Last updated on 22-12-2021 by Tinne Lernout
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Published
Authors
Bekkering, Geertruida; Delvaux, Nicolas; Vankrunkelsven, Patrik; Toelen, Jaan; Aertgeerts, Sigrid; Crommen, Sofie; De Bruyckere, Pedro; Devisch, Ignaas; Lernout, Tinne; Masschalck, Katrien; Milissen, Nore; Molenberghs, Geert; Pascal, Annelies; Plomteux, Oscar; Raes, Marc; Rans, Lise; Seghers, Alexandra; Sweldens, Lode; Vandenbussche, Jeroen; Vanham, Guido; Wollants, Elke; Aertgeerts, BertKeywords
Abstract:
Background: In Belgium, schools closed during the first lockdown in March 2020, with a partial reopening in May. They fully reopened in September. During the summer, infections started to increase in the general population, speeding up in September. Some measures were taken to limit social contacts but those were insufficient to mitigate the exponential rise of infections in October. Children were still receiving all lessons at school at that time and it was questioned whether this position was tenable. We systematically compared the benefits and harms of closing primary and secondary schoo…