Do you think there will be another lockdown?

[Buttercupsandlemonade]

I am contemplating sending my children to an independent school in the upcoming year. I don't want to pay fees for zoom lessons.
What do you think the likelihood of another lockdown is?

No, I don’t think so, at least not of the “only leave the house once a day” type, I don’t think people would comply anymore unless they find a spectacularly more dangerous variant. I think there could be a lot of popped bubbles/isolations next winter though.

No, I think there is a very low likelihood or another proper lockdown.
But then I’ve been hopelessly overly optimistic through the last 18 months so I probably shouldn’t comment.

No as long as hospital admissions stay low. There is no justification for a lockdown.

Difficult to say. Certainly not as long as last winter but I think a January lockdown is possible.

No. What we have now will probably be extended past 21/6.
But then nobody has a crystal ball, nobody saw this coming.

No I don't think so but I am optimistic as I can't bear the thought of moving backwards again

I can’t see anything happening across the summer but I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if we’re back in lockdown by November/January.

Is this even a serious post?

@Howshouldibehave

I can’t see anything happening across the summer but I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if we’re back in lockdown by November/January.

Yes I think September more likely

I am passionately anti lockdown, so I'm not a poster who really wants more of this crap.

Some restrictions I can see happening in the winter, but not school closures, and not to the extent of January to April..

In the UK we have not had a lockdown for anyone other than those who were shielding. Please do not misuse the English language.

Your are spending some £200,000+ over 5 years (or more).

Personally, I would only consider private education if there using Zoom Premium Plus.

I am with LEMtheoriginal here.

I think a lockdown is possible in the winter

Thank you everyone, mixed answers you are right it is impossible to know without a crystal ball! I suppose best to continue as we are for now. See what happens this year and then decide for September 22! Or maybe see about a mid-year admission if all seems okay come winter.
And yes serious post, we can only just about afford it and we want our moneys worth if so.... Not everybody considering an independent school can spend that sort of money without any hesitation!!

I'm planning for a Dec / Jan balls up and need to look down for a bit. But I'm practically pessimistic.

Many people are paying for independent schools precisely because if there is another lockdown education will continue to a much greater extent than it will for state school pupils.

It isn’t right but it is true - lockdown has only widened the disadvantage gap.

Can't see it, and if there is schools will be the very last thing to close as usual. Possibly restrictions in winter again, pubs shut etc, but not schools.

@newnortherner111

Some restrictions I can see happening in the winter, but not school closures, and not to the extent of January to April..

In the UK we have not had a lockdown for anyone other than those who were shielding. Please do not misuse the English language.

Come on... of course we’ve had lockdown - not just for those shielding

I think potentially when influenza season kicks in again to stop NHS being overwhelmed so I think from November to January restrictions will ramp back up.

Mine are at independent school. All had to have pen enabled tablets and work was done on teams. It was full days plus PE on Strava. It was really full on. They were A level year and beginning of year 10 though so I felt worth it not to miss much. If they'd been younger then maybe not so much.

We definitely did have lockdown? Workplaces closed, schools closed, don't go to the shops more than once a week blah blah?

Not with this variant if they really get going with vaccinations, but there will be more variants and we'd have to keep on top of vaccinations with those too, including in schools.

Not sure why everyone is obsessed with the certainty of winter lockdowns on here or restrictions ‘ramping up’ because of flu ffs.

@TheCatsHaveEyes
@Kate3150
@megletthesecond

Everyone who wants to will be vaccinated then so if we’re in the situation that we need one, then we are screwed in the long run.

I think potentially when influenza season kicks in again to stop NHS being overwhelmed so I think from November to January restrictions will ramp back up.

Flu season disappeared altogether last year - I work in a microbiology lab which tests for both flu and covid, and there was none at all of the former.

My concern is the longer into summer they push "freedom day", the closer we are to September and the usual rise as all the kids mingle after the break, then it's winter.. before you know it we are at Easter 2022 still waiting "a few more weeks, a few more boosters".

Is the Pope Catholic?