Social Distancing

UPDATE: 31/3/2020 All in-person groups and events MUST cease until the social distancing laws permit them. 

March 15:

In the current climate, HEN strongly recommends the suspension of all gatherings.

While children seem less susceptible to Coronavirus than adults, home ed gatherings involve both. In addition, some doctors warn that children (while remaining well themselves) can transmit the virus to others.

Earlier action will assist in ‘flattening the virus curve’, increasing the availability of effective treatment for those who need it. This will avoid the situation we’re seeing overseas.

As home educators, we can act now.

Refraining from social activities in the short term will be inconvenient in some ways, but we encourage you to take the opportunity to enjoy your children’s company without your usual round of activities. Read together, play board games, hang out and laugh – this will help the kids (and you) cope with this stressful time.

To avoid social isolation, HEN recommends the use of video conferencing to run study groups and get togethers remotely. There are many free options available e.g. Skype, Google Hangouts, Zoom.