AIBU to ask if you think there's a chance schools could be closed till September?

[Turmericpie]

I had assumed worse case scenario would be summer term...but it was pointed out to me tonight that if vaccinations are slow in rolling out, it could quite conceivably be September.

Thoughts?

Easter I think.

Vaccinations aren’t slow at being rolled out. They are doing really well. I think we can have hope it will be after Easter 🤞

I agree there is a chance. But hopefully they will be open after Easter.

I think it's possible, yes.

Speak to any NHS or local authority staff and they are not expecting return before September. Might just be worst-case planning, but...

Better effing not be !

As a teacher and a parent I really hope not!!

U think colleges and universities might stay predominantly online/distance learning until September but schools will have a staggered return from Easter inwards with everyone back by the May half term.

Obviously it could be September but IMO that would be the worst case scenario rather than the realistic outcome.

I think Easter, possibly before that with rotas and masks, no later.
We've vaccinated 2% of the population already, the army are doing logistics and they're pretty good at that, the government aren't trying to cream a profit off it (which was/is an issue with test and trace I think). We have 15 million vaccine doses in the country and Moderna approved today.

When the identified groups are vaccinated deaths should fall by 99%. I do think that the risk of long covid will make people cautious still and masks and distancing might be around for the rest of the year, but if they were prepared to send schools back on Monday they'll certainly send them back once the risk of death and hospitalization has reduced.

My biggest worry is that either the South African variant or another mutation appears that will be vaccine resistant. If that happens all bets are off.

I really, really hope not. I’m a headteacher of a primary school and I am desperate to have them all back in. This new lockdown is far harder than the first. Since Wednesday, about 40% of children have been attending each day with over 50% attending over the week. It’s just not fair at all to those whose parents cannot claim critical worker status.

I really did believe Boris and Gav when they said that primary schools would remain open no matter what and I am holding out for schools reopening after half term, even though this is probably highly unrealistic.

@Covidasaurus

Speak to any NHS or local authority staff and they are not expecting return before September. Might just be worst-case planning, but...

What is wrong with you? Vague threat with no facts, does misery like company??

Partial opening at least from Easter imo.

I think Easter at the latest possibly earlier. I think they can get the risk groups vaccinated by end Feb and it may take another month for death rates to drop. That is assuming no unforeseen problems such as vaccine resistant mutations

Easter. It'll be a different covid landscape in the UK by then. Restrictions will still be in place but the schools will have reopened.

Easter I'd say. Possibly for some exam classes sooner

We are kind of expecting Easter but will just have to wait and see I guess. No point worrying about it in advance

I am preparing for it to be September then if it is earlier I.can be pleasantly surprised!

I think Boris wants schools open but was leant on to shut them. So I think he might start opening them up again in February perhaps with more testing, ppe, maybe on off schedules... I don't think he wanted to do these things before, but he might have to try them if he wants schools back open.
Alot of keyworker children are in, putting the teachers at risk still, might help the local coronavirus rates but it won't help the actual teachers. Hopefully any vulnerable teachers will be vaccinated before schools open up fully but I think the kids will at some point be left to just catch it if they aren't vaccinating under 16s anytime soon

I hope not. One of the teaching assistants at dc's school said they were hoping for a return after the Feb half term

Why the fuck is this not in the Covid Secrion. Some of us don't want to see your doom and gloom in the title!!

Please Mnet HQ moves this ASAP! Some of us are trying to look after our mental health!!!!

If people carry on flouting the rules, as many seem to be doing, then I would definitely say it’s likely to be September.

@Covidasaurus

Speak to any NHS or local authority staff and they are not expecting return before September. Might just be worst-case planning, but...

I don't know any NHS staff who think this 🤔

September? I really hope not! Boris said that schools will be one of the first things opening up. After Easter hopefully

I'd be very surprised if we don't see a reopening of schools after February half term. September will be the worst possible time to reopen, they made that mistake this time and look what happened. If the idea is the flatten the rates then they need to reopen Easter at the latest and be prepared to close again in November (worst case scenario that the vaccine totally fails which it won't)