Louise Gough,with her son Magnus outside Annandale Public School,believes her son is better off at school now than at home.Credit:James Alcock
Ms Gough said the family had been tracking the advice given by the Prime Minister and the Chief Medical Officer Dr Brendan Murphy to keep children at school. She also wanted Magnus to enjoy school,its social life and a semblance of normality for as long as possible.
"Schools are not identified sites of high transmission versus the recent wedding[where many guests were infected]. It is still a low risk,"Ms Gough said. While the family had restricted its movements,Ms Gough said they were probably more at risk of catching the virus as they went to work or were out in the community than their son was at school.
Despite the government's unequivocal advice,the question of whether to withdraw children from campuses is being hotly debated at school gates and in long exchanges on online parent groups.
Polarising views on the topic had become"a line in the sand"which could end friendships,said a parent who wouldn't be identified.
Despite the advice,an estimated 25 per cent of public school children in NSW were absent this week. A four-day-old Facebook page called Home Schooling Due to Virus and School Closures in Australia has 4000 members seeking advice.
Anita Vitanova,the founder of the Inner West Mums group,echoed a popular view.