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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think that schools can't return to normal while social distancing remains?

280 replies

LockdownLoppy · 18/06/2020 08:43

So many people want schools back to normal in September but how can they be? Even if social distancing was reduced to 1 meter it's still going to be a logistic nightmare for schools to manage and a long way from normal.
I have a child in year 10 and a child in year 7 who attends a special school due to autism and severe learning difficulties. They will both have a few check-in sessions in the last few weeks of term but it's going to be a world away from normal.
People are demanding the full reopening of schools but I just can't see how it can be done - do they just want to end all social distancing in schools and return to normal?
AIBU to think we can't have social distancing and schools open and working at full capacity?

OP posts:
walker1891 · 19/06/2020 00:06

I know but it seems odd why children are expected to wear them in one setting and discouraged in another. Where both require others to be close to them, surely the rules should be the same across the board and if children can wear them in one setting, there is no excuse for most children to wear one (minus the obvious SEN etc).

Lancrelady80 · 19/06/2020 01:02

I know, makes little sense.

My best guesses:

  1. Guidance put out before opinions on face masks anywhere changed, and now they don't want to backtrack.
  1. Don't want SEN children to be so visible by not wearing something all others are expected to.
  1. They know some children/parents will refuse and/or can't afford masks.
  1. They know for some masks will be a wonderful distraction and lead to "who's got the coolest/most belonged up mask."
  1. It's all about promoting "school is entirely safe, no worries here" regardless of how true that may or may not be.
Lancrelady80 · 19/06/2020 01:03

blinged up mask

Goosefoot · 19/06/2020 01:23

Why are British children unable to wear masks, when primary children in other countries wear them ?

There isn't really any information that tells us they wear them effectively. It's not just having them on that's the issue, you have to avoid touching them, change them, etc.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 19/06/2020 01:44

Waxonwaxoff0

@LegallyBlue yes, but we're talking about children dying. If children were dropping dead in Sweden it would be all over the news.

Ah that’s ok, children are not dying (some children are dying but let’s skirt over that will we Hmm) but their teachers, parents and family members are dying!

Why are we just concentrating on “deaths” child are getting Covid, yes they may not be dying but some are seriously ill with pneumonia (my 8 year old cousin, currently in HDU) and some in ICU.

Yes children are at lesser risk of death, however they are getting ill from Covid.

Schools will go back in sept, however it will be done in a safe way even if that means kids only go back once or twice a week.

walker1891 · 19/06/2020 06:02

My mask will be the most blinged up!!! Well not bling but it will be a distraction for a while with the design but I think that makes it more child friendly for my class. I am sure long term that the school could ask the uniform suppliers to make them in the school colours so they can be bought in by the school and washed.

Children can manage to put them on when they are shown correctly, we give children far less credit than they deserve to be able to manage them. Funnily enough we also haven't been shown how to put on/take off PPE either so we could be doing it wrong.

For me, it is the unknown long term health impact of covid for children. We do not know what this can cause long term or if it does but how can we be sure that in 5 years time we do not have a bunch of children with severe lung issues or heart issues as a result? Kids could be fine in 5 years or they might not be? We can't be sure. I think we are treating it with a bit of contempt when we are not yet aware of the whole picture. No one can say that it doesn't cause long term issues in children as we don't know that just yet and I think it would be naive to assume it doesn't and I think that not protecting children with masks etc could turn into a situation later where we have lots of children with ill health long term which were unforeseen.

Davincitoad · 19/06/2020 06:39

There is no reason why our kids can’t wear masks it’s the media propaganda against them tha causes the issue

Look at all the children abroad wearing them fine. This bizarre idea that they become covered in virus as if it is attracted to them is ridiculous. More and more evidence is that surface contact isn’t the main means of spread of covid. If everyone wore a face covering less viral particles would make their way into surfaces. Wash hands before and after putting on. Easy. This country is such a pathetic nation with everyone having an excuse, the reason why we will still be fighting this for months to come.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 19/06/2020 07:03

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend I didn't say it didn't matter that adults were dying. The conversation was specifically about children dying.

cochineal7 · 19/06/2020 07:07

The way they do it in Holland is that the kids within their class don’t need to social distance from each other, only from the adults, and the adults also between themselves. Playtimes are staggered as are drop off and pick up times. Kids with signs of cold etc must be kept home. All closely monitored by the government for increase in cases. So far, there only has been one school that had staff fall ill (with no evidence if this came from the kids or the outside).

TimeForLunch · 19/06/2020 08:45

SD doesn't need to be dropped for the adults in school, just the children. It's not all or nothing so I don't know why some posters are getting hysterical about teachers being thrown to the wolves. It's no different for them than someone working in a shop.

Aragog · 19/06/2020 08:47

That's what is happening within our bubbles. Up to 15 with two adults per class. Desks spaced out to avoid having to have barrier shields between them but not 2m apart. Own pots fir equipment, etc, but when moving around and playing they aren't SD, and when playing outdoor in their section of playground they aren't SD within the bubbles. The staff try to but our rooms are pretty small so it's really hard. Even at 1m we'd only fit in up to about 20 max I'd think. We don't really have any more furniture we can remove from the rooms and I can't see the lea wanting to rip out the new fitted storage cupboards which also house the white boards, sink units, etc.

To have 30 in a class will def mean no SD at all for staff or children, whether in a classroom or in corridors or playground.

Appuskidu · 19/06/2020 08:49

SD doesn't need to be dropped for the adults in school, just the children. It's not all or nothing so I don't know why some posters are getting hysterical about teachers being thrown to the wolves. It's no different for them than someone working in a shop.

What are you suggesting? Have children back 30 to a class as ‘normal’ but adults to stay 2m or 1m apart from the children/other adults?

Aragog · 19/06/2020 08:51

But it's almost impossible for the adults to SD in many schools too. Narrow corridors, limited restricted space around desks, the sharing of equipment, the limited staff toilet areas, etc.

We do have to just accept that it isn't possible for children or adults, and not pretend that it is. So we accept that when in school no one will be SDing really, regardless of age. Then we can weigh up the risks and make a decision.

Our local shops and supermarkets have screens separating the staff from the customers at tills, and those in the store itself have gloves and masks on. They are restricting numbers and have one way systems and dots indicating distancing.

Raaaa · 19/06/2020 08:56

Well September is a few months away so it could go either way. I think we should start September new slate full time and if that means scrapping SD so be it

Lynda07 · 19/06/2020 08:58

Things may well be a lot better by September. Don't worry about it now, wait and see.

TimeForLunch · 19/06/2020 09:07

@Appuskidu yes, that is what I am suggesting. I realise this will not be possible at all times, just like it isn't at the supermarket where people squeeze past each other in narrow isles. However, it should be achievable most of the time.

Appuskidu · 19/06/2020 09:12

yes, that is what I am suggesting. I realise this will not be possible at all times

No, what you are suggesting means SD will not be possible at ANY time. Classrooms are too small.

TimeForLunch · 19/06/2020 09:28

The ones I've been in both through work as a TA and as a parent at several different schools have been.

TimeForLunch · 19/06/2020 09:37

*have had enough space for an adult to remain a metre or 2 away from the children, I mean. Classrooms are often small, true, but no so much that the teacher would be squashed up against a wall to SD from the children!

Ruralteacher · 19/06/2020 09:58

@Fedup21

Many people seem to want social distancing in their own workplaces (or long term working from home) and when out and about to keep themselves safe.

They want schools to go back as normal, however, with no social distancing at all-including wraparound care and clubs, mixing with huge numbers of children and staff!

Safety is obviously very important for their workplace, but not for those working in a school...

Quite.
sirfredfredgeorge · 19/06/2020 10:00

Things may well be a lot better by September. Don't worry about it now, wait and see.

No, don't do this, this was the fuck up that got us to this place, people believed the schools, local authorities and government assertions that schools would have teaching this term.

Had people not waited to see, and trusted the schools information they would have had a chance to make everyone better informed, to have avoided more of the cost of no-schooling. Waiting and seeing is not the right thing to do, demand better, demand to know the information and options behind every decision.

Lynda07 · 19/06/2020 10:07

Ok sirfred, you're probably right.

Ruralteacher · 19/06/2020 10:14

Is 30 the legal limit for classes in England and/or Wales? I keep seeing it quoted. My school is 33 to a class and 25 in composites (Scottish maximum class sizes). We only have 1 composite and all the rest are maximum 33 apart from 2 which are also over 30...15 classes in the school in total. Packed in like sardines. When I go into the upper classes it takes me to spot the teacher in amongst all the scarily tall pupils Wink

Appuskidu · 19/06/2020 10:18

Is 30 the legal limit for classes in England and/or Wales?

Capped at 30 for ks1, unless you are forced to admit extras for one of numerous reasons! We often do.

No cap on ks2 though-I once had 38!

Ruralteacher · 19/06/2020 10:24

@Appuskidu

Is 30 the legal limit for classes in England and/or Wales?

Capped at 30 for ks1, unless you are forced to admit extras for one of numerous reasons! We often do.

No cap on ks2 though-I once had 38!

38? Shock. Last time I had 38 we were team teaching and had 2 teachers in class at all times - that was an ace year! On my own, not quite so much fun......