Boitumelong Early Learning Centre raises awareness about Coronavirus
ALEXANDRA – Mbenenge said the flu-like respiratory illness has not been reported in Africa and South Africa and asked parents not to panic.
Local early childhood learning centre, Boitumelong hosted its first meeting of the year with parents to share this year’s academic plans and keep them abreast with new developments at the school.
In a slight deviation from normal proceedings, centre manager Nokulunga Ncube saw it fitting to use the opportunity to raise awareness about the deadly Coronavirus outbreak which started in the city of Wuhan, China and was recently declared by the World Health Organisation a public health emergency of international concern.
The school invited health expert Doctor Nhlanhla Mbenenge of the University of Witwatersrand and practising doctor at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital to share much-needed information about the virus with parents and children.
Mbenenge said the flu-like respiratory illness had not been reported in Africa and South Africa and urged parents not to panic.
“Coronavirus is real and it has killed more than 900 people in China where it was first reported,” he said. “It is a flu-like virus that cannot be cured with antibiotics because it is a virus, not bacteria. Last time I checked, there was no medication that is able to kill the virus.
He added that the least one could do was to treat it like a flu-related sickness by ensuring that you wash hands at all times and drink enough water. “If a cure has been found the correct message will be communicated through legitimate media platforms. You shouldn’t pay attention to those messages circulating on social media and through Whatsapp.”
Meanwhile, the school also announced that it would introduce French as a subject to children from the age of four to equip them for the world of globalisation.
Related article:
