In some federal states, the summer holidays will soon be over. Parents and teachers are already asking themselves: What will the coming Corona autumn look like in schools? Pediatrician Jörg Dötsch classifies the current situation.
The incidences are already high, much higher than in the summer of a year ago. With regard to autumn, these numbers do not bode well: students, parents and teachers have to fear that with the colder temperatures in a few weeks, masks, tests and homeschooling could become part of everyday life again.
However, most experts agree that school closures should no longer be an option. Lockdowns and months of homeschooling have not only led to immense learning deficits for many school children; The psychological effects of the pandemic measures on children and young people will probably also be with us for years to come.
That is why paediatricians like Jörg Dötsch emphasize how important it is that schools remain open – so that children and young people can meet and exchange ideas there.
Dötsch is President of the German Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, a member of the Federal Government’s Corona Expert Council and heads the children’s department of the University Hospital in Cologne. In an interview with “Welt” he explains how school operations can be secured in autumn and winter. In any case, mass tests in schools are a thing of the past for Dötsch:
“Random testing is currently of no use. Otherwise, given the high incidence, we would have to send too many students home. That must not happen. Tests should only be carried out if a child has symptoms. Only if school operations are seriously endangered or if a more dangerous variant is circulating , tests should play a role again in schools.”
Dötsch also does not consider ventilation devices in the classrooms to be absolutely necessary. He pleads for regular ventilation, possibly with tools: “In view of the energy crisis, it is best to use a CO2 meter to check when and for how long ventilation is required. This way you know when the windows need to be opened, but also when can close it again.”
The pediatrician would only use masks if classes could no longer be maintained due to a more severe variant or extreme illness. “But the possibility of reintroducing the obligation to wear masks should be kept open.”
When asked what would help to secure face-to-face classes, Dötsch said: “Vaccinate, of course.” Stiko has a clear recommendation for children over the age of five. According to estimates, 80 percent of school children have already had an infection and the risk from the disease is low anyway. Vaccination can still provide them with good hybrid protection against serious illness. For all children over the age of 12, the recommendation is two vaccinations, one booster. “A fourth vaccination is not up for debate for young people,” said Dötsch.
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