Is it really likely the schools will close?

[sqirrelfriends]

I've seen a few comments on other threads about schools and other childcare settings closing indefinitely to prevent the spread of Covid 19. Do you really think it's likely to happen?

I'll just add that I have seen it mentioned in the news last week but nothing since. It seems extreme and the government seem to be being rather reactive in their approach.

I think literally no one knows at this point, but its certainly a possibility that schools are preparing for.

Seeing as it's happened in loads of other EU countries (those that have higher and lower numbers of cases), I think it's highly likely. And soon! Not looking forward to the quarantive kid chaos, arghh.

Yes, because it will reduce the spread. I'd guess that at least 20% of our staff are coughing and a number of students are off sick. I know of 2 studebts from 2 families being tested.

As a school we are putting in place measures to ensure we can still educate from home and our pastoral teams are organising additional measures for our at risk students. We have also been in talks with a charity for our FSM students.

I think they will try and keep going till Easter or as close as possible. If the numbers rise much further I can see more people pulling their kids out.

I think they will keep going as close to Easter as possible, and I think it’s inevitable. I’m anTA so assume I’ll be off a week or so early but also go back a week early ... perhaps...

We just had an e mail from the high school my older 2 dc go to and it basically says that they are setting up plans to put into place should the government implements school closures.

I don't think they want to close, but the other hand they want to be prepared with work to give to students should they have to.

Yes. It's just been declared a pandemic and the WHO wants countries to step up and declare all out war on this virus.

Now it’s officially a pandemic I wouldn’t be surprised if we finished early for Easter.

a possibility that schools are preparing for

Some schools are preparing for. Other schools are trucking along as if everything is totally normal.

I work in a college and we're having daily updates and have all received briefings about teaching remotely through Teams. It's certainly going to interesting doing that with a two year old running round at home my class are going to have something to entertain them at least

I don’t think they will shut. I don’t think the government will do anything that will impact the economy and workers - the NHS will be impacted if schools are shut as NHS staff may need to stay home. I think the government is not going to do anything more than their current stance of wash your hands more and don’t breathe on anyone. I genuinely think they are reckoning a lot of elderly people will die and just think that’s that... scary but I genuinely think that. (I’m someone with a lot of autoimmune conditions so I’m quite concerned about it all).

I spoke to our school earlier - and they had heard nothing about school closure , or even preparation for it - and I live in London

@zucker that is not really what the WHO director general said! In fact he goes on to say:

Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this coronavirus. It doesn’t change what WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do

WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the number of cases outside China had increased 13-fold over the past two weeks.
He said he was "deeply concerned" by "alarming levels of inaction" over the virus.

Hardly reactive. More the opposite

No I don’t think they will close schools. The government are advising businesses to stay open even if there is a confirmed case of CV in the workplace. There are schools in UK who already have confirmed cases and are not closing for cleaning or anything else.

I believe they will implement mass closures but that a ‘skeleton staff’ may remain, providing care for those who have nowhere else to go. But anything that reduces 90% of the footfall is a good thing as schools are such hotbeds of germ spread.

My school are ensuring we have the means of putting work online etc and students can access it. We were putting work in an online folder which is hidden for now but the students will be able to access. Reissuing student with logons if they have forgotten them etc. but will take the lead from Public health, so we won't close until/if they tell us too.

I think they will add onto the easter break

My bed is that schools will close next Friday and reopen after Easter.

I am probably totally wrong.

They really should be closed already. We will regret this period of procrastination

Bet not bed

Our company is preparing for them to close next week. We do a lot of work in schools.

We have close links to government (H&S) and help make policy for our industry. The company owners seem to think it's a big possibility. He could be talking out of his arse and implying he knows something he doesnt. But since they order 200 laptops, I doubt it's just hot air.

Also impacts us as lots of people wpildnt be able to work.

I hope so. An extended Easter holiday would be lovely for them.