Prof. Sunetra Gupta: Let children be exposed to viruses

In an interview with the Evening Standard published last September 3, 2020, Sunetra Gupta, professor of theoretical epidemiology at Oxford says that she welcomes the return of schoolchildren to the classroom. She adds that children will benefit from being exposed to the novel and other seasonal coronaviruses. She says, “evidence is mounting that early exposure to these various coronaviruses is what enables people to survive them”.

Prof. Gupta has been vocal in questioning the over-reliance on the Imperial College London modeling of the coronavirus. She is also well known for her critic of lockdowns due to their huge impact among the poorest. Prof. Gupta reveals that her team has found it difficult to publish in mainstream journals because of her position. She adds, “sadly anything that deviates from the consensus has been met with criticism – not simply of science, but we’ve been labeled as saying things that are dangerous”.

Editor’s Note: Science has shown us that children are generally safe from the complications of COVID-19 [see Overcome the fear: Sign the petition to end lockdowns of children and the youth to read some of the resources pointing to this fact]. Also, Prof. Gupta’s theory is based on science which has been universally accepted for a long time now [see Understanding the immune system of children may be the key to understanding susceptibility to SARS-COV-2]

There is nothing in the science of SARS-CoV-2 that will prevent the reopening of schools [several expert panels have already extended their support for the return of children to classrooms, read Expert panel recommends reopening of schools for young children and children with special needs, Children’s Commission: Children should be back in school, 60+ doctors and educators release statement on the situation of children and adolescents during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Also, see Finland schools reopen successfully, Reopening schools in Denmark did not worsen coronavirus outbreak].