Prime minister announcement at 12

[Hugglespuffed]

Is it going to be drastic changes? Or just 'work at home if you can'?

but @genevieva isn't this a way of doing it stealthy?

I think it’s important to have confidence in the civil service and the experts. We are fortunate to have them - we don’t have a US style rotating administration. We have a permanent expert civil service. Boris and all the others will be taking advice from them not telling them what to do.

I've only just got home. Is there an update?

If the Tories let the old people die, who'll vote for them at the next election?

the older ones that survived & are more scared of losing their "wealth" as their numbers have reduced plus they will probably put the blame on the older people who did die as they were feckless not to self isolate etc.

"Close schools but ask some young, healthy teachers to volunteer (paid) to run classes/childcare for kids with parents who work in essential roles (NHS/food supply chain)?"

This is what I keep saying, and don't understand why that doesn't seem an obvious solution.

still waiting...

Boris and all the others will be taking advice from them not telling them what to do.

I wish I shared your confidence. I have a suspicion that Johnson takes advice from Cummings, who hates the civil service and will advise the opposite of whatever they suggest. I hope I'm wrong.

Thanks for posting that piece of advice saying don't worry, pray and trust in God. Helpful.

We've taken our daughter out of school and are both working from home. It just isn't worth the risk. We are lucky to be able to do that, and hopefully if all those who can stay at home do, it will reduce the risks for everyone. We've told school we are self-isolating and they seem happy with that.

The Daily Express now saying all schools to close next Friday 20th March.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1254138/coronavirus-uk-school-closures-easter-half-term-uk-coronavirus-news

@Skyejuly nope, not yet.

to run classes/childcare for kids with parents who work in essential roles

well, maybe because some NHS employees see that as a way of allowing their kids to remain at risk while everyone else's kids are tucked up safely at home.

Besides, who is essential? You coudol argue that for ever.

I am a former civil servant. At times like this they do. Cummings won’t be interested.

@StormyClouds

That's crap. The express are saying 'likely to' and 'expected to' not 'to close'

well, maybe because some NHS employees see that as a way of allowing their kids to remain at risk while everyone else's kids are tucked up safely at home.

Their kids, and everyone's kids, would be much safer than keeping schools open to everyone.
The govt would decide what roles are essential.

If you closed the primary and all classes bar GCSE and A level at secondary level, surely that would help somewhat. It is difficult because parents depend on school to care for them in term time so they can work.

Sky News said may be a press conference later with Boris and science guys

The express are just rehashing what the other outlets have been saying all day. None of it is definiteZ

Seems fairly unequivocal to me

"BORIS JOHNSON is set to announce the closure of all UK schools this afternoon"

I think this idea that the government will just say 'tough luck' to exam students and leave them with no qualifications is a nonsense.

There will be contingency plans in place, whether that be using coursework/mock grades or teacher predictions. DC will not simply be left with nothing.

The Express are notorious for sensationalism and rumour spreading.

I don't think the schools will close, but I've got a feeling university's will and people will be told to 'WFH if you can'.

If you closed the primary and all classes bar GCSE and A level at secondary level, surely that would help somewhat.

Another good idea. The fewer people/kids moving around the better. Limit it to those who have to, because they have exams or their parents have an essential role.

That would lower risk for everyone including those with exams coming up.

Also if A level students sat exams later and the unis took in the first years in January rather than September that would help in so many ways. No more rushing the day the A level results came out. Unis could see solid results rather than hopeful results. Students could set more money aside for college. It would sort out uni. education in one swoop. I know the unis will suffer when the money is a term later arriving but to be honest it makes sense.

Sky News have just said the Cobra meeting has wrapped up and there will be an announcement "a little bit later on".

@Stormyclouds

Unequivocal?

It's just some pish the express are suggesting. They have no idea what decision will be taken today. The list of possibilities has been doing the rounds of the shit news outlets all day with 'likely' and 'possibly' and 'might' but ultimately they don't have a clue.