@JaneCaro @auspol #covid19aus @DrZoeHyde think we need to be very careful here, the political strategy is…

@JaneCaro @auspol #covid19aus @DrZoeHyde think we need to be very careful here, the political strategy is very cunning from conservative politicians. Interest declared, my wife is a teacher, and I once was too, so a real interest in getting this right. /1 https://t.co/5zuQi95Ddd

Of course teachers are essential workers. But we need to be EXTREMELY careful about the narratives here. The justification for health care staff getting early jabs for example, as essential workers, is that they *will* be exposed to infection. /2

THE NSW Education Minister this morning said teachers are essential because once they're vaccinated it will mean schools can continue to operate. It's abundantly clear that Australia is currently planning to allow children to become infected. Teachers need jabs because.../3

...they'll be exposed to these infected students. The virus will be allowed to circulate in schools. Not one journalist I've heard has asked this basic question, to politicians - will children be allowed to become infected? /4

The Premier repeatedly says 'schools are safe', but parents dropping kids off and picking them up is dangerous. Clearly implying again that the virus is no threat to children. This is early-2020 nonsense, completely at odds with subsequent events and research. /5

Children get infected as easily as adults. Schools then drive community transmission. They're lethal when virus is circulating. Children get sick, some very sick, some even die. Australians must demand clear undertakings that children will not be allowed to become infected. /6

Both for their health, and the control of the pandemic within the community. /end