MonkeyBoy wrote:

> Some schools contend that if classes are canceled, students go
> out in public, further spreading the disease.

And they are right. Students from affected schools are being discouraged 
from doing "arubaito", etc., for the same reason.

> Right there they attempt to rationalize the idea that even if
> students were sick, it's not only acceptable, but actually
> preferable to have them attend school.

I don't think any school is saying that. No school wants infected 
students in the classroom, and all schools will be warning anyone who 
might even possibly have symptoms to stay at home and see a doctor.

The problem that schools and colleges have is not what to do with 
students who are sick (that is very clear; no one disagrees that they 
should be kept isolated and supervised by a doctor). The problem is what 
to do with the majority of students, who are not sick and show no symptoms.

The authorities are quite right to show concern that closing schools may 
actually help to spread the disease around the society more generally, 
and they are right to consider the educational implications of 
cancelling classes of students who are, as far as can be told, perfectly 
healthy just for the sake of a handful of students who are sick.

I'm not saying that they *shouldn't* consider closing the schools; I'm 
not a doctor or an expert on health issues. I'm just saying that the 
points they are making make sense to me.

John