Why are we different?

[Ricekrispie22]

So far, if I’m correct, these countries have closed all schools:
Greece
France
Italy
Denmark
Japan
China
Ireland
Spain
Norway
Poland
Czech Republic
Regions of US and Canada

Why are we not?

I don’t understand why they haven’t shut transit between sub regional areas.
We have islands and large rural areas where closure of transit between regions except for essential deliveries would have been possible at an early stage. That would have protected many people living outside main cities.
Too late now though.

I'm not sure how that would work , when you say transit , is that all movement ?

Universities are starting to close down now for Easter , so I would think it's only a matter if time before schools do too.

I don't think it's likely at the moment schools will shut outside of the normal school holidays. It's was explained in the press conference that it wouldn't really help.

Unless the counties who have been on lockdown remain so forever, they will have cases again. Globally it's likely too late for it to be eradicated ala SARS, and as we know, it only takes one person for it to spread. It's too early to call whether their measures have been effective to be honest, wait until they 'reopen' and see.

Because of all the tea we drink? 🤷‍♀️ and we are led by a talking potato.
Good points.

Because we are a small island, have no open borders, have a different population base and a different infection timeline. So we are taking a different approach.

Nobody knows what the effects of any startegy will be. Outlier or not the science behind the UK response is as valid as any other - for our sepcifc circumstances!

It will be interesting (that seems too callous a word, but you know what I mean) to see which approach turns out to be right. The UK and Ireland have similar societies and cultures and are at a similar enough stage of the epidemic. They usually tend to converge on stuff like this so it will be interesting to see if their experiences diverge from here with such different approaches.

I've seen convincing arguments from both sides, made my people with far more expertise than me. So I don't feel qualified to make a judgement as to which is better. But I suspect time will tell pretty clearly.

Because we are a small island, have no open borders, have a different population base and a different infection timeline.

The UK has an open border with Ireland.

The UK has an open border with Ireland. Shit! You are right! Little Englander syndrome, my apologies!

As was explained yesterday , it would have little affect. I think schools are shut elsewhere to show the population governments are doing something even if it's not helpful.

I find it very difficult to believe that all of these other countries are blindly implementing unhelpful and unscientific measures just to appease their populous, whereas Boris Johnson (a proven liar) is making the right choice.

Apparently we are too delicate to be told to quarantine for a long period of time. And too stupid to stick to it when times get really tricky. If I were a young person I would say #Notamodel.

Id say it was right though , people won't stick it out if we lockdown too early for too long. As for stupid well yes look at the panic buying of toilet roll.

If secondary schools close I worry there would be more anti social behaviour and more pressure on local police

The U.K. government is prioritising the economy over lives, that's why.

The economy is directly linked to peoples' lives, virus or no virus. It provides employment that enables people to earn a living, put a roof over their family's heads, food on the table, clothes on their backs etc etc. It generates the revenue that funds the health service, social care, the welfare system, state pensions etc etc etc. It is fundamental to our supply chains - the provision of food, electricity and gas, medicines, clothing, etc etc etc - all the things vital to sustaining life. If the economy tanks then poverty will rise, vital services will fail and many people will die as a direct result. It won't be a temporary blip either as a truly devastated economy can take decades to recover.

You can keep ignorantly droning on that the economy is just about bankers and the rich but that doesn't make you right.

You can keep ignorantly droning on that the economy is just about bankers and the rich but that doesn't make you right.

I said none of those things.

I said none of those things

It is a recurring theme. If that wasn't what you were implying then why don't you explain exactly what you meant by :

"The U.K. government is prioritising the economy over lives, that's why."

What exactly was your point?

If I were a young person I would say #Notamodel.

What does that mean?

All you people banging on about the government only caring about the bankers and the elderly sound so fucking ignorant it’s unreal. You think you’re being all ‘power to the people’ but you just sound like idiots.

If the economy fully tanks, do you think it’s not going to adversely affect the elderly? The sick? The poor? You’ve gone from frothing at the mouth over austerity, to advocating for austerity on steroids.
If it was as easy as you’re making it sound, there wouldn’t be an issue. But it’s not that easy.

I for one am glad I’m not the one having to make these decisions

In Belgium all schools are shut from Monday until 3rd April, which is when the Easter Holiday starts. Schools are meant to provide childcare for those who need it. No-one is to rely on grandparents. Also, all cafes, bars, restaurants etc are to shut. Shops must close at the weekend apart from groceries/pharmacies. These measures are meant to avoid a lockdown!

*And NOT the elderly

He's following the strategy of letting everyone catch it, the weak will die and the strong will become immune, it's probably the quickest way to get it over with. The death of many people is a sacrifice he's prepared to make. So business as usual for us. I'm running a half marathon in Sunday, 12,000 of us from all over the UK crammed into the start pens, what could go wrong?
😰

If the economy fully tanks, do you think it’s not going to adversely affect the elderly? The sick? The poor? You’ve gone from frothing at the mouth over austerity, to advocating for austerity on steroids.

Exactly, with bells on. If we end up in a serious recession, or depression, the rich will no doubt see their wealth reduced but they will still be rich. They will have enough money to weather the economic storm. It is the poor, the weak and the vulnerable who will suffer the greatest hardships. It has always been that way.

as others have said we need to try & limit the damage to the economy as well because austerity also kills

@TheresWaldo

But if schools are required to provide childcare for anyone who needs it, that means they are not really shut - basically just means SAHMs keep their kids at home. Other workers are going to keep working if they can (and some will need to for the good of the system - doctors, nurses, pharmacists, emergency responders, bank workers, post office (for those who need benefits, teachers required to contain kids of other workers), Supermarket workers, those employed by utilities, etc), plus those who work for a business that might collapse if people don't work at least to a degree (otherwise whole system is messed up!). So I guess the question is whether SAHMs are prepared to take their kids out and teach them at home when others will be in school?

@TooTrueToBeGood

I meant just that. The priority is the economy. I didn't say I thought it was right or wrong. It's just factual. That's how this is being played out.

Oysterbabe
You can't avoid deaths in this situation , I'm sure we all wish it could be.

Oysterbabe have you thought about not going?