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?

There seems to me to be little point closing schools unless you insist that those children are then kept indoors.

Keeping them off school but doing the rounds of playgrounds, soft-plays, libraries, supermarkets and the public transport network defeats the object, surely?

The Canadian province of Ontario has just announced schools will be closed from March 14 to April 5. Ontario (population 15 million) has 60 cases of the virus.

Heaven knows what parents are going to do for child care.

What happens if schools close- children are looked after by grandparents. Children more at risk of spreading this to them. It's just not sensible right now to shut schools.

Nearly half a million signatures on the UK online petition to close schools.

Well I live in Greece which has less cases then UK but still enough to worry. They've shut down all schools, cinemas, theatres etc most likely until Easter. Kids are advised to limit all social contact. People and the government are taking it extremely seriously and most people can't understand Boris' relaxed attitude. I say listen to yourselves not the government.. all they care about is how much money they're going to lose.

I heard today that one of our managers has said we need to start pooling in childcare if schools close as the expectation will be that we are at work.

Doesn't that defeat the purpose of closing the schools? If children are still going to socialise and be cared for in groups then wouldn't they be better off at school?

I'm not massively in favour of School’s closing because I work with some of our most socially vulnerable children and I know how badly they'll suffer if they're left at home for a prolonged time. I have a small group so will FaceTime each one daily but it's still not the same.

@tinierclanger I get 5 days paid leave the rest would have to be unpaid but that is unsustainable for an extended period of time.

@ohcarriemathison we haven’t been told this, I know they are starting to look at what to do should this happen but I don’t know where I would find pooled childcare? I live in a ruralish area of Scotland!

@TheCountessatHotelCortez
I'm also in Scotland and both my parents have underlying health problems plus my mum works full-time and my in-laws live an 80 mile round trip away and are elderly.
I would be completely stuck so not sure what I would do ?
I'm also worried about Boris Johnson's blaze attitude.
I visit in the community and go from house to house but just been told to wear a mask and use hand gel.

If they close schools then presumably they may need to tell all Ofsted registered childcare to close. So there may not be any holiday clubs as back up.

I think airports/ferries should have been clised weeks ago. Schools/sports events should be closed/cancelled NOW

I really feel Boris is taking the stance that's best for the economy rather than what's best for the population. Hopefully he will see sense soon.

There's rumours that they're going to close schools near me on Monday. I think that's the councils decision though.

"the economy" has a massive impact on the population though - who's going to provide basic care for the elderly vulnerable while the staff who normally do it are at home looking after their own kids? who's going to make sure the kids from the poorest families get at least one meal a day? how many lorry drivers is it ok to have taken off the roads? how many food shops do we allow to close?

whether it's the right decision or not, it's based on predicted behaviours - and they will vary from country to country.

All decisions are made based on what would have the maximum effect on delaying the peak of the virus. Also they want to lower the peak, so that there are fewer critical ill people at the same time.

Honestly people! Flatten the curve. Have a look on twitter.

They are doing their best to time things for maximum affect and also ensure maximum cooperation. So they are telling us ahead what might happen. We just need to listen and do what we are told when we are told.

Someone on newsnight was saying we need to behave in a way to stop other people getting it from us. Rather than trying to stop ourselves from getting it. So we are acting to protect the most vulnerable in the way that we behave.

....That’s why stock piling alcohol gel was totally unnecessary because you need everyone to keep their hands clean.

I see your point @Sturmundcalm, closing schools is only one of the many things that could be done to slow the spread. I think they should have at least canceled large gatherings but it hasn't been done, and in my opinion it's because of cost.

I work at a school and we wont be closing until we are forced to. Unless you close cafes, cinemas, play areas, ice cream palours etc its pointless

@janj2301 me too although I understand that would likely of been delaying the inevitable.

Someone on newsnight was saying we need to behave in a way to stop other people getting it from us. Rather than trying to stop ourselves from getting it. So we are acting to protect the most vulnerable in the way that we behave

My rational side understands this but my irrational side just doesn’t agree.

It’s all very well to say self-isolate for colds and coughs but in reality my work (office based NHS ironically) isn’t actually supportive of this at the moment. I also don’t think the wider public is, I’ve friends who think I’m being ridiculous limiting unnecessary outings etc. and pulling some proper faces over it. Peer pressure exists in all age groups and as an adult that has consequences financially and socially.

One of my issues with the governments current response is that it’s just not striking a cord with people. Even saying people will die doesn’t shake them out of ‘it won’t happen to me’ mode.

bringing the Easter school holidays (not Easter itself) forward could make sense IMHO.

@Cornettoninja I've felt the same about work, we've been told officially not to come in if we have any respiratory symptoms, however my line manager told to come in even with a cough. When this progressed to a fever and chest pains (and I was signed off) I was made to feel bad by a colleague for "self isolating" - not what I was doing at all.

Some people are just digging their heads in the sand. The "I'm alright Jack" mentally is really starting to annoy me.

@sqirrelfriends, it’s really hard isn’t it? I’ve cancelled visiting a friend and her new baby because dd (preschooler) seems a bit off and although I don’t have any ‘official’ symptoms my office is the thoroughfare first countless clinicians who share a kitchen toilets etc.

You’d have thought I’d said I was cancelling because her and her baby bored me. I thought/think I’m doing the right thing

I sincerely hope that everyone who thinks I’m overreacting has reason to say that it the months to come. I’d like to think they’d see in retrospect it was the right thing to do but they won’t.

I think these threads five a skewed perception of the public mood.

I was out with a large group of parents last night and no-one thought the schools should close.

It makes no sense. People aren’t thinking it through. Unless they want the schools to close so they can isolate their own child? Maybe that’s it.

Unless you enforce a total shutdown of public spaces, public transport, retail, entertainment - everything - there is no point whatsoever in closing schools.

Shutdown may well happen. But not next week, it’s too soon. People will only cooperate for a short time and you have to choose that time wisely.

In Belgium all schools are shut from Monday until 3rd April, which is when the Easter Holiday starts. Schools are meant to provide childcare for those who need it. No-one is to rely on grandparents. Also, all cafes, bars, restaurants etc are to shut. Shops must close at the weekend apart from groceries/pharmacies. These measures are meant to avoid a lockdown!

We’ve been told that the school may close a week before and after Easter holiday ie a full month shutdown, if cases continue to rise significantly

Greece here, too. Schools have been closed since Wednesday. Supposedly for 14 days, but that's the optimistic scenario, likely to last longer. Gyms/theaters/clubs/soft play etc shut as well this week. We have been instructed to avoid any sort of gathering and stay home as much as possible, especially children.