Thousands of children across the country head back to school this week, however for children with underlying health conditions this could be too much of a risk.
Pranathi Aasha O'Donovan, is ten years old and three years ago she had a heart transplant. She has had to cocoon throughout the pandemic to protect her from contracting Covid-19, and she cannot go back to school this September.
She lives in Waterford city with her parents Ivor O'Donovan and Anne-Marie Lally. The family are no strangers to cocooning as they had to protect themselves from all risk of infection before and after Pranathi's transplant.
Her mother says they had a much better time cocooning this time.
"The six months prior to Pranathi getting her new heart we were cocooning in Crumlin Hospital, we had one room, we did school in one room, we played in one room and we ate in one room. So, when it came to cocooning again, we had done it before, but also, we had a lovely house and a trampoline, and bedrooms and places to play.
"It was difficult to return to that but we know how lucky we are that she is well and we're in a good place to protect her."
Both Pranathi's parents are lecturers in Waterford Institute of Technology and have been quick to turn their teaching skills to the fourth-class curriculum.
"At the moment the guidance is saying that Pranathi will not be able to return to full time schooling until we see a significant reduction in Covid cases or a vaccine.
"The good side of that is should a vaccine become available those in the high-risk category should be the first to receive it, so if there is anything available that will allow Pranathi resume full schooling and normal activities then we'll definitely be on that list and we look forward to that day," Anne-Mari said.
Pranathi says she was a bit sad when she first had to stay home from school but is dealing with it.
"It's a bit lonely, but I don't mind, I can zoom call with my teacher," she said.
While she says she will miss her friends, teachers and the school concert, but there are some things she won't miss about school like lunchboxes, uniform and homework.
Lexi Murphy is also ten years old, and nearly four years ago she had a kidney and liver transplant. She has been cocooning on the family farm in Dunhill, Co Waterford with her brother Dillon and sister Ali.
They had to consult Lexi's doctors in Birmingham, where she had the transplant, about going back to school.
Since they live in a quiet area and Lexi attends a small school, she has been given the green light to go back to the classroom this week.
"We have to ask a lot of the doctors if it's ok to go back to school with the numbers, because if someone was to get the coronavirus and pass it to me, I wouldn't be able to fight as well as other people would be," Lexi said.
While she is nervous about going back as she says she "really does not want to catch it" she is happy to get back to the classroom learning environment.
Lexi's mother Kim said: "She is used to missing out on a lot, and of the three of them she was the only one who really wanted to go back to school. Once the Doctors gave the go-ahead I'm happy for her to back then because I do want things to try and return to as normal as possible for her."
Kim also said she is very happy that she does not have to do any more home schooling: "I have a whole new respect for their teachers, I am not cut out to be a teacher."
Organ Donor Cards can be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association on 01 6205306 or Free text the word DONOR to 50050. You can also visit the website www.ika.ie/get-a-donor-card or download a free 'digital organ donor card' APP to your phone.
