Children may be less likely to fall ill with coronavirus, but they are acutely vulnerable to the wider effects of the pandemic. It has become clear as Covid-19 has spread across the world that children account for a very small proportion of reported cases. However, the decision as to when schools should reopen cannot be based solely on estimates of the transmission rate. It may be that the risk of increased virus transmission will keep their doors closed for some time. But any such decision must also weigh up the harm that is done by keeping our children at home.

Source: The Irish Times May 14, 2020 16:30 UTC