Queensland parents are being urged to send their children to school on Monday with a mask as COVID-19 cases rise.
Health officials aren't mandating masks in classrooms, but they say it's one way to slow the spread of both the virus and influenza.
Queensland Premier Annastacia said mask-wearing was a matter of personal responsibility.
"I'm strongly encouraging, when school goes back on Monday, for children to be wearing masks in schools, as well as teachers, except where you of course can socially distance," she said.
So what's the state of play? Should you be packing a mask with your child's school lunch box?
What's the current COVID-19 situation in Queensland?
On Monday, 6,692 new cases were reported; higher than the day before.
There were no deaths but hundreds remain in hospital for both COVID-19 and flu.
The Premier will also be monitoring case numbers ahead of the Royal Queensland Show – the Ekka – which was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.
The predicted peak of the current wave is expected to be around a week before the beginning of the Ekka season.
But Ms Palaszczuk said she didn't see why the Ekka couldn't go ahead if people voluntarily took up her call to wear masks.
Are masks mandatory?
No. After national cabinet on Saturday, the Premier urged parents to send their kids to school with a mask from today.
But that's not compulsory. Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the schools are a key site where COVID-19 could be spreading.
"School is one environment where there is a lot of people together in the one space."
"There's not the advice to mandate at this point — it is encouragement," he said.
The recommendation's been introduced because the peak of the newest COVID-19 wave is still some weeks away and hospitalisations are nearing record levels already.
Yesterday, 876 people were in hospital with COVID-19, including 20 in intensive care.
What if my child gets sick at school?
The Premier said extra RATs have been sent out to schools, so parents are able to test their children if they develop symptoms in the classroom.
How many staff are isolating due to COVID?
The Department of Education does not record the number of staff absences due to COVID-19, but a spokesperson said the combined impact of COVID-19 and influenza has created challenges for school systems across the country, including in Queensland.
"Just as they do every day, Queensland state schools make local decisions to accommodate any staff absences and ensure students continue to learn and remain engaged," the spokesperson said.
More than 5,000 relief teachers are available to fill staff absences in Queensland.
Unions for public and private schools have told the ABC schools are feeling the pressure.
Cresta Richardson, the President of the Queensland Teachers Union (QTU), which represents teachers at public schools, said this year has been especially difficult.
"This year has been a year unlike any other. We're in the third year of COVID, we've had natural disasters, we've had lots of things affect schools this year — so there is pressure in schools at the moment," she said.
The Independent Education Union (IEU), which represents teachers at non-government schools, says staff shortages are also biting in the private sector.
Queensland Branch Secretary Terry Burke says some schools are unaffected, but others are experiencing serious outbreaks.
"It's very hard to run a program when you've got quarter or a third of your staff away. You've probably got the same number of students away as well. So, schools are looking at how they actually do manage with the staffing they've got to continue to deliver the program," he said.
Are schools considering a return to online learning?
Well, the IEU's Mr Burke said some schools are "seriously looking at remote learning".
Ms Richardson from the QTU said resources have been made available for when students at state schools get COVID-19, so that they can learn from home.
She said each school had contingency plans in place for when COVID-19 comes through the school, but those plans may need to be updated.
"Schools have had scenario planning that they've had in place to deal with, you know, peaks within COVID since the end of last year, so it might be time to revisit that".
Both the IEU and the QTU are echoing the Premier's calls for students to don a mask where appropriate.
But Mr Burke says it's not always practicable or possible at school.
"There are a number of classes and class contexts where mask wearing can readily be done and it can be done effectively. However, there are still situations where the mask wearing is very, very difficult — it's highly problematic."
Independent Schools Queensland CEO, Chris Mountford said schools would make their own decisions about how to prevent and manage cases, including mask wearing.
"Schools are now well versed in managing increasing case numbers in their communities and minimising the impact on student learning, and do so to the best of their ability," he said.
What do teachers and students think?
Tony Harding, a TAFE teacher, thinks mask-wearing should be mandated — including in classrooms.
"In the classroom, it's such a crowded environment. There's 25 kids plus teacher, plus teacher aides and they do their best but I think it's going to happen again, it'll spread to the school," he said.
In his job as a teacher, Mr Harding said he'd seen "all sorts of problems" including staff and student absences. "Half-empty classes, classes being cancelled and combined," he added. "It's just a lot of ineffective teaching getting by just for the sake of it, really, for the sake of ticking boxes, I guess."
Members of his family have had COVID-19 but he hasn't and worries that catching the virus could cause him serious illness, because he has a heart condition.
He says the benefits of mask-wearing far outweigh the costs.
John Krashos, a year 12 student, was wearing a mask on Sunday as he visited the city centre. He said his final year has been difficult so far, but he doesn't expect many more teacher absences this year as many have already been off sick.
His sister, Angelique, said she's happy to wear a mask in school. "I've been wearing them for so long, since 2020, so I've just gotten used to it. It's not a problem really ... They've become a part of everyday life, I guess."
But other students were less keen. Grade 9 student Olivia Tucker was not keen to don a mask but said she would if she had to.
"I'd much rather not because I do find them quite a hassle and like, to be honest, a bit unsanitary," she said.
