School principals and ICU nurse warn children their actions could put others lives at risk from coronavirus

Four school principals have made a joint plea to stop children in their area from potentially hastening the spread of coronavirus as a local nurse issues a stark warning.

Children congregating at the Albany Creek Skate Park could spread coronavirus, warns a local nurse.

Four school principals have been forced to urge parents to stop their children socialising and playing together in a bid to protect them, and the rest of the community, from coronavirus.

The principals of Eatons Hill, Albany Creek and Albany Hills state schools, and Albany Creek State High School, sent a letter to parents yesterday, a day after a local intensive care unit (ICU) nurse pleaded with the community to take social distancing seriously.

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“Healthcare workers are scared about what is about to happen to our hospitals,” the nurse said in a post on a community Facebook page.

Eatons Hill State School principal Hugh Goodfellow told his school community: “We have never chosen to issue a joint communique such as this before but believe the seriousness of the current COVID-19 situation warrants our combined voice.”

In the letter, the principals said some children might be confused because they could socialise at school.

But, they said, Monday’s closure of social venues such as pubs, clubs and restaurants sent a clear message that social contact must be avoided where possible.

“We recommend that children should not be visiting the park, skate parks or shopping centre on their own or in groups,” their letter said.

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The intensive care nurse issued a plea to parents to keep their children at home.

“Drove past the Albany Creek skate park approx 5pm this evening to see it full of kids riding scooters and skateboards. What do parents NOT understand about social distancing,” the nurse posted.

“Why are you putting my health/life and that of my colleagues at risk just so that your kids can go and blow off some steam in the skate park,” she said.

In a press conference today, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described coronavirus as “the biggest health crisis our country has experienced”.

“It’s going to be the likes we have never seen in Queensland before,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The images we are seeing overseas, we are not immune to them.

She said it was important to give hospitals a “fighting chance to save lives”.

“Everyone can make a difference.

“Stay at home as much as possible.”