Parents have something to say about schools reopening

Our readers have their say on quarantine facilities, India-China peace and the prospect of children heading back to school

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES , April 9 – 2020 :- One of the student of FS 2 during the online class at her home in Masakin Al Furjan area in Dubai. All the schools are closed in the UAE as a preventive measure against coronavirus. (Pawan Singh / The National) For News/Online/Instagram.
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With reference to Anam Rizvi's report UAE schools to begin on August 30, says Minister of Education (June 8): this is excellent. Let's get on with it and give our children what they need. I am hoping it is properly back to school.

Alison Rosser, Dubai

Education is a priority, yes, but after health. The schools being reopened elsewhere in the world haven't become positive news yet. So 'let's see' is more like it. As a parent I would be wary of sending my children to school if the situation remains as it is today.

Monika Arora Agarwal, Dubai 

Personally, I believe the children will be fine. I believe the children need to be exposed to the germs to be able to build their immune system. Again, personally speaking, I am more concerned about my child's social and emotional well-being than a vaccine. I believe that we will eventually all get Covid-19 and it will eventually become another form of flu. As I say, these are just my thoughts.

Coralie Scott-Mackie, Dubai 

We need to look at what interventions other countries have successfully adopted to send their children back to school without any spike in numbers or deaths. We need to get our children back into schools. It is essential for their development.

Rebecca Graham, Abu Dhabi 

Not every family has the luxury of a parent or helper at home capable of supporting their children through e-learning. If both parents are working, who helps the children? If one parent stays home and loses their job, who pays the school fees/rent/bills etc? There may never be a vaccine or a cure. Thousands of viruses don't have a cure.
Children/people need each other and social contact to maintain their mental health. Yes, we need to be careful and yes, we need to reduce the spread of the virus. But we also need to learn to live with the virus.

Karen Leach, Abu Dhabi 

Quarantine facility in Abu Dhabi is symbolic of good planning

With reference to the report Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi opens quarantine complex for 10,000 Covid-19 patients (June 7): these are great arrangements and from the video it looks like a good facility.

Nitin Verma, Dubai 

The UAE just gets on and does it without fuss. Very impressive.

Simon Walker, Dubai

Resolution between India and China comes as a relief

In reference to your report India and China seek to 'peacefully resolve' border standoff (June 7): amid the pandemic threat, the border issue between India and China has been a worry in this part of the world. It comes as a relief that there are signs of it being resolved as India has agreed to negotiate through dialogue. Hope both the countries will now resolve the tension that has been brewing and there will be peace in the region.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India