I am uncertain as to what the actual purpose is of keeping kids out of school when there is no outbreak of any kind?

I have heard however that Qatar had a LOT of the spring version of the flu, and everyone is concerned that the fall version will be particularly virulent. The schools here in the states have been doing massive education, passing out sanitizers, insisting on religious handwashing and no touching etc etc for the last 3 weeks. My concern is that after all of this, if there actually IS an outbreak, the kids will be missing more school-the ones who are ill and all those they go to school with.

The good news is that my son, who will probably have at least 2 weeks out when we move, will probably be about as even as possible with the other 4th graders since you all are getting such a break:) I can find the bright spot in all of this, but it sucks for summer vacation-which I imagine is necessary for survival over there.