Why are we different?

[Ricekrispie22]

So far, if I’m correct, these countries have closed all schools:
Greece
France
Italy
Denmark
Japan
China
Ireland
Spain
Norway
Poland
Czech Republic
Regions of US and Canada

Why are we not?

[greatandpowerfulozma]

Because the country is being led by arrogant pricks?

[greatandpowerfulozma]

That was maybe an over reaction. Not sure what to think really.

[Ricekrispie22]

“ Universities and colleges across the US are halting teaching, moving lessons online, and even asking students to move out of campus accommodation in an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus.“

Aren’t universities full of clever people? People who have studied science and sociology and therefore know that this kind of thing is necessary in these circumstances? So why aren’t we?

[awishes]

The UK have some of the best scientists in the world who we can assume are advising the Government's strategists.

[lubeybooby]

Because like he said it would need to be for 13 to 16 weeks to have a decent effect and we can't do that, and instead need something timed as precisely as they can to flatten the curve. Doing it too early risks another spike as measures end. We're not special just realistic about the effectiveness.

[okiedokieme]

Because containing the kids in one place jeans they are not being dumped round at elderly relatives houses. Nurses, drs, pharmacists, supermarket workers etc all are really needed to be at work and they have kids too. It's not an easy decision but closing schools has all kinds of other implications too - without movement restrictions they will be out in the wider community

[Bathbedandbeyond]

Boris is prioritising his banking buddies over human life!

[Snowy111]

Question time was on last night and the ex public health director was on saying uk is following wrong strategy. Uk is doing different strategy to everyone else. They are letting everyone get it, in a controlled(?!) way, to develop immunity, but lots of old people (and some young) will die. But China and Italy and others are trying to stop it. Lots on twitter saying uk is wrong. But uk don’t want economy to be damaged by shutting things down for a long time🤨. So are telling ppl it’s inevitable that people will die. Lots of health experts around the world don’t accept this!

[Pickpick101]

As was explained yesterday , it would have little affect. I think schools are shut elsewhere to show the population governments are doing something even if it's not helpful.

[DamselInTheStress]

The Netherlands has deliberately chosen not to close schools FWIW. The reason given is that it would cause immense problems for police, ambulance, health care staff who will be desperately needed at work.

Mind you just about everything else here is going to grind to a halt, eg libraries closing, no gatherings of more than 100 people, work at home if at all possible or stagger staff working times. I don’t get the impression that the UK is making those other moves to control the spread of the virus.

[Novia]

I think a huge part of it is economic, the UK government don’t want the hit to the financial markets. Old people and the immuno-compromised are just collateral damage.

I'm in Spain and schools are shut down, we will probably be doing full lock down like Italy in the near future. The point is NOT to stop people catching it, as that is fairly inevitable. The point is to stop everyone getting it at the same time and overburdening hospitals and emergency care units.

More people will die if everyone has it at the same time. In Italy doctors are already having to make tough choices about who gets critical care as they are so overrun. With the UK policy you can expect the same, but on a far greater scale.

[hidinginthenightgarden]

Right now, the only reason for closing schools is because they may spread it to other adults.
The thing is, most adults are far more exposed by sitting in their offices than by their child coming home from school.
Does it not seem more sensible to keep them in school, but not take them to see elderly people? They are right when they said that most people will stop listening when they start struggling to quarentine. It is more effective right now to use your common sense, wash your hands alot and maybe avoid large indoor events.

[hidinginthenightgarden]

And work from home where possible.

[itgetsthehoseagain]

Behavioural science, I think, and culture. We as a nation are not used to doctrines and following governmental advice en masse so the government is concerned that if we take such social distancing measures now, we will tire of them and our good intentions will start waning just as the epidemic peaks. I think they are right. Just an observation of the panic buying shows we are not great at thinking of others; after a week at home off school, doors will start opening, people will start meeting up...

[RandomWok]

Because of all the tea we drink? 🤷‍♀️ and we are led by a talking potato.

[MarshaBradyo]

Because they think it’s too early and would not be as effective now.

[SoupDragon]

So far, if I’m correct, these countries have closed all schools:

That's a small list of countries.

I assume it is because there are different ways of handling it and no one method has been proved to be the right one. If there is one single right method of course.

[Homkaismycat]

Well when my husband whines about exact thing and others: I just say : But darling you voted for it.
Here you go..

[Baboomtsk]

The truth is we have no way of judging how effective any particular strategy is at this time. Even countries where the number of cases has been declining recently might experience resurgances once the restrictions are (inevitably) lifted.

The schools will shut at some point but there's only so long that drastic measures like that can be kept in place so, the governments view is, it's best to wait until they will have their greatest effect.

I suspect they're right but getting the timing just right will, of course, be difficult.

[Baboomtsk]

• Please excuse grammatical errors due to autocorrect.

[SoupDragon]

The truth is we have no way of judging how effective any particular strategy is at this time

Exactly.

[BookMeOnTheSudExpress]

We're not.
The govt just thinks we are.
Britain right now is like that scene in Deep Impact when Vanessa Redgrave is standing on the hill watching the meteorite arrive.

[ThreeBlindNice]

Only time will tell..:maybe UK are doing it right and everyone else wrong

[BookMeOnTheSudExpress]

Wuhan province is now returning to normal.
The first hot spot in Italy, the town of Codogno has had no new cases this week after 3 of total police enforced lockdown.

That's how effective measures have been.

[MinkowskisButterfly]

I've seen posts that some universities are actually arranging streamed lectures etc (there is a thread on academic corner) which is reassuring, more reassuring thn the knobs in charge who are contradicting the advice by WHO (those that know better than our government).

So in answer because we are being run by self serving knobheads.