Just realised why schools are not closing

[NearlyGranny]

Going by the Spanish experience, half the London chatterati would make a dash for their closed-up holiday homes where they would strip our supermarket shelves and no doubt create a virus hotspot among us privileged year-round residents. I'm pretty sure the unmanageable spike we're all fearing would only be hastened by a general school closure.

If we could rely on people isolating at home, it would be a different matter.

I think one concern with closing schools is that a lot of children would go to grandparents to be looked after, which would worsen the problem. Also, frankly, I haven’t come across problems with “germ-ridden” schools - around here they don’t seem to have a problem with sickness. Eventually they will probably have to shut schools, but I think the government is right to hold off until it’s necessary. Schools closed for three or four months lead to very bored children/parents who then won’t self isolate if they should. Families will only stay at home if the numbers that they know are sick are high enough that they see a point to staying at home. I don’t think this country will have police vans driving around telling people to go home, which they have in Spain. Believe me, I am not a fan of this government but I think the scientific advice is sound because it’s based on how people are likely to act if things are shut for a very long time. It’s like telling older people to stay at home which they are not going to do yet because the time of having to stay at home would be too long.

Sorry, absolutely no criticism of Spain intended, I just think we wouldn’t do the same as they are doing

Professor Ian Donald on Twitter has some good reasoning on why schools are remaining open. Worth a read.

Places that have closed school have also closed holiday, caravan parks and places of national interest. So l don’t think anyone will be going to Air bnb

Yes I agree, my mother lives in a quiet coastal area of Spain and she said the same, since the schools closed people have gone to their holiday homes. They are all being sent back now to self isolate at their main residence.

If schools close how much of the population can stop work for childcare? How many can afford to? Not everyone can work from home! And how many of those are employed in key services that are already stretched meaning a drop in those resources would have a very negative impact on our well being?

Not so straightforward is it? If people can't earn money who pays their rent, buys their food? What if their employer goes down the temporary redundancy route? Not everyone has contingency savings nevermind luxury savings to fall back on. They would be the first to suffer. Do you think they would accept this willingly?

There is no one simple answer as noone knows enough about this new virus.South Korea were very vigilant,tested,temperature checked and have had results.
Once schools close so will shops,restaurants etc..So many people will be told to not work or work from home.
Children may get a mild case but they spread it quickly.This virus though is contagious before you know you have it and up to five weeks after you've had it.That is why all people have to change their lives for a while.No mixing outside of the family home.Keep at least a metre apart from people whilst out.wash wAsh wash hands and be much more aware of how serious this is.You are a few weeks behind Italy but it will come and the NHS won't cope

Schools are not closing because in this country the majority of families have both parents that work or single parent families where parent is working.

They can't just take time off to look after the children. They wouldn't have jobs, no one to pay them etc.

They are staggering this so the NHS doesn't tin out of beds. They are under enough pressure as it is

I have no idea what you were talking about op

I also agree with @DinosApples. Government will be able to point out Head teachers and say they chose to close, we asked them not to. Even though there would technically be no choice when staff starts going down.

I'm hoping my Head will close the school if that starts to happen

There are children and staff at schools who are at increased risk due to underlying health conditions.

If schools are to remain open, all children and staff at increased risk need to be allowed to stay at home without penalty.

It's absolutely unethical to force them, under threat of sanction, job loss or no income, to put themselves in harm's way.

just been told that the latest news states that over 70s will be in isolation for 4 months, surely not

UK is criticised for approach by WHO. There is no coordination across the world. Each country is scrabbling to stock lab tests, gloves and medical supplies. WHO needs to coordinate otherwise those with greatest political influence or money steal from rest of the world. #wouldtestifusaandeuropehadnotbulkpurchsedsupplies

So many people are saying they will go to a coastal holiday place, they don't seem to understand the point is to stay home.

Ceba Tree

What a ridiculous way to have a dig at Londoners! I've lived in London more than half my life and I don't know of anyone who has a second home.

That’s exactly what I thought! Such a cliched and offensive idea of Londoners, of which I’m one!

My brother runs an A&E department. His partner works there too. Their kids being at school isn’t much use as childcare because of holidays, kids being off sick etc. They have both said they would rather the school closed because if their kids get it, likely they will too and then they’d be off work anyway. Most nurses have childcare in place. The government could help fund them paying for extended hours of it.

Absolutely hilarious that someone thinks schools are more hygienic than parks and museums (the latter, in London, are all going to close anyway). I work in a major London museum and we are closed as of 5pm today for the indefinite future - estimated as 2-3 months at present.

I’m taking dd (17) out of college as of today. She can work at home and have as much screen time as she likes.

Rachel709 Agree. I live in a coastal place with lots of holiday homes. We will be in a terrible situation if we get loads of incomers, why can’t people grasp this ?

Most people in london struggle to afford one home.

RuffleCrow exactly. “Chattering classes” my arse.

I work in a school and 7 children were sent home today several of which had extremely high temperatures and the rest were really not well at all. The selfishness of parents sending these children into school in that condition astounds me. We are all at the mercy of everybody doing the right thing.

Too stupid. Or selfish. Or both.