when are we going into lockdown and closing schools?

[fireflower998]

Spain, France and now Germany (about to go) in lockdown, so when will we? And when will the schools close? I'm guessing it will be Tuesday/Wednesday time. It's looking inevitable now.

[Janemarpling]

I worry if they close the schools will parents just take the kids out and about. I’m also worried who will look after the kids of front line staff especially if grandparents etc have to self isolate.

Our town has closed everything tonight. So not sure where they would go?

Where do front line workers kids go after 9-3. I know my friends kids stay over with Grandparents.

[DICarter1]

I worry if they close the schools will parents just take the kids out and about. I’m also worried who will look after the kids of front line staff especially if grandparents etc have to self isolate.

[Janemarpling]

Definitely.

Kids were licking the desks today and coughing shouting Corona.

[SapphireSalute]

close them now, simple really

[TwelveIslands]

Schools will close soon.

At the moment pupil numbers are reducing gradually. By the time schools close there will only be the bare minimum of staff and pupils left.

I'm no fan of the government but they can't do everything all at once, it would be too much for everyone to cope with.

[Dagnabit]

@SapphireSalute - I haven’t read the updates but if the parents are self isolating then so will their children because if one is unwell or showing symptoms then all the household self isolated so it’s a moot point. If all are well then the children can go to school unless it’s closed, obviously. Simple really...

[SapphireSalute]

@Dagnabit who is going to walk the kids to school if parents are self isolating?

Close the schools fgs!

[Sunshine1239]

It’s defo confusing

How is it that we are asked to limit contact and to work from home but kids still go to school? I wander if they wanna put the option to parents to withdraw at same time of kids of key services having somewhere to go? It’s so contradictory

[Patchworkpatty]

Did I miss something or is this advice literally half baked ?

'In the next few days we are going to ask those elderly , those at risk (those who have the flu vaccination) to self isolate for 12 weeks... AND pregnant women. .. but NOT closing schools ??

How the hell do I self isolate if my child is still going to school ? How do pregnant women self isolate , who will often have OTHER children STILL AT SCHOOL?

Do these people have any concept of the real world ?

[Ozziewozzie]

@SapphireSalute, judging by our govt decision making, It looks as though education is the most required thing. It’s no wonder loo roll is in high demand with a govt with verbal diarrhoea. It wouldn’t seem so bad if there was an explained method to their madness. Are we to presume that we are one of the few major countries in the world to be getting this right. Arguably, there are probably no perfectly right decisions but it’s not looking great at the moment. So many people are confused. Different pockets seem to be operating on different information.

[SapphireSalute]

Haven’t Germany/Italy/Denmark/Spain all closed there schools? What’s so special about the UK that they need to remain open??

[TheWordmeister]

@iandonald_psych on Twitter gives good explanation of our government's strategy. Well worth a read.

[Ozziewozzie]

Different from many other governments etc. Are we to assume our govt are the only people in the entire world who know best? Decisions will be made for the greater good. The greater good, does not necessarily promote or protect certain people and or situations in this country.

We are all fully entitled to our own opinion. We absolutely do not have to agree with decisions made. If we act out of selfishness, then prepare to be pounced on. People are losing jobs, homes, income, treatment, and most of all lives.

[Ozziewozzie]

In defence of @SapphireSalute, she hasn’t said education isn’t enriching or valued. He/she is just voicing the opinion that missing education for the greater good is not necessarily horrific. Losing a loved one is. We are expected to trust our government in spite of the fact that their actions are very diff

[SapphireSalute]

Just my opinion too!!

[Dagnabit]

SapphireSalute you are so intent on being nasty that you are ignorantly missing other people’s points. Schools aren’t “free childcare “ - I can only presume that you aren’t a parent. They are enriching environments for our children, for education, for socialisation, for some, it’s their only hot dinner of the day so try and see the other side of the coin if you can manage it. If the children are symptomatic or have underlying conditions then they should be kept at home but a blanket closure of all schools is completely unnecessary at this point. Just my opinion so you don’t need to be vitriolic.

[SapphireSalute]

fresh air and outdoor stimulation?

same as the kids on the cancer wards then.....walk a few weeks ,yes, a few WEEKS, in their shoes.

and open a window? fresh air tends to come in..

[SapphireSalute]

can't believe people are worrying that the poor kids will be BORED!!

i'd rather your kids be bored and off school and make you have to, you know, sort out and occupy your own kids....rather that than even one elderly person lose their life

so selfish!!

[SpokeTooSoon]

Close schools now and you simply delay a huge spike when they do go back if they close too early.

Too many sudden experts here on epidemiology.

Flattening then curve so we don’t all get it at once is sensible. Thinking you can hide indoors until a virus gets bored and goes elsewhere is madness.

[ninja]

Many people in France and Italy's ICU are under 60

Yes - but remember Italy had admitted that they've had to triage who gets the ventilators and the beds - therefore they're like to have more younger people there as presumably there are older ones who just haven't been chosen

[CricketCrocket]

Our parents eve was supposed to be this week but had been postponed. Parents and staff were not keen for it to go ahead.

[FashionFoodLaughs]

SLT have no idea and will probably find out about any closures at the same time as the rest of us. I’m immunosurpressed due to RA and medication so very worried about being around lots of transmitting little cherubs all day! Self isolating with the exception of work - and we have parents evening tonight.

[CricketCrocket]

*and their families.

[CricketCrocket]

That is a long time to keep kids occupied at home- and actually not healthy for them not to get any fresh air and outdoor stimulation.

Healthier than being in a Coronavirus swamp for 7 hours a day - for them, the school staff ask their families.

[Kastanien]

All those saying that school will go on til this Friday then 3 weeks off for Easter must be on different holidays to us. After this Friday we still have two weeks of school, we break up 3rd of April, so that would mean a four week Easter break for us. That is a long time to keep kids occupied at home- and actually not healthy for them not to get any fresh air and outdoor stimulation.