Cobra meeting? Schools

[tearsandtiaras]

Has anyone heard anything about the results of the COBRA meeting yet?

Or news on schools closing?

Will they close universities too?

Kids are getting it, usually mildly, but they are getting it and probably spreading it.

If schools are closed there are likely to be more deaths. Emergency services, police, public transport, the NHS could grind to a halt as workers take time off for childcare.

StormyClouds
Because children may not fall ill, but they can still catch the virus and pass it on to parents, grandparents and other more vulnerable people.

The parents will catch it whether or not the kids are in school

• they will all be shopping in the same supermarket as their school mates.

Grandparents are MORE at risk if they have to look after kids while parents work.

Closing the schools will achieve NOTHING
but will put many parents who cannot work from home in an impossible situation.

Its so pointless

My eldest has a raging temperature, no cough.

So no coronavirus (the other two had it last week) so does he have to stay in as a precaution (he'll be off tomorrow) or is the decision individual for each school?

BBC health corespondent saying now that school closures will be more not less detrimental to the health service.

He has also reiterated that this delay has to do with the pressure on the NHS and not stopping the spread of the virus. There is still going to be a peak, it’s more about controlling when that peak is best.

It will be very difficult for a lot of people, but we’ve not heard of any essential services grinding to a halt in the many other countries that have closed schools.

Lots of grandparents already look after gc after school, if it goes round the school they could could catch it. If schools close and the gc avoid crowded places, their raise might actually be reduced.

If schools stay open the teachers will get it. No one has mentioned us. That's 500,000 of us getting it. Bugger that. Our families will get it too.

Risk, not raise.

@monkeytennis97 well you won't ALL get it but I'd suspect you're as at much risk as other professions who have prolonged contact with lots of members of the public (including myself).

Dads carers in his care home do not receive sick pay if they are ill. I bet a few will struggle in regardless of any guidelines etc. Plus many really do care about their residents: they would put them first. It's a tough situation all round as regards care homes and staff. Plus many have children , so they can't just take time off work for childcare reasons if the schools shut down.

@ihaveaquestionplease true, true. I guess I am just putting a shout out for all those teachers who are forgotten in the cries about schools and the 'oh the kids will be fine' brigade

Far fewer children tend to get it so schools staying open doesn’t mean staff will automatically gets it..

Teachers are more likely to get it on public transport than in school.

Other countries have closed schools first which has made no difference so they have gone to lockdown after.

there is very little evidence that closing schools alone makes any difference.

I'm a teacher, we are currently experiencing staff absences due to other infectious illnesses.

If we also have to stay away for 7 days if a little ill, this will cause extra issues. I would hope that also means pupils stay away; I know they won't in my setting (sen.) I have asthma and don't feel excited by the prospect of getting it.

They are rolling out expert after expert out now on BBCNews24 saying that school closures are unlikely and would be pointless. Damage control before the announcement.

Some people are just gagging for the schools to shut down.

The 80sweregreat the government have agreed to reimburse companies SSP from day 1 of sickness. There's no excuse for any company to not pay SSP at the minimum. They won't be out of pocket

We’ve been told that even if schools close to pupils we will be expected to go in.

Full Scottish health advice now published. Quite concerning message with regards to school closures:

"It is likely that schools will need to close but when they do they may not re-open for several months."

True about the SSP , but a lot of the carers would not be able to live on that.
I am concerned about a lack of carers if they also get this virus but there isn't anything I can do! I can't even visit him as the care home is now in lockdown.
Seems Boris is going down the delay phase.

Ok schools may present a bit of a problem. However colleges and universities should be closing and delivering online learning. Even providing reading lists to students if they don't have the resources to set up online learning although I'm sure that they would be able to implement this with a bit of effort.

Social gatherings should also be cancelled. Pubs, clubs, restaurants should also consider shutting their doors for a couple of weeks. Yes, I know they provide towards the economy, which we need to fund healthcare, but we really need to contain this. Lives are in danger. I don't think the consequences get much more serious than that.

@StormyClouds which link did you read?

The government isn't closing schools , yet.

Anyone with a persistent cough or high temperature is now being advised to self-isolate for seven days, as the UK government moves to the "delay" phase of its plan to tackle coronavirus.

This just popped up in my bbc news app, nothing mentioned about schools yet.

However colleges and universities should be closing and delivering online learning.
But the students will still be roaming the University towns (many have nowhere else to live)
and Labs and practical subjects are a tad tricky online

Monkeytennis
Yes, teachers will probably get it.
So will the vast majority of adults.
You'll catch it in the supermarket or at the cinema or in the park or on the train.
Closing the schools for two months will not change that.

SSP is £94 a week by the way folks