Melbourne doctor Jomini Cheong’s petition to close schools, universities hits 4500 signatures
A Melbourne doctor has called for all schools, universities and large office buildings to be shut to stem the outbreak of COVID-19, with his petition attracting more than 4500 signatures in less than two days.
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A Melbourne doctor is calling for schools and universities to be shut amid the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Jomini Cheong’s change.org petition has garnered more than 4500 signatures in 36 hours and numbers continue to grow.
It comes as Premier Daniel Andrews declared a month-long state of emergency for Victoria, which gives the government sweeping powers to restrict movement, shut down mass gatherings and require returned overseas travellers to self-isolate.
While schools and universities are being asked to restrict lectures and assemblies where more than 500 people would be gathered, they have not yet been forced to close.
In his petition, Dr Cheong called for schools, universities and large office buildings to be closed immediately to “flatten the curve” and help stop the spread of coronavirus.
“From discussions … with my fellow medical and pharmacy colleagues, the impact of COVID-19 is accelerating at an exponential pace,” he said.
“There will be significant economic implications and we do recognise the difficulty of balancing the timing of such a decisions, the problem is we are running out of time.
“News of our hard-hit colleagues in Italy and Europe has given us a chance to act immediately on the very precious extra time that we have to prevent following a similar trend.
“We would urge an acceleration immediately to State 2 and 3 of your relative pandemic plans.”
Thea Bloom wrote: “I’m a medical practitioner in hospitals. We need to get ahead of this pandemic — social distancing, close borders, do whatever is required and do it immediately”.
“We are losing time and it will cost even more lives the longer you stall. You will look back and regret the slow pace we are moving at, of that I am sure.”
Julia Royan wrote: “This is our social and moral obligation. Selfishly, I’d also like an ICU bed available to my loved ones in the coming months should they need it for non-COVID-19 related illnesses”.
Carey Grammar has shut after it was revealed three people, including a student, had tested positive for the virus.
And Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School last night announced the school would close from today due to a confirmed case of coronavirus.
Principal Elisabeth Rhodes said remote learning would take place so students’ studies would not be affected.
“We have been preparing for such a scenario and as such we expect to deliver a meaningful learning program for the students during the closure,” she said.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
WHAT YOUR COUNCIL IS DOING IN RESPONSE
EVENTS CANCELLED, POSTPONED SO FAR
PM TO CHANGE HOSPITALS AS NEW VIRUS TEST ON THE WAY
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said there was “genuine uncertainty” about the effectiveness of school closures.
Professor Sutton said it would risk pulling parents who work in “critical functions’, including healthcare, back home to care for their children.
And with the virus proving to be “extremely mild” for kids under nine, Professor Sutton said there was also uncertainty about whether it would be better for children to be around other pupils their own age at school, or with adults at home.