In Feb 09, a student in my daughter's class vomited once. Half of the students, included my daughter, in the same class got sick. They all had enterogastritis (腸胃炎). My daughter vomited over 5 times and had to be admitted to hospital. We thought she might die. In a few days, everyone in our house had 腸胃炎. I didn't know a virus can be transmitted so fast.
You are right. No one in this world is familiar with the virus. It might become a common flu, but we can't take it easy until it is confirmed. There were many death cases in Mexico. We can't afford another SARS in HK. During SARS, some people died and many survivors have permanent disabilities.
I support this, but the government should consider offering child care services to people in need for future school shut-down. Not everyone can afford keeping kids at home.
I also support the government, but I think the secondary schools should be included too. Life is more important than money. We have SARS experience, so the schools and parents already know what to do.