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Original poster

Time to close the schools

999 replies

PaddyF0dder · 08/03/2020 06:49

I can’t believe I’m saying this. I’m a dad to 3 very young boys. Our eldest is nearly 6 and is on the spectrum. Our twins are nearly 3. They’re hard work when they’re stuck in the house. I also work as a doctor in the NHS. Closing the schools would be a nightmare for us.

I think we need to do it, and do it early.

Watching how this virus is spreading, seeing how harmful it’s been in other countries, reading the stats on transmission, burned on healthcare etc... closing schools and nurseries really seems to be the most logical step.

The UK is at a turning point. We’re entering the stage of sustained transmission. We may already be too late. But we might still have time to enact draconian measures early as opposed to late. Closing school and nurseries. Limiting travel around the country. It seems inevitable that these things will happen, but doing it early might save the lives of the sick and vulnerable.

I honestly don’t know how my family will cope with it. We have absolutely no family support re childcare. We both work hard jobs in the NHS. I wish there was a better option. But the more I look at the facts of this outbreak, the more obvious it gets.

We need to reduce viral transmission. There are many ways, and all must be done. One such way is to close schools and nurseries. We need to do it now.

OP posts:
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Booboostwo · 09/03/2020 19:15

This virus is not containable. This was evident right from the beginning from the CDC's clarification. In terms of its ease for spreading it is like measles in an unvaccinated population with no immunity - basically almost everyone gets it. If 1 person has measles up to 90% of those around them also get it. This virus is similar in terms of how contagious it is.

PurpleCrocus2020 · 09/03/2020 19:15

After seeing the updates from WHO organisation today ,I don't believe our government is acting in our best interests.

I completely agree with you. The schools should have been shut and areas locked down. Look at China, hospitals are emptying and new cases have drastically fallen.

Gwenhwyfar · 09/03/2020 19:16

"All passengers coming from hotspots should be tested and quarantined. "

I think that should have happened earlier. It might be too late now as it's being transmitted among the population here who have not just come back from hotspots.

TheMemoryLingers · 09/03/2020 19:21

I have a horrible feeling this will be too little, too late. I was at work today and there seemed to be lots of people with what you might call 'cold symptoms' - as there always are in winter, of course - but it only takes one of them to have something more sinister and everyone will have it (huge office complex housing several thousand employees). They should be telling people to stay at home now if they have any symptoms.

TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 09/03/2020 19:30

The complacency on this thread worries me. Just been watching stuff from Italy. 9000cases, young people on ventilators, running out of ventilators etc. And we have the chance to stop this, and they won’t.

Italy has the best healthcare system in the world. They are swamped. Imagine the NHS...

ListeningQuietly · 09/03/2020 19:37

Italy has the best healthcare system in the world.
on what do you base that statement ?

cultkid · 09/03/2020 20:41

Whole heartedly agree with you OP

It will be really tough, but I am so scared about it making us all very very ill.
The uk don't have enough ICU beds.
Italy has more then the UK and it is having to decide who's life to save

I despair if we all get sick
I will have to go to Switzerland to my parents if things become any worse

fascinated · 09/03/2020 20:57

It’s perhaps not the undisputed best but I agree with pp that it is certainly very very good! (The Italian healthcare system)

TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 09/03/2020 20:59

Here

Time to close the schools
MrsNoah2020 · 10/03/2020 04:13

The complacency on this thread worries me.

I don't think there is complacency. You don't need to believe the more pessimistic projections to be worried about the NHS' capacity to manage even a relatively small increase in demand. I don't expect large numbers to die from CV-19, but I am concerned about the knock-on effect on other healthcare, eg delays in cancer treatments. Those could well kill more people.

There is debate about the most effective measures. Closing schools comes with downsides, including potential unintended consequences. That doesn't mean we should ignore CV-19. I think we should stop football matches (or play without the crowd) and the Cheltenham Festival, for example. And cancel non-essential surgery. Schools help us to maintain the infrastructure of normal life that assists with responding to crises like CV-19, but leisure events are optional and should be stopped IMO.

Ricekrispie22 · 10/03/2020 05:50

Why are we still in the ‘contain’ phase when it’s pretty obvious it’s not working?!

0DimSumMum0 · 10/03/2020 06:03

I think Rory Stewart is absolutely correct. This government is more concerned about the effect it will have on the economy not the vulnerable people getting sick and dying. Having flights still landing from high risk areas without the simplest of checks is absolutely irresponsible and neglectful.

FourTeaFallOut · 10/03/2020 06:24

Am I too hopeful to think that we will move to delay with the reading of the budget on Wednesday. I mean, logistically, if they say they will do x, y and z then people will ask, how the fuck do we afford that and it all gets a bit backside first and rather messy?

Blondephantom · 10/03/2020 06:45

If they decide schools need to shut, surely the impact on the economy can be reduced. They could shut schools for whatever time scale is needed then start the summer holidays later. It would avoid the need for teachers to set work to be done at home too. Exam dates could be pushed back. It would not solve all the problems with schools closing but at least working parents wouldn't have more time to find cover for.

I hope they are making these decisions in the best interests of the people and not their politics.

nellodee · 10/03/2020 06:48

I’m starting to worry that Boris plan is just to buy some water cannons and house us down. Or maybe we could all wear some posies grown in his garden bridge to avert the plague. Or maybe he could give a grant to one of his mistresses and she could sort it all out.

FourTeaFallOut · 10/03/2020 06:48

They could allow those who are able to take their children out of school without penalty. It would keep the doors open for essential workers and making their children safer by reducing the density of the school population. How hard would that be?

MarieQueenofScots · 10/03/2020 06:54

They could allow those who are able to take their children out of school without penalty

It would be interesting to see out of a class how many parents are able financially without childcare.

FourTeaFallOut · 10/03/2020 07:01

It might not be the same as in usual times mariequeen. Lots of people who are office workers are being asked to work from home, the Sahps might take in the children in the wider family if relations are good - I wfh and I'd take in my nieces, the unemployed won't be expected to job hunt in this climate - at least I bloody hope not.

ScorpionQueen · 10/03/2020 07:03

Many teachers are working parents too. There's only so much moving of holidays I'd be able to manage because of my own childcare arrangements. Not being selfish but teachers aren't robots and what if we or our loved ones get ill?

MrsNoah2020 · 10/03/2020 07:03

Why are we still in the ‘contain’ phase when it’s pretty obvious it’s not working?!

It is working. That's why the UK, which had its first positive tests around the same time as Italy, has had a fraction of the cases so far. The contain phase will not work indefinitely, but just slowing the spread rate will greatly reduce the impact.

RancidOldHag · 10/03/2020 07:04

"They could allow those who are able to take their children out of school without penalty. It would keep the doors open for essential workers and making their children safer by reducing the density of the school population. How hard would that be?"

Logistically, it wouid be very easy, but keeping learning going wouid be quite challenging. Very demanding on teachers, who would have to provide classroom learning, online and other remote options simultaneously. And have no realistic means to chivvy or inspire those who are not in school.

I would be concerned for what that would mean for teenagers

fedup21 · 10/03/2020 07:05

It is working. That's why the UK, which had its first positive tests around the same time as Italy, has had a fraction of the cases so far.

Or is it more to do with a distinct lack of testing here!?

Totallycluelessoverhere · 10/03/2020 07:09

fourteafallout I fully expect the unemployed will be sanctioned if the don’t continue job hunting. I reckon even in lockdown they would be expected to internet search jobs and do whatever they can from home for at least 35 hours each week or face sanction. This Govt would probably like to see the unemployed die so that they can lower the unemployment figures and tell us what a fantastic job they are doing of reducing unemployment and benefit payouts.

FourTeaFallOut · 10/03/2020 07:18

Very demanding on teachers, who would have to provide classroom learning, online and other remote options simultaneously. And have no realistic means to chivvy or inspire those who are not in school.

I don't think teachers should have to plug the gap for those children. Parents could make their own decision about how they could accept or mitigate the educational hit but I don't think teachers should have to take on the role to educate children who were taken out voluntarily. It's arrogance to think otherwise.

Maythelordopen1 · 10/03/2020 07:19

If schools shut or businesses shut OF COURSE they are not going to give out fines!!! How unfair would that be!!

The Irish government has already committed to paying EVERYONE who is not entitled to a contractual dick leave payment or if they are self employed to a payment of over 200€ a week. (For 2 weeks at first!) our department of education has announced that ALL school staff will continue to get paid regardless!!