All schools in England back 8th March 😀

[Tomorrowsanewday1]

Looking promising 😀

I hope not. Will be one of the worst decisions made if it's true. Should wait until after the Easter holidays when it's safer hopefully. Will not be happy if my son has to go back before Easter at all.

I’m betting on a change nd backtrack before we actually reach 8th of March!

Fuck’s sake.

All I’ve read on here in the past 2 months is how schools should be reopening. How our children’s education is suffering, how this is going to ruin their lives (admittedly I find that one a bit dramatic but that’s what’s been said.)

Now there’s talk of the schools reopening and it’s too soon/not good enough/they’re making a huge mistake.

They just can’t win can they?

The numbers are dropping. Not just slowly like in the first wave but they are actually plummeting, from an average of 55/60000 in January to less than 10000 in the past week. And the vaccination programme is on schedule.

What exactly is it that people want? That home schooling become the thing of the future?

@AlternativePerspective it ruined my daughters. She developed agoraphobia and took an overdose over a week ago. Schools are back on the 8th but my daughter won't be. Thankfully she's alive but yes I would say lockdown escalated her anxiety and now depression significantly.

I now couldn't give a shit if they are back or not because it makes no odds to her at this time. It just gives me less chance actually of getting her back this year at all.

@HoneysuckIejasmine- I’m not familiar with how NI is doing it... is it two weeks on, two weeks off? At least that sounds something predictable that people can plan around and children can develop a routine... Or is it two weeks in and then who knows?!

My worry is everyone in- cases spike. Best case scenario families are constantly dealing with burst bubbles which means immediate need for child care with no notice and no routine for the children- worst (and I fear most likely case!) is we end up back in lockdown fairly quickly and they are all back out anyway.

And - if we do go back into lockdown- it means people without children/pre- or post- school aged children and business haven’t had any reprieve. (full disclosure- I’m pregnant, my partner is stuck overseas and is increasingly unlikely to be back for the birth if there’s further lockdowns etc. Selfish as it is, I’m terrified that this will happen and I’ll have little - if any- support if there’s another lockdown)

Boris has just mentioned in parliament twice weekly tests for secondary children when back to school. Assuming he means the lateral flow ones.
They must have a load going spare

@kingat

If true, that is good news and right decision

I agree. And it is not like last time as vaccinations are being rolled out on a massive scale and as a result the figures speak for themselves.

Thank God! Anarchy has betokened out in the Slumberdoon household. The kids have been in bed all day and the cats been sick on the carpet. I no longer care

Having just watched the live national address I sense much hope for optimism and in particular rate Professor Chris Whitty on his assured clear, reasoned and measured pragmatic approach. However I understand these are initial steps and dependent on the remaining expected headroom for gradual unlocking of society.

I do hope that children are not "weaponised" or used to test the headroom but on balance with other combined health risk mitigation measures welcome a return to school for those not socially economically disadvantaged or otherwise vulnerable enough to have been at school over past months daily to return to in person schooling too. Let's ensure this is not just 2020 open and close repeat cycles again as this must be measured, balanced and above all sustainable long term.