Statsminister Erna Solberg w Monday morning she gave a speech to the children.
She said everyone has the right to be afraid, but stresses that children generally suffer mildly from the disease.
- Due to the coronavirus, everyday life for both adults and children has changed a lot.
Everyone who can stay at home should do so all the time, this is how the Prime Minister began her speech.
- I know that for many children it seems scary. Everyone has a right to be concerned when so many things happen at once. Everyone has the right to fear coronavirus infection, but for most of us, the coronavirus is not dangerous. Children with coronavirus tend to be only slightly sick, as they do with the common cold, emphasizes Solberg and adds:
-And many won't get sick at all.
The minister explains that even if the entire school were to be infected, it would be fine with almost everyone.
Great doctors and nurses
Solberg praises everyone who works with the sick, we have great nurses and doctors who look after us and help us. But it would be best if as many of us as possible in She wasn't infected at all, so there are a lot of places that are closed and a lot of events are canceled. Because if we don't meet, we won't get infected then, he says.
Erna also says that it is stupid to have to cancel your birthday and not be able to play with all your friends.
-But staying home instead of being at school or at school classes additional, you help ensure that people who are not going to be infected do not get infected or get sick, she emphasizes.
Also, the Minister of Education, Guri Melby, who is the head of all schools, wanted to speak to the children at the conference:
Thank you for staying at home. You are great. I know that it can be boring to stay away from schools, kindergartens, friends and not to trainings. But now that the coronavirus has arrived in Norway, we need to take care of each other avoiding any close contact. I myself have three children at home and I know that they are already bored, says the minister.
The minister is also focused on keeping children from flocking to large groups, and many are wondering how long schools will remain closed. We do not know for sure yet. For now, they have been closed for 2 weeks, but this period may be extended. But: they'll be reopened, says Melby.
Everything will be fine.
Children's ombudsman Kjell Ingolf Ropstad believes that it is worth considering that visiting grandparents at this point is not very smart, but that you can call them, for example.
- We are in a different time for us, but everything will be fine - and it is important to remember about it! If you have any questions or concerns, speak to a trusted adult about it.
He also said that children can play outside with one or two other children if they need to, but they must keep some distance from each other.
- Be creative
You can read books, call friends or play games through Face time, for example.
When you can't invite your friends, how about having a birthday in Minecraft?
Now is the time to get creative.
The minister also said that the government is donating a lot of funds. Which will allow parents to keep a job that they could return to after the crisis is over. He also said that children have to signal if they do not feel safe.
Most of the children do well at home. We also know that there are those who are not well or are simply afraid. If you are experiencing something difficult for you. Contact an adult you trust or call one of the several emergency telephone numbers.
. Questions from children:
Ministers also answered questions from children.
Can the virus spread to animals?
- We don't know everything about this virus yet, but we don't think animals could get infected with it, says the minister.
Can the National Day stay cancelled?
-I understand that there are many people who are worried about this because May 17th is both important and joyful. Everything depends from how long we will they had to być careful in cognacs with other people. I hope, however, that we will be able to celebrate this day, despite the fact that it will probably be different than usual, says the minister of education.
How long does it take to prepare the vaccine?
-We don't know how long it will take. We do not have a vaccine ready yet, but there are people who check whether it is possible to test several vaccines. There are a lot of great scientists in the world who are working on this. They are working on both a vaccine and drugs to help treat the virus. The vaccine will appear - maybe in a year, maybe a little early. But it could also take several years, says the Prime Minister.
Why can't I celebrate my birthday on the weekend?
- Because now too many people should not be gathered at once, because we have to limit the spread of the virus. For example, you can celebrate with one friend you are in contact with during this period, or you can be a little more creative and try to celebrate through Face-time, or try other things or postpone the birthday. Then you have a very good reason to have a big party when it's all over, says the Minister of Education.
Everyone will get their certificates
Will the holidays be shorter?
-No, the holidays will take place anyway, but it may be that they will be different than planned, because you cannot travel to places where you used to go, says the minister and adds:
-I would like to pass on to those who graduate from lower secondary school and are afraid that they will not be able to take the exam or will not receive a certificate that everything will be fine. Everyone will get their certificates, no matter what is happening now.
Erna: Are you afraid you will get sick coronavirus? And if you get infected, who will replace you?
- I am not afraid of being sick too much, but we must all be prepared for the fact that we may get sick. If I get sick, I will be at the Prime Minister's residence and only with Sindre. I will try to request via Skype and phone to continue. If I get sick enough that I won't be able to do it, the one who is number two in the government and is currently ti Iselin Nyb will do.ø who is the economy minister. Number three is Kjell Ingolf and then there's a line. We also planned that whatever would happen. There will always be someone who will be able to manage and care for our country, says the Prime Minister.
