Covid is back with another variant, Omicron and the slowly regained pace of the world is again foggy with so many questions and doubts. The fear of another global surge of Covid-19 cases is sending jitters around the corner, spurring a new round of restrictions. The schools just reopened offline classes are again reconsidering if it is a good idea to call children to attend offline school. Before things go out of hand, it’s time to reanalyze things and reckon the possible effect of the Omicron variant on education infrastructure.
Education sector under the Omicron distress
Two men were tested positive for the Omicron variant of Covid on Thursday, 2nd December in Karnataka. These were the first two cases of the variant in India, and in less than a week the cases have reached 23 in four states Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Rajasthan. This is a matter of concern and can be a projection for the third wave.
While keeping a note of testing, case numbers, and tracing the affected people is one side of the row, the other one has concerns for what should be done to protect the people. When the first two Omicron cases were found in Karnataka, the government imposed some restrictions delaying the functions and gatherings in schools and universities for two months. And with the rising number of cases, new restrictions have been announced. The Karnataka government has announced that the children of only vaccinated parents (both doses) are allowed to attend offline classes. But the concern does not end at restrictions, the prominent question here is whether continuing offline classes should be the case for kids who are not vaccinated even with a single dose and under the radar of infection more than adults or any other part of society. And in such circumstances, closing schools once again makes the education sector back to where it was months ago.
What can be done? Is my child safe?
The schools started taking classes offline after a very long time. Although online education was playing its part, the actual crux of learning was missing. Slowly and steadily, children were back to school but the new variant has spoiled the growth and has pushed parents back to the corner of doubt and fear.
Revenue minister R Ashoka said after a meeting that the Omicron-induced diseases are milder and not as fatal as reported unofficially. The center has asked the NCBS – National Centre for Biological Sciences to prepare a detailed report after which the impact of variants can be known.
Well, it is too early to decide and come to a conclusion that the Omicron variant is more deadly or dangerous. WHO and GlaxoSmithKline and various scientists have found the Covid vaccine to be seemingly effective against the new variant and there is no evidence that it is more fatal than other Covid variants. WHO earlier labeled Omicron as a mutation variant of serious cases has now said that vaccines are likely to protect against the most severe cases. WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan tweeted that vaccination and public health measures can combine an effective strategy against the Omicron variant.
Is the variant severe for kids?
Dr. H.K. Mahajan, Anaesthesiologist at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, Vasant Kunj said that as the Omicron variant is concerned, there is no hazard to children as people are panicking. But as a country, we are prepared as we have sufficient pediatric wards and pediatricians and needed infrastructure.
Besides, there is a lot of evidence that says it is too soon to worry about the severe impact of the Omicron variant, it cannot be taken lightly too. The decision of the Karnataka government to allow children whose parents have taken both doses of vaccination is well thought out and other states need to take their steps towards the safety of children. As of now social distancing, encouraging wearing masks, and getting vaccinated (for those who haven’t) is the need of the hour. And the people who are feeling sick are encouraged to be at home and parents to take special care of their wards especially if they are sending them to school.
Omicron variant on education infrastructure– The precautions
If the online classes are an option, it will be great to consider that as the holiday season is approaching and along the same the need to emphasize on taking precautions becomes more essential than ever. As of now, the circumstances of sending the child to school is more or less the same as it was when schools reopened. But since the Omicron variant is out in India, it is better to be safe than at risk.
The admissions to the new session have already begun and most of the schools have made the process online. While parents are afraid to send their children to school, it can be the right decision considering the present situation. What will be the effect of the Omicron variant on education infrastructure can be a matter of discussion only after its analysis is completely done. As of now, parents are encouraged to take all precautions and encouraged for online classes and once things go back to normal, they can send their kids to school.