Hong Kong closed schools. Singapore did not. hardly any diff in transmission
washingtonpost.com
washingtonpost.com
I live in Sweden, with preschoolers. Unlike in neighboring Norway and Denmark, the preschools and elementary schools have not closed down.
According to https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/smittskydd-beredskap/utb... under "Varför stänger vi inte för- och grundskolorna i Sverige?" (Why don't we close pre- and elementary schools in Sweden?)
> We believe that it is not at present a meaningful measure to close all schools in Sweden. There are no scientific studies showing that such a measure would have any significant significance. Also, there are no data pointing to any major spread of covid-19 in schools anywhere in the world.
> Closing preschools and primary schools would also have negative consequences for the rest of society. For example, many parents who work in healthcare and other socially important functions would need to stay home with their children. It could also lead to vulnerable groups, such as grandparents, helping to care for the children.
That said, the interview with Christian Drosten in Die Zeit (linked from HN) at https://www.zeit.de/wissen/gesundheit/2020-03/christian-dros... points out:
> ZEIT ONLINE: The country is grinding to a halt. Daycare centers and schools have been closed nationwide as of this week. Is the government reacting appropriately at the moment?
> Drosten: Few of the decisions made in recent days were purely evidence-based. Many were political, and certainly correct. ...
> ZEIT ONLINE: It is said that you played a central consultative role in the decision to close schools. Was it the correct decision to do so now?
> Drosten: I don't know. It probably won't be clear until later whether it was the right time to do this. ... I don't see my job as condensing the truth, but as explaining aspects of the truth and allowing for uncertainties and saying, 'We don't know' – which makes a political decision necessary. And as long as it's communicated as a political decision, I think that's fine.