Secondary school still open

[Rosebel]

Up until this week I was of the opinion I'd keep sending my teenage daughter's to school. Then on Friday eldest tells me a b boy she sits next to was sent home coughing, high temperature and shortness of breath. So basically every symptom.
School have not told us this but did send an email earlier in the week saying they would not close even if there was a confirmed case of cornavirus unless forced to by LEA (and someone else can't remember who).
Now I'm thinking perhaps I should keep them off. Youngest has asthma so at risk anyway. Also I have a cough so perhaps should keep them off anyway.
Is it right secondary school staying open in this case? Would totally understand if there were no suspected cases or perhaps by the time people are displaying symptoms it's too late and they've already infected others?

It would be wrong. For a start, nobody other than medical staff can say suspected anything. Having a confirmed case is dependent upon them being tested (so having to fulfil the criteria, which hardly anybody does), getting the result and then the result being communicated to the school. The conspiracy theorists and rumour spreaders wouldn't believe whatever was said. It's also dependent upon the rumour about that kid having a cough, temperature and shortness of breath being in any way true in the first place.

Giving out any information about visitors to Medical would lead to more information being demanded. The whole point is that it's private - medical is used for physical issues, for psychological issues and as a safe way of excusing people that isn't in any way connected to medical at all. Normally, nobody pays attention to somebody 'not feeling well' and going to medical - which means they can access social workers, counsellors, etc, etc, without it being remarked on. If a kid who has mental health issues or is vulnerable is now not only noticed going there, but parents are demanding to know why, they lose that safety. And that is plainly what would happen.

It also causes anxiety when the visitor could be swinging the lead. There are some who claim symptoms of whatever they've last seen on TV or think will get them out of lessons/home the quickest. I've had somebody claim they went to Venice for the weekend and they had Coronavirus symptoms this week. They really haven't (we checked) - and they didn't know what Coronavirus symptoms were, anyhow. I get kids who I listen to skipping and laughing down the corridor about how they're going home and bye for the day and then turn the corner and turn into dying swans, complete with (fake) cough as they face me. And others who have been turned away suddenly recovering thirty seconds later when they turn the corner and think I can't see them, so I can't hear them. And ones who put their heads against radiators in an effort to mimic a temperature.

I'm expecting lots of fake coughs next week. It's the Year 8 exams.

If there is a confirmed case, things change. But no, you will not be getting any personal information just because you want to know.

Our school has over 2000 students so larger than the average secondary school. It is worrying however anti-social and intimidating behaviour was a big problem in our town over the summer holiday from large groups of teens who came from other neighbouring towns so this is another thing to worry about.

My son has just told me that his school (1500 pupils) will not be closing until the government says they can. This is according to my son’s headmaster in assembly. So there we have it.

It’s my understanding that large events are being cancelled as the ambulances, police and hospitals couldn’t cope with a large brawl or other incident. A common occurrence where I stay unfortunately.

Not because of concerns of the virus spreading. It will spread. We can’t stop it. We just have to be sensible.

Someone in their 50s in Scotland was in the news yesterday saying he’s recovered and is fine, it didn’t last long. That’s the kind of thing we need to hear more of to give us hope.

Schools do need to close. They will just let infected kids pass it on.

They will just let infected kids pass it on.

That’s the point. The government can’t come out and say ‘we need 60% of people to get it and kids are the least affected, so we basically hope that the 60% are mainly children’ but that’s what they would prefer.

I’m not sitting around waiting any longer for them to close. The gov have made no plans for the vulnerable kids.

My kids will be all off from Monday. My little boy was off from Friday, as he has terrible asthma and an autoimmune condition. We are trying to reduce the risks of catching this as he has been hospitalised numerous times

I think it’s up to parents with concerns to take action they deem fit for their families right now.

I think people with kids in high-risk groups would be very sensible in making their own risk assessments about school attendance.

If people keep their kids off they will need to keep em off for four to five months, as that’s the minimum this virus is expected to last.

Good luck with that! And keeping them away from friends, hobbies etc.