To ignore BJ's COBRA advice to send kids to school whilst Rep of Ireland has closed schools for 2 weeks

[100percentSunshine]

Just interested to know how others feel....

We are all expecting the exponential growth of the Covid 19 to take place in the next 1- 2 weeks.

I was gobsmacked by today's news that following the COBRA meeting, BJ has resolved to keep schools open.

Is anyone considering keeping their child/ren off school despite government briefing?

I’m sorry but do people not understand the reason for staying open? It’s because they know it will bring working families to their knees, people will not follow the rules so spead will occur elsewhere instead and elderly grandparents will be used and likely some killed trying to cover the childcare gap.

I would suggest anyone in a position to properly self isolate, with their children, without drafting in grandparents, would be VERY well advised to do that.

The upside for themselves is massive.
And the upside for others is huge too.

But Boris knows few people have the luxury to be able to do this properly/easily. So he’s left everyone to simply be vulnerable.

Exactly and also in Italy loads of kids went to stay with grandparents when the school closed, and the virus then had a fucking field day.

Graciebobcat

Ireland won't have an economy with workers sick and dying either.

And neither will the UK.

Chicken and egg isn't it. Economy and society collapses because you've shut everything down - more people die than ever would of a virus which for most people us mild. These are not straightforward decisions.

But I still think those that can self isolate without hurting the economy or their own bottom line should be encouraged to do so.

That’s a few less people involved in the spread. Better than nothing.

Yes considering it, we live with my parents and my dad is battling cancer, it's just too risky

We can already see the signs of panic in the shops with the shelves stripped bare.

Now factor in closing the schools, so working parents have to take off. That will mean staff shortages in so many areas - hospitals, police, shops, carers, utility companies and on and on.

Realistically how is that feasible for months? If we do what some countries are doing and shut down all non essential shops and leisure facilities then employees just won't be paid. How will they support themselves for months? It's fine to say that the government will have to step in but honestly does our government, or any, have the finances to financially support swathes of the population for months?

Not that long ago certain countries in Europe were on the verge of financial collapse. How can they cope now with extensive closures and the collapse of their tourist industry.

It's all well and good arguing that lives matter more than money and of course that is true but at the same time there needs to be an economy left when we come out of this.

An economy left at the end of it ? I actually think this is a brilliant opportunity to press the reset button on society and the economy. I doubt they will though

I love how some people are so certain that one government's approach is right and another's is wrong. No-one knows at this point, we're all stumbling along trying to make our way in the dark on this one.

Your government is the only one that is prepared to let the virus take it's course and infect 60% of the population, with no evidence that herd immunity can be achieved.

Everyone else is trying to protect its citizens from catching the virus. Why should we trust the UK over the vast majority of international experts and the WHO?

Britain really seems to love standing alone and to hell with the consequences.