Danish parents question early reopening of schools

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Denmark has risen to 6,318, while the death toll increased to 285, according to the latest figures from the Statens Serum Institut (SSI), a governmental public health and research institution, on Monday.

Nevertheless, the continuous debate on preparations for the first cautious phase of reopening has gone viral over social media across the country.

As promised by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during a press conference one week ago, daycares, kindergartens and elementary school of 0 to 5 grades, will be reopened from April 15 "if we keep the figures stable."

However, the government's decision seems to have wrong-footed some municipalities.

Out of the country's 98 municipalities, 29 municipalities have either stated on social media or on their websites that they will not be able to reopen on April 15 and may have to wait until next Monday, April 20 as they are obliged to meet health requirements before fulfilling a political decision.

"The guidance from the National Board of Health is very accurate, but it does not always take into account whether schools and institutions can meet all requirements. So that's what we need to be sure of," Carl-Otto Borup, school district leader for three schools in Bronderslev Municipality in North Jutland region, told Denmark's DR TV News on Monday.

Katrine Hald Plesner, a mother of six from Danmark's second-largest city Aarhus, is typical of the camp firmly opposed to the reopening.

Plesner told Xinhua that she would not be "sending any of mine into the unknown," when commenting on the 40,000 strong Danish Facebook page "My child should not be a test rabbit for COVID-19".

"If nobody can promise me 100 percent that my children will not get infected from this, I'm sure not sending any of my children to school!" Plesner noted.

On Instagram, Nadja Harning from Copenhagen supports the decision, saying that there are no reports of deaths among the children from COVID-19 even though schools remain open.

"Why should it be different in Denmark? I'm only asking because I'm sincerely trying to understand the fear that is in society," said Nadia.

In the middle of the debate, are a significant minority of people like Charlotte Jacobsen-Agerholm who are simply confused by the contradictory information and appeal for guidance.

"I really don't want to keep my children at home, but I am not comfortable about sending them back to school either. What should I do?" she asked.