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Original poster

IF you were able would you remove your children from school now?

44 replies

Evenquieterlife33 · 14/03/2020 14:52

Hi, I know many people who are unable to do this, I have several friends where both parents are self employed and cannot avoid public contact for work. I completely understand this. However, I can, my husband works from home now, his office has closed anyway due to a case. I work from home anyway. My kids are primary and secondary age. Apart from popping to the shops, we could just opt to more or less isolate to try and slow the spread. I’m not fully convinced on the herd immunity theory. Anybody out there pulling kids out of school??

OP posts:
confusedandtired99 · 14/03/2020 14:53

I am able to just about and will be doing so yes

Reginabambina · 14/03/2020 14:57

Do you seriously not believe in herd immunity? Anyway, if we were 100% sure we’d be allowed to keep school for the rest of the year we’d just start our summer holiday early. Or take an extra holiday if we could extend the Easter holidays be a fortnight or so.

Original poster
Evenquieterlife33 · 14/03/2020 15:06

Of course I believe in herd immunity. What I mean is I am not convinced that the idea of deliberate mass infection with this disease will actually create herd immunity given that we have yet to see any scientific evidence of it presented to us. Also we have not got much of an idea of the damage sustained to the herd yet during this process. It seems cavalier at best.

OP posts:
Kinsman · 14/03/2020 15:13

'Do you seriously not believe in herd immunity?'

Herd immunity is fine and well but...

The total UK population in 2019 was 67,530,172. In order to achieve herd immunity at least 60% has to get sick - 40,518,103
Of that number between 2 and 3% will die. Let's say 2% to be conservative: 810,362.

And many more will be left with permanent damage to their lungs, fertility etc.

So yes, herd immunity is great in theory but I'm finding those numbers and the reality very scary.

Letseatgrandma · 14/03/2020 15:16

Do you seriously not believe in herd immunity?

I would much rather close the schools and hope my loved ones didn’t get it, than go for the government’s human medical shield experiment idea.

I trust the WHO approach on this and I wish the government did too.

Reginabambina · 14/03/2020 15:19

Ooooh, now I get it. I thought OP didn’t believe in the scientific theory of herd immunity as opposed to attempting to achieve herd immunity against CV. Brain fail, apologies OP.

RosehipRuthie · 14/03/2020 15:20

I am in a similar work situation to you OP and I would very much like to keep mine at home for a few weeks.
The added stress fear of getting ill is putting on A-level and GCSE students is really quite alarming; once the syllabus is finished they'd be better off at home.

MrsBlondie · 14/03/2020 15:21

No.
I think they will.close schools this Friday anyway.

Beerincomechampagnetastes · 14/03/2020 15:24

My dd’s school has finished the taught syllabus- so she’s studying from home now - I’m calling it extended study leave.
The teachers are setting her work online and she’s studying.

Beerincomechampagnetastes · 14/03/2020 15:24

Dd is doing her GCSEs this may - June

Andcake · 14/03/2020 15:25

No

Devlesko · 14/03/2020 15:26

We have decided not to keep at home, got email today saying it was up to us.
Mine has GCSE's with coursework to finish and 2 x exams before Easter, so not much choice than to go in.

Purplewhitelie · 14/03/2020 15:27

Yes I would as they are vulnerable.

A boy as I said on the other thread is deliberately coughing on my daughter as he thinks its a joke.

WaterSheep · 14/03/2020 15:27

No one has to share their reasons, but if they want to, I would be interested to hear why people are saying no.

GoodbyePorpoiseSpit · 14/03/2020 15:27

No.

FourTeaFallOut · 14/03/2020 15:31

Yes. And I certainly wouldn't be taking any cheap holidays or go waltzing around museums or having all their mates over or any of the other stupid things that people assume of those who would act now to avoid this virus.

TheMagiciansMewTwo · 14/03/2020 15:32

We're leaning towards keeping DC home. The WHO advice seems to support staying at home. I understand the government needs to put resources and infrastructure in place but DH is in an at-risk group, and we can both work from home.

eeeyoresmiles · 14/03/2020 15:46

Yes, we're doing so.

bananabob · 14/03/2020 15:48

Yes I have done already

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 14/03/2020 15:50

No, and as for sharing reasons, why would I? (Remove them that is?) Surely removing them is the unusual choice? I don’t know anyone who is.

OptimisticSix · 14/03/2020 15:50

Mine are out too, even DS who will be sitting his GCSEs this year. I'm not taking the risk.

Babyfairy0923 · 14/03/2020 15:54

Yes

vdbfamily · 14/03/2020 15:55

No... absolutely not. What would it achieve? I suspect they will tag a week onto Easter to create a longer break so am happy to wait until then.

MrsMeg1 · 14/03/2020 15:56

Yes I will be doing so from next week, I agree with how most other countries are handling it and closing schools early or at least giving parents the choice. Health comes first.

namechangenumber2 · 14/03/2020 15:56

I could keep mine off with minimal issues with working ( I only work 1 day a week), however I won't as both are in important years at school and can't really afford to be off any more than necessary