To think this procrastinating about school reopening is going to cause more deaths and long term issues than CV

[whenthejoyreturns]

Credit due to all the schools that have worked hard and found inventive ways to open this week. I know of some that have sent positive messages to parents and managed to reassure them that their dc won’t be traumatised by the experience.
What’s preventing all schools doing this? Our local primary has sent an email basically telling parents they will be committing murder if their dc step anywhere near school. Unsurprisingly they’ve decided they’re not ready to open yet. This is a modern school, all classrooms have doors to outside and are large and airy. The deputy head’s dc has diabetes and I believe she doesn’t want to open because of her personal circumstances.
AIBU to think schools are not thinking about children and the negative impact this is bound on thousands. I believe many will never recover from this.

Is it though? If you are from a difficult home situation then yes, although the mental impact of regular life would be difficult

Social isolation increases risk of death in adolescents by at least 25%, often more, this is irrespective of "difficult home situations" - although of course those in a difficult home situations have a higher risk of death.

It also of course increases the risk of many other negative things.

Frodo
My son is one of those young people who have struggled with MH - the whole issue of MH in adolescents and young adults is a complete nightmare of underfunding and limited access. It's like being in the seventh circle of hell - you get them to actually seek help and they get sent away. You persevere and they get put in the system and told to wait six moths for an appointment. this has been going on for years and we are heading for a major crisis. The practical help for young people in this situation just isn't there.
My boy has actually improved under lockdown as everyone has been isolated and he's felt less of an outlier.

Who could have predicted though that MH for adolescents and young people, along with the care and education of vulnerable children would be such a concern for the population as a whole?
It's almost as if people are just using them to strengthen their argument and get what they want...

Imagine what it's like for an only child and a single parent. Months of no interaction with any other people.
@formerbabe My best friend is a shielding single parent her and her 9 year old haven’t left the house since lockdown. Her dc is bored but on zoom chats daily doing quizzes , chatting to friends on the Xbox , movie nights with mum, baking learning new skills. Their child is perfectly happy!

No I think children's mental health is suffering because they are isolated.

But children can see other people now, either down the park or in their own gardens, they do not need to be back in school to socialise. In fact school will be the worst place for children suffering for MH due to lack of socialisation due to all the rules that will be in place.

Social isolation increases risk of death in adolescents by at least 25%, often more
@sirfredfredgeorge long term social isolation - not a few months being stuck on home with family constantly on social media!
It’s the reason for the social isolation that causes the risk, ie the teen is social isolated due to depression or bullying . You are twisting statistics to fit your narrative.

former in war time and refugee camps there generally isn't a virus with no cure or treatment going around

Wasn't really the point

I'm making the point that interaction with other human beings is a fundamental human need.

Theoretically you could keep a human being alive and safe alone in an empty room...like a prisoner in solitary confinement but it would be a bloody miserable existence.

@formerbabe but your dc is having interaction with other humans. It will be your attitude to this that causes an issue with them, not them missing out on playing with other dc.

Right so let’s just ignore all those children from a difficult home! All those with attentive parents who can take them for bike rides are fine who cares about the rest.

Such shocking short sightedness

I love how on these posts people are desperate to get their children back to school for their mental health. Their children are bored at home (where they have the freedom of movement) and want to interact with their friends.
Yet they will be sending their children into school to sit at a desk, away from their friends, for six hours a day. They will be made to eat at their desks and be prescribed set times to go to the toilet. Then on top of that they will be made to wash their hands repeatedly during the day to prevent spread of disease.
Yes you are right that sounds fantastic for mental health

I think my son will be perfectly fine with the hand washing and the, shock horror, going to toilets at set times.

I know his teachers and they will do their best to make it fun. They will get social interaction, a routine and they are planning on doing lessons. He was excited today, he is resilient.
He will actually get so education too. Do what is right for your family.

but your dc is having interaction with other humans

My ds is a popular at school, sporty 12 year old. He's really bored of baking, gaming, walks with just us. He actually likes school...he wants to get back to football and rugby.

Stop trying to make out that any children who miss their school and friends come from really shitty families.

formerbabe
Yes of course human need interaction.
Covid likes humans to interact as well.
Sometimes it has to be the lesser of two evils though doesn't it?
As I said before, my son is currently being treated for a moderate / serious mental health issue. Lockdown has actually helped him and made him feel more 'normal' ... it's not as simple as you're making out.

Why is it going to cause more deaths?

Children have missed one term of school so far. Thats it. They can now socialise in groups of 6.

A bit of context when I was 8 our school shut for a term because it flooded, we didnt even get any online worksheets. My education was not affected in anyway.

This is an exceptional situation.

Schools arent just shut to protect children, it is to protect staff, parents and to prevent spread. In order for us to be able to go out and we need to keep the transmission rates low, if schools are back to normal this cant happen.

My mum is a primary school teacher , in her fifties with asthma. She will be going back because actually turns out the majotity of staff are vunerable in some way and I am worried.

Her school have no concept of infection control, they are providing very little protection for staff - bring your own homemade mask and thats it. Even in hospitals where everyone is trained in infection control, everything is cleaned by trained teams infections spread like wildfire. Schools saying 'back to normal' arent great.

Exactly @IHateCoronavirus suddenly these posters want their kids back at school because they care so much about single parents and other children's mental health

I understand the risk of covid to wider society but I believe the risk to my children from covid is tiny. My children are my priority.

Statistically children are more at risk from knife crime and road traffic accidents...those things don't stop us from sending our children to school.

I have a year 12 who is very stressed about whether or not they can go back this term - they really need to be back. It is driving me nuts that so many people are posturing about whether to send their DC back - take a decision and stick to it - but all this wittering on just means that the older children who, unlike year 6, really do need to be back at school as they have really important public exams next year are being pushed further and further down the agenda.

shitty families
From 'will nobody think of the poor vulnerable children' to 'shitty families'.
There we go.
the risk to my children - What about the risk to everybody else?

My children are my priority too formerbabe but this is a pandemic, we have to think of society as a whole. We can’t all just think about ourselves and our own families.

I am a teacher with a vulnerable child (rare health condition making him prone to resp infections). He is my priority so can I just refuse to go to work? No, but by your logic I guess I should be able to?

From 'will nobody think of the poor vulnerable children' to 'shitty families'.
There we go.

I'm not saying shitty families...that's what they're implying.

There's a post on here from someone who thinks children and young people only have mental health problems if they come from difficult homes. What a load of crap.

@Delatron actually I can’t take my dc on bike rides because one I have no use of legs and two I am shielding so my own dc haven’t left the house for 75 days.
Of course I care about children from difficult homes that was my point. Those children will have their mental health affected somewhat. Other children - the majority will not.

Also @Delatron the most vulnerable dc will be in school and have been all along so your point is not that relevant.

@formerbabe
There's a post on here from someone who thinks children and young people only have mental health problems if they come from difficult homes. What a load of crap.
Nope I never said that, my eldest dc well before Covid19 had very sever mental health problems.
I am saying on a society level children with no previous mental health issues in a supportive home , are not at high risk of mental health issues purely due to not being at school.

When a lot of medics are shouting that it's too much all at once

Tbf it’s not their role to weigh up the long term social implications of school closure for the most vulnerable children.

OP, not RTFT yet but your view is rather simplistic.

I normally work 2 afternoons pw in a primary school. Before half term we had around 35 children in every day, vulnerable & key workers' children. The senior leadership team has completed risk assessments over every part of the wider opening. Some classes are in mobile classrooms with toilets so they can be used. Lots are in interconnected spaces in the 1930s building and they are more difficult to keep separate. Some staff cannot work due to shielding (themselves or members of their household).

The risk assessments had to go to governors (remotely) then to the Local Authority to be signed off. Lots of things that the children normally enjoy won't be able to be used as social distancing cannot be maintained.

Because we have to make provision for those children already in school, there is not space for all of Reception, Year 1 and Year 6. Luckily, our parents have been really understanding. They know we are doing our best and at the end of the day, trying to keep them and their children safe.

To those going on about WW2, yes my dad was a schoolboy then and keeps telling us about how he took his gas mask blah blah. Whilst life was dangerous then with the threat of bombs, the children could all be huddled together in the air raid shelters. We can't do that now.

I am honestly sick of the teacher/school-bashing that goes on here. If it's so simple and obvious, you sort it out. Set my lessons for me remotely, chase up the missing work, mark it and give individual feedback. My internet connection has already gone down 3 times today despite being promised fibre broadband by the government which has, needless to say, failed to materialise. I'm doing my very best to keep as many people happy and comments like these make me want to just give up.