The government have fucked up the re-opening of schools

[noblegiraffe]

They have, haven't they?

Back in June their five tests for reopening schools were:

First we must protect the NHS’s ability to cope, and be sure that it can continue to provide critical care and specialist treatment right across the whole of the United Kingdom.

Second, we need to see daily death rates from coronavirus coming down.

Third, we need to have reliable data that shows the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels.

Four, we need to be confident that testing capacity and PPE is being managed, with supply able to meet, not just today’s demand, but future demand.

And fifth, and perhaps most crucially, we need to be confident that any changes we do make will not risk a second peak of infections.

I'm pretty sure I know the reason for not reminding people of those five tests this time round, but particularly test 4 - capacity within the testing system.

I was listening to the radio today about how the lack of testing is damaging the NHS's capacity to reopen services as nurses with symptoms cannot get tests and therefore cannot return to work. The same goes for schools - if teachers cannot get tests, either for themselves or for family members with symptoms, then they cannot go to work. This has been the case even with priority referrals.

There also seems to be utter chaos around who gets sent home when there is a positive test. Some schools are sending home a year group, others close contacts. Teachers often have no idea if they'll be sent home if one of their pupils tests positive.

But surely the government are tracking cases in schools carefully? No, it turns out they're not even storing that data. schoolsweek.co.uk/its-official-dfe-doesnt-know-how-many-schools-have-covid-cases

And a survey suggests that covid protection measures in some schools are poor. www.tes.com/news/third-teachers-lack-soap-and-water-school

So with an abysmal test and trace system, less than adequate measures to prevent the spread, and a department that isn't on top of its brief we can expect more disruption to come.

Even if your own kids' school is fine so far, parents really shouldn't be happy with this state of affairs, particularly the lack of testing capacity that will mean children will be out of school or missing a teacher unnecessarily.

YABU: The government have done a sterling job
YANBU: The government have not done a sterling job

[LastGoldenDaysOfSummer]

Most local schools have classes at home isolating. Total mess.

[Sirzy]

It went from “we can only get a tiny amount of pupils in” to “it’s safe everyone in” within their space of 6 weeks. There is no logic!

Ds is off school this week due to an outbreak in his class. The child was one of three siblings in the school so 3 classes are now off. Having discussed plans with the school before they returned (Ds was shielding) and what I have witnessed since I have been back I am confident the school have done all they can but it still has ended up with 90 children having to isolate within 10 days of going back.

We are going to end up with an even more disjointed year this year with children in and and out.

[AntiHop]

It's a total shit show. Tests are impossible to get. Rules are unclear. It's embarrassing.

[spanieleyes]

A third of our teachers are currently trying to get tests or awaiting the results. its a nightmare!

[ducklingyellowowl]

YANBU. Other countries have at least reduced class sizes. We've just shoved everyone back in massive groups, barely any special measures apart from hand washing and surprise, surprise, there's Covid (and other colds and bugs) spreading around kids, teachers and parents.

Meanwhile no proper track and trace and a collapsing testing system. It's a total shitshow - and isn't inevitable. Tory privatisation of essential services and short-sighted promises to parents of full time school (without additional funding) has caused this. So angry.

[NebularNerd]

Agree. I thought it would go this way and expressed my concerns about the safety of schools opening.

Still, I'm shocked by how quickly things have started to collapse.

I'm wondering how long schools will remain open full time, and if they do, what they will look like in terms of ongoing staff absence (necessary if no testing available) and year groups isolating.

[ineedaholidaynow]

I’d like to know how people think they have done a good job

[kiwibee]

Lots of staff off unable to get tested. Children too so parents can’t work. It’s a mess.

[missyB1]

Ah but it’s a “world beating test and trace system” as promised by Boris folks!
Our Government are a world class embarrassment I know that much!

[BeingATwatItsABingThing]

My DD’s school closed a bubble over the weekend and my bubble at my school was closed yesterday. I’m now at home but DD is still going to school.

It was bound to happen and will only continue to happen.

[FlamingoorPigeon]

It all seems to be working well in the schools I know.
I work in primary, as does my DH and both my siblings. My children are 1 at primary and 1 at secondary. My Nieces are at primary.
So far none of these (6 primary 1 secondary) have cases, all following guidelines and everybody in the family feels safe and normal. We are in a local lockdown area as well.
I know of 3 schools in a 20 mile radius that have one bubble shut for single cases.
Personally I am so happy to be back at work and the difference in my children's mental health is phenomenal.
I think the government made the right call, that the guidelines are appropriate and effective.

[MrsHamlet]

10% of our teaching staff were off today waiting for test results. Tomorrow is looking dicey.

[BeingATwatItsABingThing]

@ineedaholidaynow

I’d like to know how people think they have done a good job

Who? The government or the schools?

[noblegiraffe]

I think the government made the right call, that the guidelines are appropriate and effective.

You've seen that people cant get tests, right? How can guidelines be effective if they can't be followed due to a lack of resources?

[ineedaholidaynow]

The Government @BeingATwatItsABingThing

[Namenic]

It was kinda expected though - I mean, govt basically don’t plan. They leave responsibility to local councils, schools. Don’t provide funding...

well I guess there isn’t really anything we can do u til next election. Just never vote Tory...

[rwalker]

I think we need to look at the part people are playing in this . Loads of people getting unnecessary test and track and trace people not giving correct details and refusing to isolate.
Why an earth do people think there will not be a 2nd wave we have not eradicated it it will just start spreading again .
You can put all the rules in the world out but people will not follow them.

[MarshaBradyo]

They need to prioritise tests on need not past occurrence. Ie look at school need now.

That last point was updated to include ‘to not overwhelm NHS’ bugged me at the time but it’s probably warranted given next six months.

[RepeatSwan]

I just feel like I'm in one of those nightmares where everything's going wrong but you can't stop it.

Schools without decent testing is a ridiculous proposition - unless they are actually trying to infect everyone.

Sometimes I wish it was a conspiracy asthatd feel less worrying than just cock up after cock up!

[MarshaBradyo]

Listening to R4 too today and person talking about how many times a child gets symptoms which could trigger school asking to isolate is high, but not Covid.

[Boredbumhead]

I am a well balanced person but the school thing is causing me massive anxiety.

My children managed 1 week before getting sick. I can't get a test anywhere. That means we have to isolate again. I am a single mum with a high pressure job and no help.. I am at the end of my tether tbh.

[Canihavethisone]

We have attempted to send a few children home as they have displayed symptoms. Only for the parents to tell us that the 'doctor' has said the children can return to school as their coughs are clearly related to (previously non-existent) allergies, or are caused by the cold weather, or the piece of toast that got stuck in their throat at breakfast. Now, the likelihood is that the coughs are not serious, but the fact that they have sent their children to school, with symptoms, is a concern.

[millymollymoomoo]

I didn’t vote as I don’t like the choices
Schools need to be open with all children in. End of
HTH

[millymollymoomoo]

However, we shouldn’t be in a situation where 1) every child with a cold has to get a flipping test 2) sending home 300 pupils because one child is positive

[starrynight19]

Completely agreed. The local primary to my school has eventually closed today after cases meaning all but one class had closed. That includes nursery also.
My dd school has only year 8 and 11 in.
My own school has children at home who can’t access tests.
How on earth have we still not got a testing system that’s even barely able to do the job required.
Once unis start back next week it’s game over.