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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:
muchtoosoon · 15/03/2020 21:33

I can't understand why so many people are desperate for schools to close given that (younger) children are the least likely to become infected and yet require constant supervision.
Because they are carry it and then risk spreading it to people who are in the at risk group. Also although no young children have died, they can be acutely unwell requiring intubation. Hth

MintySpud · 15/03/2020 21:33

Colditz, nope. I hold teachers in high regard and do not believe parents to be, as a rule, capable of providing the education that their children need. How many of the kids whose parents are going to keep them off school will spend a fair chunk of time this week playing minecraft and watching NickToons? I reckon more than anyone here would ever be honest enough to admit.

DioneTheDiabolist · 15/03/2020 21:34

Local schools are still saying they'll fine parents who keep their kids home.
Shit a fucking brick!Shock

My DC's school issued their Safeguarding Procedures last week. They included measures taken within the school. They also told parents what their children had to do daily while at home. They said they were drawing up plans for pupils doing exams.

They were really helpful.

DoTheNextRightThing · 15/03/2020 21:34

The university I work in has suspended classes but is still open. We're all expected to be present and accounted for. It seems nobody wants to close.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 15/03/2020 21:35

WhiteCat1704

That isn't the UK Eton

AlecTrevelyan006 · 15/03/2020 21:35

Corona virus is here and it can't be stopped. It's how we manage it that matters from now on. Closing schools, too soon, will not help.

catspyjamas123 · 15/03/2020 21:37

@MintySpud Minecraft or death? I know which one I’d pick for my child. They can always catch up on education but not on being alive or having a working set of lungs.

colditz · 15/03/2020 21:37

I work in a school. I'm happy for us to stay open, but on 2 conditions. The first being that parents who want their children at home should keep them at home. The second being that children with a cough or a temperature are excluded for 7 days. Gvt attendance figures must take a back seat to public health.

Oh, and one last thing. We must, as a nation, accept that even if the schools stay open,the standard of education is going to be poorer than normal. Your child may sit and watch a DVD in the hall because there's only 2 teachers and a ta in.

Ameliabrowner · 15/03/2020 21:38

@GetRid
Exactly! Why the hell do people want school to cLose!?
Children are not affected by this and being home will only cause chaos and deprive them of a proper education, so many idiots!! You CANNOT just stop the world......

catspyjamas123 · 15/03/2020 21:38

And my DS’s uni has closed. It has a lot of wealthy overseas students who I suspect might sue for negligence should they keep holding lectures. All teaching will be online.

Aren’t schools meant to safeguard?

MintySpud · 15/03/2020 21:39

See, I think that's total bullshit. Our kids are not going to die en masse from going to school. This virus isn't doing that.

catspyjamas123 · 15/03/2020 21:42

I’ve seen a calculation that it could be two or three deaths in every secondary school. My child is NOT going there!

SeaEagleFeather · 15/03/2020 21:44

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MintySpud · 15/03/2020 21:44

Yeah, and I've seen the Muffin Man who lives on Drury Lane.

QueenBlueberries · 15/03/2020 21:45

Teachers are people too you now. Many of them are older, some have had cancer, some have respiratory problems, many have health issues. But it's fine, let's keep schools open because children are not affected too badly... What about the teachers?

OkMaybeNot · 15/03/2020 21:45

Children are not affected by this

Yes they are.

Graphista · 15/03/2020 21:45

Disclaimer: not a teacher nor do I have a school age child now.

But I have of course many loved ones who are school age or my friends/family are facing the dilemma you all are.

I’ve also a fair number of teachers/TA’s and other school employees in my circle and I’m seeing them post on fb unsure what to do.

1 friend is a dinner lady (that’s the term she uses before anyone jumps on me) BUT One of the reasons she does this job is she also helps her mum caring for her elderly and ill gran!

And I’m sure many school employees are in similar situations - have relatives and people they care for who fall into the “elderly or underlying illness” category.

Other countries have closed the schools BUT continued learning with a combination of online and work set before the schools closed and were told to take their books home

Closing schools, colleges and uni’s does NOT have to mean learning stops.

Why on Earth this govt is not doing the same I do not understand!

Reading various news reports I am of the opinion the real reasons for not properly locking Uk down are twofold:

1 economic - money is very much being prioritised over lives. Not only is this callous! It’s shortsighted too. The more employees get sick...or even die, the less productive we will be.

2 because it will show up just how underfunded and decimated social care has become! They’re saying it’s cos they’re worried lots of people self isolating will have problems with eg getting necessities delivered. Well that wouldn’t be a huge concern if a combination of social care and community support were feasible.

And I absolutely don’t just blame the tories but they’re the ones in charge so bear the majority of the responsibility, but the other parties and MPs have allowed things to get ludicrously bad too.

I think if EVERYONE withdrew their dc I can’t see the govt fining/prosecuting everyone. Safety in numbers ironically.

“Scotland most likely will to as they have more sensible leadership.”
You would think so eh? Apparently not! So far only “encouraging” people to “reduce social contact” if over 70 and they’re ‘discouraging’ large group events.

Nearlypassover · 15/03/2020 21:46

Actually minty, we don’t in all truth and honesty know.

My concern isn’t just death, it’s long term impact, e.g. infertility.

MigginsMrs · 15/03/2020 21:46

I hope they don’t close.

AnuvvaMuvva · 15/03/2020 21:47

So is anyone here not sending their D.C. in this week? What are you telling the school? I don't know what to do at all.

alloutoffucks · 15/03/2020 21:47

There are reports that the virus can cause male infertility. They have no idea how common it is. Why would I risk that for my son?

OkMaybeNot · 15/03/2020 21:48

My kids have coughs so won't be allowed to go.

I'm hoping they make the decision to close before they have to go back.

Original poster
MyDcAreMarvel · 15/03/2020 21:48

@DioneTheDiabolist
OP, if you want to keep your DC off school, do it. You dont have to wait for the government's permission.

I need to have no threat of fines or attendance offer, I would prefer but not essential work to be set.

Also re employers if you have to stay off to look after your children emergency leave can be given. Not if you “ are choosing too”

OP posts:
SnowsInWater · 15/03/2020 21:48

Schools aren’t closing here (Sydney) although schools have never been as draconian around fining for absence for the UK and I know people who are choosing to keep their kids at home with no consequences . We have had a daily e-mail from our school for the past week updating us on the situation and making it clear they are following government policy which for now is that schools only close if there is a case in the school community. On Wednesday all pupils from years 3-11 at our school will be trialling the remote learning plan that has been out in place which I think is sensible as it gives them a chance to iron out the snags before (if) it becomes necessary to implement it fully. I think one of the problems with closing schools is the fact that after a few days of having bored, whiny kids at home, a lot of people will not do the right thing and stay home, in some ways having kids in schools makes it easier to trace contacts, etc. if there is a problem.

IWantChocolates · 15/03/2020 21:51

If schools do remain open I agree with a pp that it will essentially end up being akin to babysitting, with little real teaching involved. I'm not a class teacher anymore but I'm now peripatetic for the council. So I'm sure if school-based teachers are off and I'm well, I will be asked to step in to a school to "teach" unknown kids, possibly 40 of them from different year groups. Let's just say that I'll do my best to provide some learning, but trying to pitch appropriately for children you haven't taught before, whose names you may not know, educational or medical needs you may be unaware of... Nightmare.