For Emma and Pat Campbell, the decision to pull their two sons out of school to protect them from contracting coronavirus was ultimately not a difficult one to make.
Ms Campbell has a chronic auto-immune disease, which makes her more vulnerable to serious infection if she contracts COVID-19.
Over the weekend, the couple concluded that the dangers of their young boys catching the virus and bringing it home were simply too great.
While the ACT has just three confirmed cases of the virus, Ms Campbell noted that Canberra was "highly mobile", with thousands of people travelling to and from the national capital for work.
"We just decided that it was too much of a risk for me," she said.
"In 2017, I contracted Influenza A and I ended up in Canberra Hospital. The boys know from that experience just how dangerous this could be for me.
"They are disappointed, but they understand."
Aside from protecting her own health, Ms Campbell felt she had a "social responsibility" to keep her boys - Finn, who is in Year 6, and Sam, a Year 4 student - at home.
The precautionary measure is her way of helping to "flatten the curve" of the virus' spread.
The family is evidently not alone in making the call to pull their kids out of school. The ACT Education Directorate said student numbers at public schools were down since new "social distancing" measures, which include the cancellation of assemblies, sporting events and excursions, came into effect on Monday.
The Canberra Times has been contacted by a number of parents who are either already keeping their children at home, or are weighing up whether to do so.
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The federal government is continuing to advise against mass school closures, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison warning the measure could have far-reaching consequences. Authorities have repeatedly stated the advice could change as the pandemic evolves.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered the closure of schools from Friday.
Ms Campbell said the Australian government should follow suit and proactively close schools. In any event, she said families who could afford to keep their children at home should be encouraged to do so.
They are remarkably resilient with how they can adapt. But there is no doubt that it is going to take its toll
Emma Campbell
The former Canberra Times journalist acknowledged that she was in a privileged position. A professional historian, she has worked from home since leaving her most recent job at the Australian War Memorial.
"I'm more inclined to lean on the side of being cautious. I know these are difficult decisions to make, but I think that with three weeks until school holidays, it should be done now," she said.
At home on the family farm in Hume, Ms Campbell is trying to maintain as much normality and routine as possible. The day starts with a morning walk. The kids break for recess and lunch at the same time they would at school.
As she awaits more guidance from her children's public school, Ms Campbell is relying on online resources to frame the makeshift curriculum. Finn and Sam have already been put through a spelling test and have started work on a self-directed research project.
"I think they are up for it," Ms Campbell said.
"They are remarkably resilient with how they can adapt. But there is no doubt that it is going to take its toll. This isn't for the faint-hearted."
Three days in, Finn is going OK. He misses his friends. As a member of his school's leadership team, he feels like he's letting his classmates down by not being present.
But there are some upsides.
"I can still play games with my friends online. Hopefully I'll get more gaming time, too."
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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