Denmark vs UK

[XXYY]

I know many people have been saying Denmark could re-open schools safely so why can't we follow their example. In the last 24 hours, Denmark only recorded 76 new cases and 6 deaths. The UK, on the other hand, recorded around 3200 new cases and 494 deaths. See the difference? It is simply NOT safe to re-open schools yet in the UK!

[Terriblehairdontcare]

Denmark have a population of less than 6 million, as opposed to our 66 million.

[XXYY]

That is 11 times difference in population size, then we should only have 66 deaths

[bigbananafeet12]

It’s not about that. They still have the same issues with us with having to adapt the way they run school and have done a fantastic job. It’s about having a look at aspects of that that can be used here.

[Hadenoughfornow]

Denmark schools are already open.

Our schools will not open to certain year groups until 1st June at earliest .

Do you have a crystal ball to knkw what the situation in the UK will be at that time?

[bigbananafeet12]

@Hadenoughfornow How do you mean? Schools are preparing now for reopening on the 1 June.

[Hadenoughfornow]

big yes I know they are.

But we don't know how many new cases and deaths there will be on 1st June.

It is possible that they will be significantly lower than now.

And we don't now how may of the new cases are as a result of community transmission.

[XXYY]

With the way UK government handles this crisis, I have serious doubts about the future. Our schools definitely have to re-open at some point, and lots of planning needs to go into that, Denmark would be a great learning example, but 1st June (even only for some year groups) is simply not realistic with the current infection rates, and such a short time frame of preparation is insufficient as well.

[DippyAvocado]

I think the point is that Denmark got levels of infection down to a containable level (if appropriate testing and tracing methods are used) before reopening schools etc. If we don't get our infection rates down to similar low levels (adjusted for population if you like) then reopening schools etc is likely to increase the rate to unmanageable levels again.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Yeah. I wonder if they've put money into education and facilities over the last decade?

Or if they're still using cramped Victorian classrooms, corridors, loos, stairs, with 32 children in a class?

[XXYY]

@DippyAvocado Exactly what I meant, thank you very much.

[Hadenoughfornow]

XXYY I actually think its more sensible than September, at least in a limited form.

Yes infections may creep up a little but then we have 6 weeks of school holidays to let it fall again.

Also people tend to be at their healthiest over the summer months. Vitamin D levels increase.

Its not going anywhere. And I think people really need to start understanding that we need to learn to live with it.

And the Govt have been shit. I could have told you that would be the case. Many that are moaning the loudest for infinite lockdown, and school closures are many of the idiots that voted for them.

[HannahStern]

Terriblehairdontcare Thu 14-May-20 08:17:57
Denmark have a population of less than 6 million, as opposed to our 66 million.

The UK has 494 deaths (7.5 deaths per million) while Denmark has had 6 deaths (1 death per million). This is a huge difference.

[ineedaholidaynow]

If we could have the school set ups more like Denmark then I think people would be a bit happier too. Although I am not sure how tape down the middle of the classroom separates 2 ‘bubbles’, I am sure the virus could cross that!

But the numbers in each bubble seem more manageable, about 8 in the older age groups, down to 3 for the younger nursery children.

[Hadenoughfornow]

ineed how is that going to work in the UK? In a sector that has been seriously underfunded.
Where would the staff come from to even manage it?

We need to test and trace and isolate.

But apart from that and good hygiene I don't really see how its possible to get schools back without abandoning social distancing in these environments.

So we either need to accept the risk of schools opening or we keep them closed until a vaccine is found.

[Terriblehairdontcare]

And the Govt have been shit. I could have told you that would be the case. Many that are moaning the loudest for infinite lockdown, and school closures are many of the idiots that voted for them.m

^ this

Half the people moaning that they want to hide away probably voted for the prat that's now in charge.

Yes we have 'done worse' than Denmark. But no one has said we are exactly the same. Just that we can perhaps take some of the things they've done correctly?

People really have to start thinking for themselves and stop relying on the government to spoon feed them.

[ineedaholidaynow]

I get that @Hadenoughfornow but most other countries are going back with much smaller class sizes (let’s face it some countries’ normal class sizes aren’t much more than 15) and social distancing.

We are going back with larger groups, no social distancing and no masks.

And even with those extra measures in place in Danish schools and the much lower death rate many parents are still refusing to send their children in.

Also many countries are doing part-time schedules to cope with the smaller class sizes. The Government guidance was silent on the question of part-time so many schools are assuming full-time. And then it is suggested that they hope all Primary School children will have a month in school before the summer holidays, so basically business as usual after the 2nd week of June. It’s ridiculous.

[qweryuiop]

Denmark also made opening schools one of the first strategies in lifting lockdown. Here, some restrictions have already been lifted, which may cause a rise in R even before schools begin to open. The risk is certainly different. But the current school guidance says "prepare to begin to open from June 1st at the earliest." Very tentative, which is good. It's a shame that media representation hasn't matched.