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?

France are closing schools from Monday.

I agree with you, Maisie17. Having listened to the news press, I was persuaded that the delay in school closures and no further restrictions on movement is the correct decision to achieve the best effect...

However, did anyone hear that guy on PM on Radio 4 a couple of hours ago? I'm afraid I didn't catch who he was, but he argued that he thinks the scientific advisors and therefore the government have taken the 'behavioural science' into consideration too much.... that yes, research shows that in these situations, people lose commitment and start going out, doing whatever if restrictive measures start too early, but he argued that this isn't an ordinary situation and the British public are extremely concerned and therefore not likely to behave in ways they might do at other times...

Donkeytail

Do you really think that people are going to keep their kids confined to barracks for the next few months? That the working parents of teenagers are going to trust them not to be meeting up with their friends at the first opportunity? That the parents of younger children are not going to allow them to meet up with friends until June?

and to answer your other question, unfortunately there is a sizeable percentage of the people of Britain who see anything that compromises their God given right to do wtf they want , regardless of the way that impacts others, as a personal affront - and a challenge.

Work in a hospital. Glad schools are not closed as I genuinely dont know who the fuck might come and care for my extremely vulnerable mentally Ill patients

I don't understand why schools should close when the kids aren't catching it. How many kids have had it? I've heard of 1. So how is school closure going to stop the spread?

No way am I keeping mine off unless they close the school!

Also remember that if you're looking for help with the children from Grandparents that the elderly are one of the more vulnerable groups so expecting them to look after the children is a bad idea.

No I'm not keeping mine off. Absolutely no point as I can't work from home and neither can my husband so we could easily infect them anyway. Obviously if the schools close it'll be different but I'd rather not make them miss more school than absolutely necessary.

Mine will be going to school.

I don't think it's a matter of our experts knowing better or worse than other experts.

It's down to the context of the country, resources, infrastructure, hospital beds, hcps, etc.

Each country knows their limits and their timing will be different to ours.

Easter is coming up; it's wouldn't be as much of an impact if it was just a week before or after, which is more likely to have an impact according to predicted peak numbers etc.

Schools will close though as there are safe numbers of pupil staff ratios. If too many staff are off Ill they won't function.

www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/does-closing-schools-slow-spread-novel-coronavirus

Only one scientist's views, but explains why the science does argue for school closure. It is up for debate though.

I kept my 14 year old DD off today and my ds will be off tomorrow as he only has one lecture and the risk of going on a crowded school bus for one lesson is not worth the risk particularly when my dh is high risk. It doesn't impact on our work as they are able to look after themselves at home.

@fizzandchips we do all understand that there is a time lag, that we are not seeing true numbers? That the peak may well be May or June, however it is the degree of that peak that matters and what we do NOW will affect the peak in May or June.

There is no evidence that more people being infected will mean better long term outcomes. China and other countries may well find that they can very well cope with freedom of movement in a very short time and for the next year or so, even with a low percentage of the population ‘immune’. UK are making a big gamble. If they could show the evidence it would make me trust them more.

Guys, I hate to break the bubble, but the people doing the advising are not being listened to. That's why Swiss schools are closing and UK ones are open. The science is the same, it's the politicians that are different. Your schools will close. They will close later, but they will close. Change your mindsets. It's coming for you, I'm very sorry, I wish it weren't because my elderly parents are there. Love from Italy.

I think would be pointless to shut schools without shutting pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and loads of other places. They are basically working on the assumption that British people won't cooperate until they start to get scared which is perhaps correct although very demoralising. Everything has to shutdown and people have to stop going out at once .

The reasons for not closing schools were clearly explained and made perfect sense. How long do you think you can cope with being isolated at home for?

I have to say though, infection spreads quick through schools. We've had some serious outbreaks and staff absences in two gluts this year. Last year in the run up to Xmas the head did consider closing we had so much illness. (But we are sen so extra snot and closeness.)

I wish I could but we have a social worker so can’t! Really worrying.

@Hercwasonaroll well at this rate it seems we might be the only ones left after you’ve all starved to death or caught the virus or died from a hurty finger tyat turn gangarious and nobody could treat you.

Take the piss as much as you like but stores are running out of nappies and milk, paracetamol is being rationed. This is serious

My children will still be going to school. Eldest is in gcse year and very much wants to go in. School have got plans to teach remotely and have emailed today to say please ensure children have access to computer/place to study etc - but I know this won't be possible for all children.

Personally, I think now is the time to start protecting the at risk groups so maybe not sending elderly relatives into the playground to do pick ups etc.

Nope. I'm also taking DS to London a wk on Saturday for a treat weekend away.

Also I went to our paediatrician and no one was there so the plus of staying off school is that all the other childhood illnesses also have time to clear up!!

Its personal choice. Those parents that can stay at home with their kids, then why shouldnt they.
As of Monday my kids wont be going anywhere.

Honestlymy most sensible plan if numbersincrease and we are reliant on herd immunity is to send high risk DH and kids to his mother in sticks to completely self isolate and myself being low risk will continue to work until impossible then offer up myself as dbs checked child care to vital frontline services to help enable them to work .

I trust people who have studied epidemiology for years and can analyse societal impacts / benefits to make the right choices for our country more than a general populous who haven’t a clue.
This. We should stay calm, listen for new advice, and follow it.