Victorian schoolchildren are once more being instructed to wear masks in class as Bill Shorten backs the practise.
Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, teachers have ordered all students over the age of eight to wear masks in class until the end of the winter.
The new recommendation, which encourages pupils to wear a mask indoors and on public transportation, is not a mask mandate, the state government has stressed.
Bill Shorten, a former leader of the Labor Party, stated that as a parent, he thinks children should be encouraged to wear masks wherever possible.
During an interview on the Today Show on Tuesday morning, he said to Karl Stefanovic, “We’ve had 300 days of home-schooling and the schools closed.”
Do you want your child to be sick at home or do you want them to be running around with a mask on? To me, it is a no-brainer.
Mr. Shorten merely remarked, “We know it’s beneficial for them,” in response to Stefanovic’s question on how the children felt about having to wear masks.
However, after receiving a letter informing them of the new guidelines, other parents have referred to the new regulations as a “mandate by stealth.”
It stated, “From now until the end of winter, we are requesting all pupils aged eight and over and all staff in all schools across Victoria to wear masks in class (unless where removing a mask is necessary for clear communication).
Children “won’t be obliged or expected to wear masks when outdoors,” according to the letter, which was signed by the leaders of the state, independent, and Catholic sectors.
According to a government source who spoke to the Herald Sun, pupils who disobeyed the new advice would not be sent home or made to wear a mask.
No one is being sent anywhere; everything is still up to people, they claimed.
Although masks are not required, Natalie Hutchins, the minister of education, said they are highly advised for use indoors by both students and staff.
We highly advise all staff and kids aged 8 and older to wear masks indoors at school even though they are not required because we know they offer effective protection against the transmission of COVID-19, the official said.
The Victorian Department of Health strongly advises wearing face masks indoors, according to the letter that was delivered to parents.
The message adds, “We are asking for your assistance in explaining to your child or youngsters the necessity of this straightforward step that will help make our schools as secure as possible.”
We also ask that you make sure your child (or children) either picks up a mask when they get to school or brings one with them to school (and wears it if they are using public transportation).
“We all recognise how crucial it is for students to return to class.
By taking this action, you may ensure that as many students and employees as possible are safeguarded against COVID-19 and other winter infections.
According to Covid figures, 6,000 of Victoria’s 29,000 ongoing cases involve children and teenagers under the age of 19.
Critics assert that the impending state elections in October and November are the primary cause of any delay in bringing back mask mandates, despite the fact that both the NSW and Victorian health ministers have so far resisted the mounting clamour for their restoration.
Ben Cowie, the chief health officer for Victoria, advised the state government to reintroduce masks, but state health minister Mary-Anne Thomas disregarded the suggestion.
“I decided that further mandating masks was not the most effective method to get the message out about the need of mask wearing,” she added. “I took this choice based on the information that I had received.”
However, some parents are opting to disregard judgments made by the state government and adhere to the health minister’s recommendations.
Ben Cowie, the chief health officer for Victoria, advised the state government to reintroduce masks, but state health minister Mary-Anne Thomas disregarded the suggestion.
“I decided that further mandating masks was not the most effective method to get the message out about the need of mask wearing,” she added. “I took this choice based on the information that I had received.”
However, some parents are opting to disregard judgments made by the state government and adhere to the health minister’s recommendations.
The statistics also showed that with 2,971,525 cases and 3,798 fatalities, NSW had the most COVID-19 instances in Australia.
Victoria had 4,148 fatalities out of 2,245,301 cases, which was the most.
The number of COVID-19 test results since the epidemic started has just reached the 75 million mark in the country, or approximately three for every single person.
With 3,121,953 cases to date, the vast majority of persons who have contracted COVID-19 are under 50. Since the pandemic started, just 293 persons under 50 have passed away from the virus.
According to the data, since Australia started its mass immunisation campaign, the likelihood that someone under 50 will pass away from COVID-19 is fewer than one in 10,000.
Men and women over the age of 80 made up the majority of Covid victims, accounting for 7,585 of the nation’s 10,582 virus-related fatalities as of Friday at 3 p.m.