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Original poster

It’s never going to happen is it?

240 replies

MyDcAreMarvel · 15/03/2020 20:15

The schools are not going to close are they, at all. Just seen on bbc news they are passing emergency legislation so that when teachers go off sick the remaining teachers can teach large class sizes. That and the law to force head teachers to keep schools open.
The government are determined to ensure as many children as possible are infected whilst isolating the elderly.
I wish I lived in a country where I could feel safer.

OP posts:
MunchMunch · 15/03/2020 20:21

I keep hoping they'll close but I agree with you, when I saw it mentioned very briefly yesterday or the day before (can't remember when) I knew then it really will be a last resort to close the schools.

My dc have been off since last Tuesday and I was hoping that I'd only have to unofficially keep them off for maybe 2 weeks.

EastCoastDamsel · 15/03/2020 20:22

I'm taking my kids out. I don't trust that they have the best interest of society at heart.

If we don't start serious social distancing now, we will definitely be in lockdown by the end of the Easter holidays

Treaclepie19 · 15/03/2020 20:23

Ugh. I'm so torn. I really want to keep my son off but I keep hoping they will just close.

Mintjulia · 15/03/2020 20:24

No, I don't think so. Employees are expected to keep working, and children to keep learning. Taking them out of school will just leave them bored and restless at home, deny them an education and put them at risk.

people are safer and better fed if they are in their normal routine.

Keeping the oldies (the more vulnerable) safe is more urgent.

GetRid · 15/03/2020 20:26

Why do people want to keep their kids off? Children are not the ones dying from this.

If the schools close, all the grandparents stepping in to look after them will get infected.

Original poster
MyDcAreMarvel · 15/03/2020 20:26

Keeping the oldies (the more vulnerable) safe is more urgent.
But there has been no provision made for children or school staff who are vulnerable due to underlying medical conditions. Or for their family members who could be vulnerable.

OP posts:
RingPiece · 15/03/2020 20:29

This is an absolute disaster and it'll have severe consequences. Teacher and TA friends are having to go into school tomorrow to teach larger classes as so many teachers are off sick, either self-isolating with covid 19 symptoms or with other illnesses. The teachers still working are already exhausted, stressed and will be more likely to catch viruses as a result. Then what? Who teaches the classes of 50-60 children? And where? In the hall? Squashed into unventilated and dirty classrooms?

I know of a teacher who phoned in last week to say they had slight symptoms...a cough, sore throat but no temperature. They were told to come in as there were already too many school staff off. It's just disgusting.

DioneTheDiabolist · 15/03/2020 20:32

I am keeping DS off regardless of government advice. We will not be using grandparents for care (they're already self isolating). He doesn't need his FSM. He can do remote learning from home.

I figure that way, the schools might be able to stay open for the children who really need them.

Witchlight · 15/03/2020 20:34

I think if your child has a serious underlying condition, or is living with someone who has one, it is reasonable to keep your children home. If your child is generally OK (no snowflake itus) they should go in to school.

It is the vulnerable who need protection, not the young and healthy!

Cam77 · 15/03/2020 20:34

Money money money

Original poster
MyDcAreMarvel · 15/03/2020 20:37

NI schools will close because of the Republic of Ireland. Scotland most likely will to as they have more sensible leadership.

OP posts:
BriefDisaster · 15/03/2020 20:38

If the schools close then I still have to work and somehow find childcare as my parents who are both in their 70's can't pick up all the slack.

I am at risk in the busy commuter train I get or in the building where I work with around 800 other people. I can wfh but no one has bothered to tell us we should yet. I can't wfh with 2 children under my feet that is a certainty.

Teachers are not the only people at risk with this although to listen to the ones I know (inlaws who are happily planning what to do with their extra holidays - their words not mine) then you would think they are at the front line and not the doctors/nurses/carers.

OntheWaves40 · 15/03/2020 20:39

You’re right OP it’s never going to happen. Our DC are being used for herd immunity

Original poster
MyDcAreMarvel · 15/03/2020 20:40

@Witchlight if one of my dc catches corona from school I will be seriously ill. The government has done nothing to support me taking my children out of school. There would be attendance officers, fines and no work set.

OP posts:
Janemarpling · 15/03/2020 20:41

Other measures already being planned include:
the forced requisitioning of hotels and other buildings as temporary hospitals;
the requisitioning of private hospitals as emergency hospitals;
temporary closure of pubs, bars and restaurants - some time after next weekend's ban on mass gatherings;
emergency manufacture by several companies of respirators that would be necessary to keep alive those who become acutely ill;
the closure of schools for perhaps a few weeks, but with skeleton staff kept on to provide childcare for key workers in the NHS and police.

Lucked · 15/03/2020 20:42

What I don’t understand is why don’t they let the people who can have their children home without relying on grandparents do so. I need the schools open (key worker) and I know there are others who need to be able to work but I don’t want overcrowded classrooms and aggressive parents at the school gates.

There is a middle ground.

Tenpintonpin · 15/03/2020 20:47

This was in the TES today:
www.google.com/amp/s/www.tes.com/news/coronavirus-schools-close-all-children-key-workers%3famp
Schools set to close for all but key workers' children.

Ciwirocks · 15/03/2020 20:47

The kids might not be vulnerable but they can pass it into adults that are. Loads of kids mixing in schools is just spreading it around

MynameisJune · 15/03/2020 20:49

Ffs children used as herd immunity, like they’re sacrificial lambs to the slaughter.

My DC are young but fit and healthy, I have no issue with them getting Covid-19 as the likelihood is they’ll have a few days of feeling rubbish and then being fine. If them going through that means some vulnerable people don’t have to be put on a ventilator in hospital or worse then I’m okay with that.

TiredMummyXYZ · 15/03/2020 20:49

Children get the flu vaccine for a reason. Because they are super spreaders. They may not be badly affected or even symptomatic but can pass bugs on to others who are.

I’m a teacher and the kids in my class often have their fingers up their noses / in their mouths and think nothing of sneezing or coughing over people! They just don’t understand the implications and forget about hygiene protocols (I teach year 1).

I do what we can with hand washing but budget cuts mean our school is poorly cleaned, our toilets are often out of soap or paper towels and we have no hand gel. Plus parents continue to send their kids in with coughs and colds.

My husband and my Mum are both high risk for Coronavirus complications and yet I am expected to carry on as normal?

If my ‘vulnerable’ husband has to isolate himself for four months that will be pointless if I am just going to infect him from being at school all day. It’s so stressful and I will just give up my job if this continues. It’s just not worth it.

Teachers are people too. Kids may be ok but school staff and our loved ones can be affected by the virus.
If other countries have managed school closures without compromising essential services I don’t see why we can’t. I would much provide online learning until it is safe.

WhiteCat1704 · 15/03/2020 20:50

And in the meantime Eton school closed on Friday.

www.etonschool.org/

Peapod29 · 15/03/2020 20:50

Lucked I just don’t get this either. I’m in a position where I could keep my dc off too, as are many other parents I know. Why don’t they say if you can do so? It would massively reduce spread surely if a proportion of the class was absent. I’m seriously considering keeping dc off. We live with my mum who is in her 60s, I’m not massively worried about us getting it but if we bring it home she could be seriously ill.

ItsAHardKn0ckLife1 · 15/03/2020 20:52

@Lucked completely agree.

Original poster
MyDcAreMarvel · 15/03/2020 20:53

If they at least said schools will stay open for anyone who chooses to send their children to school. However if you want to keep your child of because they or a family member has a health condition you can with no affect on attendance and basic work set.
School staff with a proven health issue or family member in the same household should be allowed to stay at home on full pay.
That would at least be a start.

OP posts:
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