Boris Johnson tells students biggest threat they face is being out of school NOT coronavirus

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BORIS Johnson has told students today the biggest threat to them is being out of school NOT coronavirus.

The PM said there is nothing more “invaluable” than children being back behind desks and learning face to face again.

The PM said being in school is an “irreplaceable” and “invaluable” experience for kids

Boris said the biggest threat to kids was being out of school – not coronavirus

The PM said: “It is now 159 days since this school closed as a result of a global pandemic to the vast majority of its pupils.

“There were millions of people for the last 159 days who simply could not go to school.

“You couldn’t see your teachers face to face, you couldn’t see your friends.”

“The risk to your health is not from Covid because after all statistically speaking, your chances of suffering from that disease are very, very low.

“The greatest risk you face now is of continuing to be out of school.”

Mr Johnson drove home the importance of having a teacher helping kids understand concepts in class, saying it is like having a “light go on” and the “clouds lifting”.

He said: “That moment is absolutely irreplaceable, it’s invaluable, and it can only happen in school.”

The PM was visiting a school in Leicestershire today

The PM’s latest speech pushing the safety and importance of have kids back in classrooms comes after a massive U-turn on face masks.

Kids in secondary schools in local lockdown areas will have to wear masks in communal areas such as corridors.

But the announcement came only 24 hours after No10 vowed masks would not be made mandatory.

In response to questions about the latest policy blunder, the PM said: “On the issue of face coverings what you have is the World Health Organisation saying face coverings should be used by over 12s.

“We are saying if you’re in a school with a hotspot then it probably does make sense in confined areas outside the classroom to use the face covering.”

But the PM said wearing masks in classrooms was “clearly nonsensical”.

He said: “You can’t teach with face coverings and you can’t expect people to learn with face coverings.”

Britain’s top scientists have also been part of the effort to assure parents their children will be safe in schools.

Professor Chris Whitty and chief medical officers from all four nations published a statement over the weekend saying there was only a “very small” risk to children.

And deputy chief medical officer for England Dr Jenny Harries said earlier this week there was a greater risk of being in a traffic accident than from coronavirus to students.