Schools should close for 2 weeks after the Christmas mixing

[OverTheRainbow88]

I think that schools should remain closed for face to face teaching 2-3 weeks after the end of the period in which Boris will allow families to all mix.

I don’t want to be in a classroom with 30 different kids 5 times a day who’ve mixed inside with all different family members and friends.

I say online learning until mid Jan, if Boris will allow us all to mix at Christmas

3252andblue spot on.

Personally I’d go for closing schools a week early, with online learning or paper packs. Maybe a skeleton staff in school for the most vulnerable and a small number of essential workers, or small socially distanced groups for exam tuition.

Certainly in primary schools there’s a reason why that week tends to be more relaxed; children are tired (and will be even more so this year with the relentless drive to catch up, not to mention the joys of sitting in a freezing classroom for weeks on end) so it’s not an ideal time for new learning.

Secondary children could have a revision week - my Y7 dd has missed nearly 4 weeks this year, so the chance to go back over the main learning in each subject would be useful.

From what is being reported today it does look as if shops, pubs and restaurants are going to be reopening to some extent. I get why this is needed to preserve jobs and the economy, but it does mean that when schools go back in January the bubble is only as safe as the family that’s done the most mixing. However careful individual families are, children will be exposed to new cases on their return.

Many of the people who can’t afford childcare if schools close in January are going to have to cover two weeks isolation regardless - and then quite likely further periods of two weeks as well.

It all comes down to a gamble - a planned closure as a firebreak, vs repeated groups off isolating. Many people who don’t believe their children will be affected will be quite happy to take that risk, while others who’ve already been through the stress and grind of repeated isolations are maybe not quite so keen.

YANBU but what would be much better is if households aren't allowed to mix over Christmas (bubbles still allowed though so people aren't left on their own if they don't want to be) and schools open as normal in January with the option for parents to take their children out before the end of term in December if they want to isolate before spending Christmas with a vulnerable relative.

@FranticBanana who gets to decide who is an essential worker though? My job is essential to me, to pay my mortgage and bills. But I can't do it from home and I'm not a key worker. I can't work if school is closed, DS can't be left alone at 7 years old. A firebreak won't stop classes having to isolate at times, it won't eliminate Covid.

If they allow restrictions to be lessened its not going to be a free for all , just 2 weeks ago we could go to the pub , go to a friends house if in lower tier , the same risks there and most that were allowed were doing
I don't think most will have a big family party xmas bit may like to have say there parents round so they aren't on there own , or both adult children home.
Allowing a small relaxation for a couple days means more control but nothing is guaranteed they have said all depends on the numbers .
I don't see loads complying at moment , took dog for walk yesterday people jogging in pairs , allowed but taking whole path up so breathing straight over the people trying to get passed them whilst they jog side by side.
2 ladies that had met up with their children ( 3 in total kids) again walking 5 width along the park , when i stopped to wait for them to move over they just stared at me,but will prob be these people saying don't let people mix for xmas , we have been following rules.
Loads of other dog walkers stood round or sat around bench on 4/5's
So if people are doing this outside what are they doing inside
Yes the risks are lower outside but non exsistent

@ZombieAttack

If I hear "but you have PPE" ill fucking scream. A surgical mask, plastic pinny and gloves does not properly protect me from covid.

I’m convinced the general public think we wear the full kit the whole time with covid patients. We don’t. We only wear it when we’re carrying out an aerosol generated procedure (I can’t speak for areas like ITU). Otherwise I am in the same surgical mask you all wear to the shops. My plastic apron must be lined with magic.

I did think that yes. Absolutely shocked to hear that's not the case.

[quote LadyPenelope68]@WillowSummerSloth
And what should those of us that are both key workers (both doctors) with young children be expected to do
So you working is ok even if it puts teachers health at risk? Nice![/quote]
But it’s a valid point. I am not allowed to work and provide childcare. It cannot be done. So what does happen if both parents work?

Although I hope you don't literally use the same mask as we all wear, I had a runny nose the other day, it must have been a bit damp when you picked it out of the bin :o

It’s easy to say we don’t need to mix at Christmas. I fully agree with that, but so many people don’t, and they will be happily mixing with family/friends over the festive period. There will be teenagers out with their mates or round at each other’s houses, partying. We all know that this shouldn’t happen, but the reality is that it will.
The issue isn’t that they shouldn’t do this (we all know this), but what is the Government going to do when they do? There will have to be a trade off for this stupidity. Can we really expect that just hospitality and non-essential shops pay the price again?

Schools must stay open.

@Solidaritea

I'm going to guess that all of those saying "we don't need to mix" don't live alone. I do. For me, mixing at Christmas is a neccesity. I'm working (teacher) and that is all I have had in my life since the beginning of September apart from the occasional zoom call. I will be mixing with my family at Christmas - about 6 people.

It's all well and good for those of you not dealing with the real isolation of living alone to call it unnecessary, but not everyone has that luxury.

If you live alone you could have been in a support bubble since May.

Yes it will increase the risk.

Teaching should go on line.

I’m very happy schools are open but would be fine with a short period of closure. However, mine aren’t in exam years (we were affected by last year’s A level fiasco) so can afford to be fairly laid back. Also, provided I can see my eldest daughter, who lives away, over Christmas and my sister can see her two boys, who also live away, we are fine not to mix together. It’s only one year.

@urbanmist exactly the majority will
Mix especially at xmas so its having some control on this and dealing with it. People aren't following that great at moment , seem groups of teenagers out even some who are meant to be isolating as school year has been sent home.
I will hope we can go visit my mum and dad so they are not alone , its nowhere near the big family xmas we normally have , so its still having an xmas but less risk .
On dec 2nd we are back to possible tiers , pubs may re open , mixing in lower tiers may be allowed.

Realistically, if school staff are mixing over Christmas, there is a good chance this may happen by default, as lots will potentially be having to self isolate at the start of term (potentially a lot of kids will too).

I agree that it would be better to just not allow mixing over Christmas beyond small bubbles for single people/the terminally ill- but it is so unlikely that anyone will stick to this and it's unenforceable.

I think the transmission risk is bigger at secondary, and closing those won't cause childcare issues. A different solution could be considered by primary schools (e.g. essential child care only with mask wearing and social distancing).

Schools have been closed enough

I think it's a completely subjective thing depending on your circumstances. The reality is we need schools open to keep shops open so shops and businesses have a chance at financially surviving the year.

For me, in my own circumstances, I would prefer it. Staff are extremely anxious at school. Two of my four children have additional needs and they are extra anxious and not coping well with one day school or open the next it's not. Our school seems to constantly have a class in isolation. Mine have missed so much school but I'm "lucky" in that my business died a death in the first lockdown (entertainment) and I'm able to home educate when they are home. Given their additional needs it's works better for them academically anyway.

We moved to live one street over from my parents because the children love them so much and pre Covid we were there most days, we are super close, my mum is very clinically vulnerable though so we don't see her and the children would happily never go to school again go be able to see them.

We lost my grandmother to "Covid" a couple of weeks back and had a few losses due to Covid as well as some very very poorly friends and neighbours including children. We live in an area that has very high number of cases but no lockdown and it's just fuelling it's way through schools are the moment. I just want them out until new year when the break would make things a bit more stable.

However, my own anxieties and feelings aren't reflective of the nations and I really feel that it would be extremely detrimental to businesses and children have lost a lot of schooling already as well as experiences. I think for the majority of children it's beneficial to keep things as close to normal as possible.

Certainly not

@OverTheRainbow88

This who aren’t planning on mixing won’t it concern you that the majority of the kids in your child’s class will have?

And yes it’s totally shit for those who won’t mix to not be in school being taught face to face, I do realise that.

I agree with you that if Boris announces a free for all then it would be a good idea to create a short school firewall after ( unless it kills off years 10 and 11 education and exam chances)

But I'm not losing sleep at all over what the other kids in my kids are up too. I cant control that and never will so it's insane to stress over it.

I have 4 kids in education, my dh works in a school. There are going to positive cases. I have underlying health conditions but either education is important or it's not. If its worrying enough to keep dh and four kids away from schools I would totally write off its importance full stop.

Education is important to me. But we are setting up lots of kids for a life dependant on benefits right now if we bin this generation off. That needs to be paid for = no public sector pay rise down the line

@StealthPolarBear

Although I hope you don't literally use the same mask as we all wear, I had a runny nose the other day, it must have been a bit damp when you picked it out of the bin :o

Hahaha hopefully it won't come to that, though we have had periods of PPE shortages meaning we have to wear the same mask for an entire 13 hour shift which is almost as gross as picking yours out of the bin - but not quite

@09:45whyarewehardofthinking thank you and a PP for highlighting that there are 1000s of students expected to sit their BTEC exams from the 1st week back, and yes whilst pre-release case studies are being issued earlier than planned Oqual/DoE have their head in the sands re advice to Pearson as to special consideration for those who are self isolating.

I've never been so worried for these students - push summer back 3 weeks, but stuff those following the super spreading season

I also think for the vast majority it won't be a huge free for all party, most people will consider the risks and balances carefully.

There will always be the reckless minority who will go OTT, but these people are already doing it lockdown or no lockdown. The tabloid press love these people though as a good clickbait story, and make it seem like the whole of Britain are like this. I really believe most aren't.

Myself I am considering VERY carefully not seeing my elderly parents even on Christmas Day, it seems a high risk being that we are on the brink of an effective vaccination programme. It would be a pity to take chances when a few weeks down the line there may be a vaccine they will be able to have. Certainly won't be having any huge knees ups!

So to predict that the whole population is going to go mad in a kind of drunken orgy for 5 days is a bit OTT in my opinion. I think the majority will be cautious.

@Thepilotlightsgoneout

I thought all this had been done to death already. Schools are always going to be the absolute last thing to close. The situation will need to be desperate before we do that again. Teachers need to get their heads round that.

Urgh.

Keep schools open but encourage everyone to have quite Christmas with own household or support bubble. It’s not a big deal except for those who might be alone.

We won't be mixing with anyone and ds who is at special school cannot be taught remotely. If they are going to do any shutting then schools need to remain open for all children with ehcps. Many of our kids don't mix with anyone anyway so would be suffering because other families want to mingle.