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 am even more confused than ever

Other measures already being planned include:
the forced requisitioning of hotels and other buildings as temporary hospitals;
the requisitioning of private hospitals as emergency hospitals;
temporary closure of pubs, bars and restaurants - some time after next weekend's ban on mass gatherings;
emergency manufacture by several companies of respirators that would be necessary to keep alive those who become acutely ill;
the closure of schools for perhaps a few weeks, but with skeleton staff kept on to provide childcare for key workers in the NHS and police.

What about the children who travel via public bus or taxi?
Does the needs of the relatively safe few outweigh the needs of the dangerously exposed many?

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

I think ALL 'scientists' are respected! So what about the other 80,000 scientists in the UK? The CSOs role is to distil scientists opinions into actionable advice.

But good on the Guardian for making a political point!

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.

I'd do it in a heartbeat. What I can't stand is the uncertainty and having to keep my child in school against my better judgment until the government decides to let me take her out without sanctions.

YgritteSnow So why haven't you? Its obviously not that important to you? I guess its even person for themselves now then!

Do you care about the older people who would be sacrificed if schools where closed?

Do you care about the older people who would be sacrificed if schools where closed?

Do you care about the ones that will be if they are not?

This discredited letter signed by a bunch of nobodies?

twitter.com/alastairjt/status/1238940672276783105?s=21

Do you care about the ones that will be if they are not?

Do you mean the fit young adults who will most likely survive the virus? So its better for our elders to die rather than some teachers potentially experience probably not a virus with symptoms like the 'flu'. really?

Zombie Sorry, I mean the children on buses or taxis who will spread that to others.
My son gets a public bus everyday with many adult passengers of all ages.

middleager And what do you think of the people who will get the virus because children aren't in school. Do you not care about them?

Why do you think you think you know better than the best scientists in the UK? Or do you think they are lying? just for fun

Do you mean the fit young adults who will most likely survive the virus? So its better for our elders to die rather than some teachers potentially experience probably not a virus with symptoms like the 'flu'. really?

Unbelievable! Teachers have old family too and lots of Grandparents do the school run. Also teachers in their 60s and Younger have conditions.

A young man in a local hospital has Facebooked at how bad he was. It isn't the flu!

I am sure you are just being goady now so will leave it there.

@Raifeesmum - would things improve if Cummins caught it? Would give him time to read a few First Aid Books 🤣😀

I for one dont believe children and parents are going to lock themselves in isolation for 4 months, we are not China

I would also do it in a heartbeat! We're facing a be in a lifetime pandemic and I'm happy to make some sacrifices.

Teachers aren’t all young and healthy! Despite the mass exodus of recent years.

I work in a school with teens.
Last week I talked about the importance of hand washing and said they could use the sink in my room any time. All of them left without washing their hands.

None of my pupils bring a pen to school so borrow. Same for pencils and other equipment.

They share drinks and food.

At the moment it’s apparently fun to cough into their hands and rub it on their friends, despite us telling them in form time about coronavirus.

The past week we had children falling ill. Some of them having to self isolate. There have been a number of confirmed cases in our area and these have links to some of our children.

The children I have seen fall I’ll, did not appear to have mild symptoms. They came into school looking and sounding awful and could barely lift their head off the desk. Yes, the symptoms might be mild compared to death, but these kids were falling really unwell.
True - might be a horrible flu rather than coronavirus...but no one is testing so who knows. We have kids with CF coming to school still.

The last two days I’ve developed a terrible headache and really sore throat. Not the symptoms to look out for, so I already know I’ll have to go in tomorrow. I just hope I haven’t already spread a virus to my own family, one of whom lives with us and is 89.

NEU have asked government why schools are open and to see their science

I’m not sure the NEU will understand the science...

Anyone worried about sending kids to school I am sure you can say you are following gov advice to self isolate for 7 days etc...

I suspect there will be lots of calls to schools tomorrow with coughs and temp. In 7 days things will have moved on considerably I suspect.

We've had some students off since half term, mostly those with severe asthma and cystic fibrosis but yes I accep class sizes to be smaller tomorrow.

*expect