No passing notes, no spreading diseases.

In one Norwegian school, half of the day is spent in a local park.

On the French-Belgium border, one primary school encourages children to stay within a chalk circle drawn on the floor during their break time.

In Daejeon, South Korea, high school students sit at desks surrounded by see-through plastic barriers.

Across the EU, 22 countries have now allowed schools to reopen. There has not been any sign of a major second waveThe idea that the virus will spread across the population again at a later date, causing even more devastation. This is what happened with the Spanish Flu in 1918., though 70 schools in France have had to shut again because of Covid-19.

In the UK, 11 councils have expressed concerns about the speed at which schools are being asked to reopen. A cabinet minister said that the government was taking those worries "very seriously".

Despite several thousand new cases of the coronavirus being recorded each day, the government plans to reopen Reception, Year 1, and Year 6 classes on 1 June.

This has led to many parents and teachers feeling nervous about putting themselves or their children at risk.

Indeed, teacher's unions have pushed back against these plans calling them "reckless" and "premature".

In retaliationCounter-attack., the Daily Mail branded such cautiousness "militantFavouring confrontational or violent methods in support of a political or social cause." and called on teachers to be "heroes".

But what do the experts think?

In the Italian town of Vo, almost everyone was tested for the coronavirus. In total, 2.6% of the population had caught the virus. Despite this, not a single child tested positive - including those who were living with infected adults.

Research by a lecturer at the Newcastle University found that across children in the UK, USA, France, Spain, Italy, and South Korea, there had been just 43 recorded Covid-19 deaths - fewer than 0.2% of total deaths for that age group. In the words of the researcher, "The main reason we are keeping children at home is to protect adults."

However, keeping schools closed might create another set of harms for the children themselves.

Lee Hudson, the head of mental health at Great Ormond Street HospitalOne of the world's leading children's hospitals. It is located in central London and was opened in 1852. Royalties from the book Peter Pan help support the work of the hospital., says, "Schools are a vital part of the provision of safeguardingMeasures that protect the health, well-being, and human rights of individuals - especially children, young people, and vulnerable adults. children and families. After all, around 20% of social service referrals come from schools."

The founder of the Sutton Trust, a social mobilityA person's ability to move between classes. In 2013, more than 161,000 people took part in the Great British Class Survey, which revealed that there are seven classes in Britain, ranging from the 'elite' down to the 'precarious proletariat.' charity, said the lockdown is "really hurting children in moderate and low-income households".

Yes. Children are the least likely to be affected by Covid-19 and deserve to be learning around their friends. The mental well-being of young people is important. Of course, as one doctor says, "A zero-risk approach is not possible." But life is full of dangers. Sacrificing the social and mental development of a generation seems riskier than a few children catching a virus that barely affects them.

No. There is no rush. So long as the virus is circulating, there is a chance of a second wave. Maintaining social distancing will be incredibly challenging, especially when it comes to younger children. Why send everyone back now? Teachers, parents, and pupils are all a little scared. The summer holidays are just round the corner. Let us focus on defeating the virus, then aim to go back to normal in September.