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 don’t understand your comment, Jane, what model was the initial model?

When they drew the model on the news of a 4 week iso, an 8 week iso and then a second peak if it went on any longer.

Can’t comment on that graph as I haven’t seen it but even if the second peak isn’t as high, it still represents an overloaded NHS.

School staff should not be regarded as expendable just to keep schools open.

I agree with that also.

If they shut parliament to protect MPs you might have an argument to shut schools to protect teachers. But at the moment I can’t see why we deserve special treatment.

If they shut parliament to protect MPs you might have an argument to shut schools to protect teachers. But at the moment I can’t see why we deserve special treatment.

For the hygiene issues, hand washing, packed corridors 6 times a day the general grottiness that has been mentioned many times. The purple pens of germs.

No way in parliament is there that level of dirt.

Did you not see last week’s headlines about shutting down parliament? MPs having to travel across the country and interact with the public in surgeries etc. Plus lots of meetings.

Nadine Dorries for example seems to have got about a bit.

Not saying its not bad either but honestly you will just have to take my word for it or not. Up to you.

I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be taking your word on

Re childcare for Nhs workers. Non critical admissions and routine work will be cancelled, this will free up employees ie back office staff who could provide childcare onsite during frontline workers shifts.
These are unprecedented times, a way will be found, it may be different, but it will be found. Be positive

That soumss a better idea.

I think many people are becoming very selfish, Lord of the Flies style, every person for themselves.

Do people think that if you close schools the virus is just going to say 'bye, bye' and leave the country? It will be waiting until the schools reopen, retaliating with a massive peak at the start of winter to cause even more deaths in an unprotected country.

I for one dont believe children and parents are going to lock themselves in isolation for 4 months, we are not China. Right now schools are the safest place for most children and the country.

@zombieFan why do you think so many countries are opting to close schools? Do you think think they are wrong?

Depends on what you mean by 'wrong'. Some will be shutting them for the right reasons at the right time, like Italy. Some will be shutting them just to look like they are doing something like Ireland, irrelevant of the damage it does.

I hope we follow the former and not the latter.

@user1471439240 and how will that work for the likes of myself who work in district nursing and nearest hospital is 30-40 mins away?

I for one dont believe children and parents are going to lock themselves in isolation for 4 months, we are not China. Right now schools are the safest place for most children and the country.

Boris is that you?

Boris is that you

I dont think Boris has anything to do with this. Its the advice of the top science and medical officers in the UK. I wish people would stop using this pandemic for political reasons. Pathetic.

dont think Boris has anything to do with this. Its the advice of the top science and medical officers in the UK. I wish people would stop using this pandemic for political reasons. Pathetic.

Nothing to do with politics. Move a long heard.

@ZombieFan do you think other countries have based their decision on their 'top science and medical officers' and if so why are they so different in their approach? Which country is being political?

Herd! Ugh!

@jewel1968 I have already said I think some countries are doing things just to look like they are doing things.
Sometimes a global pandemic just cant be stopped, it has to be managed. Its just not politically correct to say that.

some

' most'

Closing schools with relatively low cases will help few people so better to let people live normally as long as possible and then close when it has more effect

The goal is to reduce the peak infections maximum at any one time disrupting the peak so it spreads over a slightly longer period so that our professionals can help more people.

It has dangers but its a strategy that is thought out, compared to the knee-jerk close everything approach in other countries.

What about the children who travel via public bus or taxi?
This never gets mentioned, but that's superspreaders on buses or the risk of kids getting into cabs that may have just transported a CV positive passenger.

Not all kids walk to a nearby school.

Its the advice of the top science and medical officers in the UK

Really? Is that why 245 respected scientists think the UK govt are failing signally in their responsibility to the people?

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/14/scientists-urge-government-to-enforce-social-distancing-now