As of February 18th, there are 77 confirmed cases of Covid-19 better known as the Coronavirus, now in Singapore.
The Ministry of Health recently identified more than 2000 individuals who contracted this deadly illness and quickly placed them in quarantine.
So far, more than 50 percent have completed their testing and returned home.
However, out of the 77 cases, 20 are Chinese citizens that entered Singapore on or about Jan 23rd, the time when Chinese authorities imposed a lock-down in the city of Wuhan, this drastic measure was to ensure and prevent the spread of the killer virus.
To date, more than 1,300 people, almost all in China, have died from ‘COVID-19’ aka Coronavirus, the new name coined by the World Health Organization which has infected 72,000 plus people in China alone. Yet, according to WHO, the disease is relatively mild in 80% of its cases and most may recover in full from the virus.
“Most Schools remained open during this period”, says Singapore’s Education Minister Ong Ye Kung.
Health officials stated that they indent to “raise hygiene standards in schools to keep students safe from infection”.
This is in response to parents who made repeated requests to MOE to “close schools in light of the COVID-19 outbreak”.
“The danger of students meeting or gathering within or perhaps outside of school property could spread the virus. When they return home, these same students could pass it on to other family members & friends who in turn, will spread it to their colleagues at work”. A teacher at the local School pointed out.
However, others claim that a “Closure of school would cause a major disruption to parent/guardian lifestyles – they will have to find alternative care or take time off to watch over their children, especially the young ones.
“Whereas in schools, our students are constantly reminded to observe good hygiene practices such as washing hands and avoid touching their faces”. The same source said.
Teaching at home, is it safer?
Parents who have the funds to hire private tutors to teach at home are also taking extra precautions, such as buying hand sanitizers and face masks.
Home tutors in Singapore travel from place to place so they are also advised to wash their hands when they reach their student’s homes.
They are reminded to bring their own hand sanitizers or wet wipes if they cannot find a place to wash their hands. If the tutor is ill, they will postpone the lesson to a later date.
Thus, some parents continue with home tuition during this period, as this has a much lower exposure compared to crowds or classrooms with many students.
All said and done, Singapore’s education system seems to be business as usual, the difference is the extra precautionary steps taken in observing good hygiene practices to combat the Coronavirus.
