How can businesses slowly re-open if schools don't go back?

[trumpisaflump]

I've been thinking about this all day. A few of my friends are taking great delight I think in forecasting that schools won't go back until August (Scotland). And even at that it will be part time classes to allow social distancing. So an I wrong in thinking if this is correct them business will not be able to return as families/parents will have children at home?
It's been going through my mind all day and I don't know how we can have one without the other. Any ideas?

[lamplamplamo]

Believe it or not there is a huge part of the work force that don't need childcare.

[Icedlatte]

I don't know either op, as a single parent I tried WFH with my 5 year old for a month, then asked my employer to furlough me as the stress of trying to juggle both whilst keeping him safe and occupied was too much.

I hope that if businesses do go back that would include childcare options such as childminders, kids clubs etc, and/or that social distancing rules might be relaxed enough to allow family or friends to help.

Basically I'm imagining it'll be like a very long summer holiday, in terms of kids being off and cared for one way or another while parents work.

[trumpisaflump]

I guess but also a huge part that does. In our situation I work in a covid ICU ward and my husband works in a small office. When his office reopens it will only be those without children who can return. Will those with children and no childcare lose their jobs as they cannot work?

[DarkDarkNight]

I don’t know but I’m wondering if the ‘bubble’ of family groups will come in to play here. The only way I can go back to work is with parental help.

[trumpisaflump]

@DarkDarkNight me too but both sets of grandparents are over 70 so I don't think that will be an option for us now.

[MrsWhites]

I think that’s the point to some degree, they don’t want everyone rushing back to work all at once and keeping children at home is a way to limit the amount of people working. In a home with 2 working parents, it means that only 50% can go back to work, I appreciate that this will be a lot harder for single parents who I think have had a particularly rough ride having to home school and social distance from their support networks!

[gingajewel]

@lamplamplamo there is also a significant part of the workforce that do so it’s insignificant! People who have children are used to their children being at school and therefore work the hours they can around school/breakfast/after school club, it will have a big impact on the workforce if businesses are trying to re open and many of their staff can’t be there as schools aren’t re open.

[lamplamplamo]

Interesting I was reading about the bubble there is a discussion about it on AIBU

[RedAzalea]

which businesses have reopened?

[DarkDarkNight]

trumpisaflump only my parents do childcare, and one is over 70 and the other prone to pneumonia and has been hospitalised twice over winter already. I’m not happy with the idea, especially if it’s all day childcare not just the school run.

I’m a single parent and my child’s dad is a key worker so that’s not an option. It’s an impossible puzzle.

[trumpisaflump]

@DarkDarkNight this is going to be so difficult for single parents. I know teachers correctly state that schools aren't childcare but the reality is most parents couldn't work without schools.

[Bigfishylittlefishy]

It’s a worry for me. I am supposed to be starting a nursing degree in September and I have three young children so I was relying on school obviously (plus the before and after school clubs being available). It’s looking unlikely I will be able to keep up with the demands of the course now if part time schooling is the way forward.

Guess I’ll stay at home whilst my husband goes out to work.
Pissed off!!... self indulgent I know - just having a moment.

[lamplamplamo]

I would hope they would be back by September bigfish

[Widowodiw]

I am hoping that for those that can’t go back to work if schools are still closed there will be some sort of support like an extended furlough. I’m a solo parent (widow) and have no bubble of support so I’d be buggered tbh and it’s not my fault if I can’t work if government keeps schools
Shut.

[RedAzalea]

they might be back by september but it will be a different type of schooling i think. maybe reduced hours/days. extra curricular stuff might not re start

[trumpisaflump]

@Bigfishylittlefishy that's crap isn't it? I'm trying to live just one day at a time and not think too far ahead. Hopefully things will work out for you in September somehow.

[lljkk]

Feels wrong to deprive kids of good education.
Tele-learning isn't best for most kids, most of the time.

[Kazzyhoward]

People who can't work due to childcare will be made redundant and replaced with those who don't need childcare.

So many employers will be closing down, there'll be loads of unemployed ready to step into the shoes of parents who aren't in a position to work.

Yes, it's tough, but everyone will be suffering in one way or another. The govt can't keep paying furlough indefinitely - sooner or later, they'll start to bring in restrictions as to who qualifies and why.

[Bigfishylittlefishy]

Fingers crossed. I have wanted to be a nurse forever. I’ve just completed a HND in health and social care via the OU which took me four years to complete part time. I have waited for my youngest child to go into year one before I start on my nursing journey. Husband works long hours and no other support available. I passed my interview so I’m just praying things are back to normal by September. In the grand scheme of things there are people much worse off and I am lucky that I am not a single parent. I worry about all the poverty in society that is going to be inevitable due to this.

[Yurona]

@Kazzyhoward that works in low qualified jobs (maybe... ), but in my case that would be 80% of the R&D organisation of a multinational, and in my husband’s case more than half of his university department. Not so easy to replace about 300 PhD level scientist for my employer only.

[RedAzalea]

@yurona what is a 'low qualified job'?

[LaurieMarlow]

People who can't work due to childcare will be made redundant and replaced with those who don't need childcare.

Yes, plunging hundreds of thousands of children into poverty sounds like a great plan

[Keepdistance]

Well only half parents would have primary age.
Then theres often 2 parents so 1 can work then other wfh.
Tbh its only another 6-7w anyway that last half term.
So 13w or so left this year.

[lamplamplamo]

12 weeks left and half term in my area

[Yurona]

@RedAzalea newspaper round, unqualified labourer etc? But even that will be tricky ad there are not that many people who want/can do many jobs. Just because you are childfree doesn’t mean you can do long hours of physical work (for example )