources from the Ministry of Education clarified, through "Akhbar Al-Yawm," that they adhere to directives issued by the Ministry of Health, which, in turn, follows the recommendations of the World Health Organization for communities and schools, emphasizing that no health regulations for the school year have been issued thus far.
