Schools are not safe. Re-opening them anyway breaches children's rights & exposes them to unacceptable risk

My article in today's Indo👇https://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/expert-advice-on-reopening-schools-defies-rights-and-puts-children-at-risk-41219699.html

"The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) states that the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children (Article 3) and that all the rights guaranteed by the UNCRC must be available to all children without discrimination (Article 2).

Enshrined within the convention is the right to access education, safety, health and life. Ms Foley’s failure to provide airborne mitigations disproportionately impacts disabled and immunocompromised children (or children within immunocompromised families), denying them the right to safely access education.

Some of them have been shielding for 22 months, waiting for schools to be made safe. 

Children also have the right to be heard. In a heartfelt letter to Ms Foley, 17-year-old Sadhbh Ryan described “dreading” going into the school she “loves” due to “unbearable temperatures” (14 degrees), preventing her from concentrating, with “fingers so numb” she can’t feel them.

She pleaded with Ms Foley to install Hepa filters in every classroom in Ireland so “we can finally enjoy school again”.

Every child has a right to be educated in a safe environment without having to choose between contaminated air and frostbite. Nphet’s expert group on ventilation recommended Hepa filters for schools in March last year. Why has this been ignored?"