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?

With the 7 day isolation advice you may see schools shutting anyway due to staff shortages

Well, I suppose it depends on what Boris is advised to do by his mentor Dominic Cummings.

(Although I doubt that between them the pair of 'em they don't even have a First-Aid certificate by way of a medical qualification!)

Does anyone genuinely think that a petition to close schools will make the slightest impact on this? It’s a serious situation with intense planning by scientists and experts, not an episode of strictly where you get to vote for your favourite course of action.

I think pressure from the public will make them need to change tactics yes.

Don't have much faith in petitions alone, sadly.

However people are getting very angry. The government is going to have to take heed of that.

However people are getting very angry. The government is going to have to take heed of that.

They didn't take any heed of it when we had huge marches against prorouging (and I really can't be bothered to look up the spelling of that) Parliament!

I really now just want the Govt to come out and say "look if you want to keep your kids at home - on your head be it, we're not going to go after schools for attendance right now" and also "if companies can start to arrange home working and taking things online - that would be good" instead of wanting us to play fucking Germ Pokemon and catch them all.

People who are getting angry about schools not shutting can just take their kid out of school and isolate at home.

Noble what if they also work in a school?..

Kuponut I agree.

Where I work it's a mixed bag. Some people do want to take dc out of, some don't want too.

Noble theres several people at my work planning to do just that from monday.

We work in a school.

Since when do our government take heed when people get angry.

They do what they want. We do nothing.

I'm involved with a local private primary school.

There's a groundswell of feeling among the parents that Something Must Be Done. I'm not sure they've fully worked it out, but closure would certainly be Doing Something.

I suspect we're all going to get it anyway, might as well carry on. But there will be centers of infection, and inevitably some schools will be identified as such. The subsequent blame-fest could destroy the school. Little choice, really.

Noble what if they also work in a school?

Then they find childcare for their kids like people who don’t work in a school would have to if they close?

If they work in a school and want schools to close because they don’t want to catch it then are they also happy for doctors and supermarkets and everywhere else to close because their workers don’t want to catch it?

I'm able to keep my DS off school so I'm seriously considering it regardless of what BJ says.

That’s fine Morgan but you’ll be stuck in your house for the foreseeable future if you want to stop him getting it.

This virus has not even been mentioned at our school. Nothing apart from a few new hand washing posters on the walls. All the children were in today.
Everyone seems in denial about how bad it could get I think. Or they think they will be immune?
I met someone today who works in a local care home and she was quite blasé about it all even though it's on lockdown as a precaution. My sons g/ f is a nurse and even she said ' it'll be fine' !
I admire their optimism: maybe it won't be as bad ? I'm not so sure and panicking about it is probably useless I suppose!

DD's primary school in Hampshire has sent home a working from home pack today.
It's very much worded "when" the school closes, not if.

Work to be saved for day 1 and 2 of closure and we go from there.

My son’s prep have communicated regularly and very clearly over the last few weeks. They are preparing for shutdown before Easter. School play postponed, fixtures cancelled, books sent home. My personal view is that shutdown should be post Easter when cases rise over the holidays.

My personal view is that shutdown should be post Easter when cases rise over the holidays.

If cases rise over the school holidays then doesn't that suggest that shutting schools isn't helping?

My personal view is that shutdown should be post Easter when cases rise over the holidays

We have a very loose idea of when this ‘peak rise’ will hit given we’re not testing anyone not admitted to hospital.

Doesn’t fill me with confidence, does it you?

They've said they want as many people infected as possible to create heard immunity so who knows what they going to do next

Does anyone really believe that - if schools close - the kiddies will virtuously sit at home for 14 days playing computer games, reading comics and helping with the household chores? Will they hell!

First chance they get they'll be crowding into the nearest MacDonalds and the shopping malls - just like they do when it snows a wee bit and schools close for safety reasons.

First chance they get they'll be crowding into the nearest MacDonalds and the shopping malls - just like they do when it snows a wee bit and schools close for safety reasons.

Only if you allow them to do these things!

I've got two teens who understand the risks of the virus and, more importantly, have exams coming up.

First chance they get they'll be crowding into the nearest MacDonalds and the shopping malls - just like they do when it snows a wee bit and schools close for safety reason

Still has an affect as the obvious swine flu example shows.

But yes they will have work to do at home!

Screw the teachers and their families . They mix with 1200 kids in a small area with limited hand washing

We are assuming that all kids have nice warm safe homes to study in. There are families who can’t afford to heat their homes or feed their kids during the day. There are kids who get abused at home and see school as their safe space. What happens with these kids?

First chance they get they'll be crowding into the nearest MacDonalds and the shopping malls

Really? Would parents allow that? I would hope that my kids understand the importance of protecting the more vulnerable people in society.

I don't think that's happened in Italy or China either...!