Resumption testing is a flexible measure. Campus epidemic prevention can do more

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Written by: Commentary Editing Room

2021-02-05 07:00

Last update date: 2021-02-05 07:00

On Wednesday (3rd), the Education Bureau stated that all kindergartens and primary schools can allow one-third of the students to attend classes after the Lunar New Year holiday. As for secondary schools, one-third of the students can be divided into first and afternoon schools; if the school can arrange the whole school The faculty shall complete the test within 14 days before the resumption of classes and receive regular tests. They can apply to the Education Bureau to resume half-day face-to-face classes.

Although the policy has caused some criticism from the academic community, the objective effect has also given schools the opportunity to choose flexible arrangements and provide a starting point for the resumption of classes under the epidemic.

Schools at all levels have suspended face-to-face teaching since December 2 last year, and it has been more than two months. In addition, the effect of online teaching in some schools is not as good as expected, which will undoubtedly affect the teaching progress.

The Education Bureau has introduced conditions for resuming classes after the new Lunar New Year holidays. From the starting point, it is a good way to create favorable conditions for resuming classes by improving the safety factor.

Schools at all levels have suspended face-to-face teaching since December 2 last year. It has been two months, and the effect of online teaching in some schools is not as good as expected, which will undoubtedly affect the teaching progress.

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Respect for school autonomy and emphasize flexibility

On the other hand, some secondary school principals worry that teachers refuse to be tested, and they do not want to force teachers to do so.

When it is realized, the confirmed cases in Hong Kong are still far from returning to zero. The Education Bureau can encourage schools to give priority to measures to maintain one-third of the students in class instead of rushing to let the whole school resume face-to-face classes.

The Education Bureau can emphasize that the policy of conditional resumption of classes is "giving schools one more choice" to help alleviate the misgivings of academic circles such as labeling effects.

Especially if the effect of online teaching in individual schools is not satisfactory, this kind of "one more choice" is equivalent to allowing them to complete the test and improve the safety factor in exchange for face-to-face courses. The plan is not without benefits.

As for some schools that are worried about the inefficiency of testing and therefore have to make a hasty decision on whether to resume or suspend classes, the Education Bureau should coordinate with the Food and Health Bureau to ensure that the testing and results can be provided to teachers in the most efficient manner.

Testing can be an auxiliary measure to avoid school transmission, but the Education Bureau and schools cannot regard the testing report as a "death-free gold medal."

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Teachers and students individual stay home testing is not the only measure

Of course, faculty testing can theoretically increase the safety factor, but whether it is sufficient to avoid school transmission is not without doubt. The Education Bureau and schools cannot regard the testing report as a "death-free gold medal."

Even if the teacher does not find a confirmed diagnosis, it cannot be understood that the school is not threatened by the epidemic.

For example, Liang Zichao, a specialist in respiratory medicine, pointed out that although the incubation period of the virus is 14 days, the transmission period after the virus is about 7 days. Testing every 14 days may not be able to control the risk of school transmission.

Therefore, the epidemic prevention measures for students to resume classes cannot be limited to this.

As the Secretary for Education Yang Runxiong pointed out, constant testing by all teachers in the school is not all the conditions for resuming classes in the future.

In addition to testing, the Bureau of Education and schools can also follow expert advice. For example, according to the current government-issued building and dining places where the confirmed person lives, arrange for teachers and students with potential exposure risks to stay home voluntarily, or arrange for 14 days Work from home or attend class.

There are many ways to help prevent the epidemic, but if teachers are willing to do so, testing should not be abandoned. Instead, a multi-pronged approach should be taken to reduce the risk of the virus entering the school.

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