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 feel very sorry for all the international boarding students in the UK - many haven't been home since Christmas and now won't be going home until july.

Which ones do you trust though? The ones that advise whatever it is Johnson thinks he’s doing, or the ones in Europe that are advising shutdown?

I would definitely be keeping my children off.

Nope. To make any difference you would need to keep them off for the next 6 months or so.

No, I was prepared for school and nursery closing but they haven't and they are both going tomorrow.

"The free school meals issue could be solved- it has been all around the world, by charities, by giving vouchers, by allowing someone to pick up meals. "

So all those charity workers won't be self-isolating...

I really want to, but I don't want the fine. I think they should remove fines for the now, at the very least.

Yes, seriously considering this.

Unless they or immediate family have underlying health issues, why would you?

Because I don't want my family to be responsible for passing on a virus that will kill vulnerable people in my community.

Community and caring for others, remember that?

I might (will) get slated for this comment, but search the...
tested/confirmed/deaths....then compare that to the standard yearly 'regular' flu figures!!

Could we stop spreading assumptions about herd immunity? We don’t know that this is the reasoning and just delaying the peak with bigger numbers of cases is not a proven method of more immunity.

@MeganBacon I agree and that is why I’m fustrated with BJ and his scientists. They are not transparent and not following world expert advice. I get each country is responding differently but all who are managing this are responding aggressively. The means might be different, but the aggressiveness seems key. The ECDC and WHO are being clearer, and offering advice.

@ChrissieKeller61 Yes you will definitely be the only people left alive This virus is well known for killing off children

Paracetamol is being rationed (it always has been to 2 packets per person).

Genuinely interested in the mental health impact on your family for self isolating for a period beyond 4 weeks.

I just think parents of children who have serious autoimmune problems etc should be given the option of having schoolbwork provided at home via online, video link hard copy etc
As someone previously said most children show no symptoms and are carriers.
I can understand the logistics of further / more drastic measures but give those who have a lesser chance of recovery the option to stay at home.

Macron has just announced school closures in France

No. I’ll be guided by the experts on this for now.

Nope I need to earn money and work. Boris johnson said that it's worse if not at school as will send kids to grand parents putting them at risk.

Mine are going until I’m gold otherwise i work in school as well, I’ve offered child care to cousins etc that need it.

Johnson fiddles while.......

Ireland is today entering the exponential growth phase.

Those of you who believe the UK's danger phase is 14 weeks away are as wrong as wrong could be.

Those of you who think soft plays, libraries, cinemas, etc will remain open when their employees are self isolating or staying home to take care of children are really not understanding the big picture here.

How will the country run? Simple answer is that it won't.

No. Children are rarely affected much at all. They go to school unless unwell

I'm not keeping mine off, but it wouldn't be unreasonable to decline to follow the requests of someone who's proven himself to be neither trustworthy nor competent. We've no actual way of knowing whether he's following expert advice, after all.

Pluckedpencil Thu 12-Mar-20 19:43:35

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.

YYY to this.
The word 'bubble' is especially appropriate. Being an island is not a defence against this virus, and the idea that British scientists have some sort of inside track that nobody else's scientists have is gobsmacking.

Do people here on this thread realise that Ireland's Taoiseach (PM) is himself a medical doctor?

I didn’t know that, math anxiety, but it’s something I can throw at the Tory loving imbeciles, so thanks x

Being a Medical Dr doesn't make you an expert in pandemics..........

I am not saying he is wrong btw but he may ot be an expert in this area.

UK need to do what is best for UK and UK only.

I don't know if what they are doing is right - we will find out in a few months but there does seem to be some logic.

That said there is logic to the other approaches too.

@Hercwasonaroll the virus isn’t the issue. It’s everything else that children do indeed die from that there won’t be facilities to take care of them available.