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.

Where is public pressure mounting? Decisions like these are made by experts, by scientists and politicians, privy to informations that you are not.

Where do you think millions of schoolchildren are going to go if the schools close? You think they’ll be kept quarantined at home? Don’t make me laugh.

I think the schools will close this Friday. And not reopen until after easter, maybe later

why would teenagers e'running riot in public places'? where on earth do you live that this would happen? i'd move!

@SapphireSalute schools provide safeguarding, support, and are a source of continuity for the poorest children who may not be able to access enough (or the right kinds of) food at home.

@SpokeTooSoon
Ireland, Spain, Italy, Japan, S.Korea, Taiwan, France, China, vast majority of Germany, already several US states, disagree about closing schools. I’m sure you know better than the experts in these countries though.

Children are only in school for approximately 6.5 hours a day.

Many key workers are on shift work - what will you do for childcare the other 18ish hours a day? Weekends and school holidays? Not all schools offer wraparound care - where I work doesn't.

Grandparents have been told to self isolate, school holiday clubs run by private companies aren't obliged to open.

I don't want schools to close and dont think they will until Easter as planned.

lily what happens to those children when school closes for 6 weeks in the summer then? provisions are made for them i assume?

@lilyboleyn
I love schools too. Problem is right now they are a great way to pass a potentially killer virus between kids and then onto older members of their families. British kids mostly eat junk anyway, highest obesity rate in Europe, so lets not role that out as an excuse.

@user246854 Ds2's special school has said they will support parents of vulnerable children in their decisions regarding attendance. There's 2 other special. Schools in the same academy group so I'm assuming those are saying the same.

Where do you think millions of schoolchildren are going to go if the schools close? You think they’ll be kept quarantined at home? Don’t make me laugh.
If you tell them that going out puts their parents/grandparents lives at risk, then yes. Are British children really that selfish? Not from my experience.

@Cam77 I know this and appreciate it. Just trying to voice why govt may be reluctant to close schools.
Personally, I think we should follow Italy’s example.

If schools close, nurseries and after school clubs will have to close. Would we still pay for the child's place if they aren't going?? If not then who will pay their staffs wages?? The economy will collapse surely?

I’m looking forward to lockdown, as an essential worker we should get priority on toilet roll and paracetamol. Also driving around on deserted roads is quite appealing.

@Janemarpling no where in that article does it mention digging big holes for mass cremations and preventing families burying their loved ones. Prone to dramatics?

In regards to parents/families treating it as an extra holiday, in Italy they have been issued with paperwork they must have on them in order to be in public, police are fining people if they are out and about without good reason. Because of this the virus is due to reach its peak in the next week or so, or so I've been told by family.

My brother is a teacher in a country which has closed its schools the end of last week for just shy of a month; they are keeping a minimum number of staff on (volunteers who may have no children yet, etc) to act as a babysitting service essentially for parents in front line positions.

I see the arguments for both but I can't help worry the entire rest of the world thinks it's a good idea to close the schools except us.

My son special school has also emailed saying they fully support parents who wish to withdraw their children from school if they are in anyway vulnerable and they will provide learning packs from tomorrow. I do feel relieved that parents are being given the choice.

@Janemarpling no where in that article does it mention digging big holes for mass cremations and preventing families burying their loved ones. Prone to dramatics?

In Iran. I am sorry I should have made that clear.

As they keep saying its unprecedented.

They will have a surgery on the dead though as they have in Italy and are struggling.

I teach in a special school with many of the children having physical disabilities. We're still opening, despite about 1/3 or more of the children being seriously at risk if they contract a much more minor respiratory virus. I'm really worried about it and hope someone in power is looking into special schools!

I agree bored; it's a different ball game in those.

Where do you think millions of schoolchildren are going to go if the schools close? You think they’ll be kept quarantined at home? Don’t make me laugh

It's happened in other countries, why not in the UK?

Why does the UK think it's so special? And why are we the only country not putting in serious lockdown measures?

Some of our pupils would react very badly to change of faces and class mix. Physically so. While school will be very important to them to maintain routine, it's not going to be like it has been. Which will be unsettling.

Can people please shut the fuck about closing schools? It's simply not going to happen.
This is not our strategy.
Our current plan is -
The people who are the most vulnerable are going to be 'cocooned' ie isolated and therefore protected from the virus. This also protects the NHS.
The biolgically strongest who are most able to survive the virus and develop immunity are going to be required to do the heavy lifting. This includes school children, who are going to being part of the immune herd. All healthy adults are going to have to do the actual work ie keeping our economy afloat and caring for our bioogicfally weaker members at the same time.
Schools will close down for Easter anyway, the situation will be assessed then, by people who actually know what they are doing, people who have training and expertise in this area.

@feelingverylazytoday

Why is the UK the only country not imposing lockdown, then, if the people in charge actually know what they're doing?

Why are we the only ones not imposing travel bans, closing schools and banging on about hand washing and herd immunity, when there is absolutely no evidence of herd immunity existing for this particular virus?

I'm a teacher and I have asthma. I have also managed to keep away from people over the weekend. It makes me nervous that tomorrow I am back in the classroom with 6 lessons of 30 pupils every hour. I do not want to be sick and I dont want this to pass to my relatives. With all this being said I cant see them closing schools. They did say about asking over 60s to self isolate including other vulnerable people. I am wondering if having asthma is classed as being vulnerable although I am 26 and luckily healthy in other ways. Hope we have clearer guidance next week. His speech on Thurs didnt give me much reassurance.

feelingverylazytoday this is a fast changing situation and some of us are very concerned