It’s never going to happen is it?

[MyDcAreMarvel]

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.

@TSSDNCOP it’s not happening at my school and I know that because I am immune compromised the school know that. They also know my dc are disabled.

If you are not 100% sure about taking them out of school long term, phone in on Monday, say they have a cough or temperature, and you are self isolating them as the government advises.
That gives you a week to think it over.
You do not need to make a longer term decision now.

Kids can catch &spread, but are in a very very low risk group.
Shutting schools doesn’t directly benefit the kids. Is it OK to deny kids education and company of there peers for someone else’s’ good?
Obviously looking at a population level, not at those kids whose parents or siblings are likely to become seriously ill.

I would prefer them to shut schools-DD is primary aged and both she and I have asthma.

Also kids are in a very low risk group of dying, we know nothing about longer term side effects.
I just don't understand why anyone would gamble with their families health by sending kids to school if you don't have to.

And as I said if you are unsure, just phone say they have a feber and you are isolating them for a week as the government advises. And that gives you a week to think about it. I suspect a lot will have changed in a weeks time.

There are approximately 650,000 deaths each year from flu.
There's also an average of 132 suicides per day but this barely get's a mention.

There's been in TOTAL of 10,000 deaths from corona virus!!

There's been in TOTAL of 10,000 deaths from corona virus!!

you might want to calculate (or google) the total of deaths over ONE YEAR if we keep going the way we are. Just for fun, give it a go.

Ignoring the fact that the UK can't even help these dying from the flu as it is, so ADDING another medical issue to the existing mess.
Covid 19 hasn't remove the flu!

@Nicky00

If Coronavirus were to magically stop today you’d have a point, but a brand new virus that is estimated to have a 0.6% mortality rate (as per the UK chief medical officer) will kill tens of millions if left unchecked.

Would you say if your curtains caught alight: “oh don’t worry, it’s only the curtains that on fire, they only cost me £50, and I spent more than that on a night out last week! There’s no point being worried about it - I’ll just pour myself another wine and carry on watching tv”...... Of course you wouldn’t. Surely you can see the analogy with Coronavirus

@Nicky00P Presumably when you mention flu deaths you are talking world wide? So including African countries with a very high death rate?

The annual death rate in England and Wales from all causes including cancer, heart attacks, car accidents, suicides is about 500,000.
The Governments estimated death rate from this virus is 500,000.

Please don't post misleading statistics..

And the reason there has not been more deaths from the corona virus is because of measures such as lock downs. If these countries just let most of their populations get the virus the death rate would have been much higher.
Using the governments own figures, 500,000 will die in the UK from the corona virus. You may be willing to push that aside, I am not.

Given how many staff will be off sick or isolating with cold symptoms, I think most parents would be able to do a better job educating children at home. Those that can (I can) should, which will also improve matters for everyone else’s children.
It’s utter madness that they haven’t issued permission to take children out for anyone who wants to keep their children home.

Yes it will very quickly just become a babysitting service anyway.

the only reason i have a worry on it is because of the way teacehrs can enforce hygiene where some at home deff wont.
and especially in cases of neglect and domesti violance situations.
as a key worker of someone to where school is the only place they are safe my friends is scared shitless the little boy she looks over could be a severe risk! of course the system cant help him.other then going to school and getting out of that fucking home.its the only place he is safe and is able to eat.she worries for him and others like him.
but every point people are making is thought prevoking.
its so hard.
and that is what is scary,its such an unkown fear.and that what brings the heaviness of it that seems to be their all the time.
i do think there are more could be done.even blppdy advets on tv telling us/reminding us to wash our hands througnout the day,how to wash them.getting the kids involved in videos that make it fun to wash etc.some more advice and support that makes it less like we are being abandon to sit and worry ourelves fucking silly.

If teachers get very ill will they be expecting medical treatment or will they be alright with the fact that medical staff are staying home because they have vulnerable relatives? I have vulnerable relatives and 2 asthnatic children, I still have to go to work (and it is government work) no one is telling me I can stay home, no one is telling the poor sods in Tesco that they can stay home because people still expect their food.

It is clearly only teachers we should be worried about right?

@kateandme

Is there much point to this handwashing now?.... or at least once the elderly are in isolation?... The Government want children to be at school in part so they do catch Coronavirus, so we can all build herd immunity with the old and vulnerable protected in isolation. Hand-washing has its use in slowing Coronavirus transmission, but given 40 million us need to contract this before next winter so we get this herd immunity, we won’t achieve this if we are overly hygenic! The fact that we’re taking the opposite approach to other countries in this respect hasn’t really sunk in for many yet.

is there much point to this handwashing now?..

yes there is. and always has been tbh.

@woodencoffeetable

Of course, it is good general hygiene, but my point is whether it serves much purpose now regarding Coronavirus if 60-80% of us need to get it?

Of course, the old and vulnerable need to be isolated first, but the only way we stand a chance of getting this herd immunity this year is if we all go about our lives completely normally; continuing to mix and socialise at close quarters, shaking hands, being a little bit grubby and not worrying too much about coughs and sneezes.

I’m not advocating not washing hands as it is generally good hygiene. I just don’t see how it fits in now with the Government’s apparent strategy.

Is there much point to this handwashing now?.... or at least once the elderly are in isolation?...

Is this actually a serious question?

The fact that we’re taking the opposite approach to other countries in this respect hasn’t really sunk in for many yet

It's sunk in, doesn't mean I have to accept it.

My children are out of education now, but if they were in school, I would not be sending them in regardless.

Is this actually a serious question?

It is a serious question if you accept the Government’s strategy given that we need to be spreading it to get herd immunity, otherwise we’ll get to next winter and only 20-30% will have caught it and the sacrifice will have been in vain.

For what it’s worth, I think we should continue to wash our hands.

the only reason i have a worry on it is because of the way teacehrs can enforce hygiene where some at home deff wont

There is no hand have and minimal soap at my school. The schools itself is pretty dirty. I can do my best, but I think your expectations are not realistic

I don't get the 'can't take them out or I will be fined'

It's your child. If you are really so against the government policy then take you bloody child out.

My kids will stay at school for as long as possible as I don't disagree with the policy at this time. Even though I wfh and also could easily pay the fine.

We do live on a country where you can make your own choice essentially. There may be consequences but a fine- seriously??

Fines are the least of my worries, quite honestly.

Besides, just say your kid is ill.

no one is telling me I can stay home, no one is telling the poor sods in Tesco that they can stay home

I see your point, but equally no one is telling you that you have to go into work because you're part of a government strategy to catch it and contribute to herd immunity.

Im in a Government building doing government work so yeah I kind of am actually.

@LonginesPrime yes DH was advised to self isolate if possible but said as long as children are not showing symptoms they can carry on as normal, government advise again.

It's completely impractical but here we are I'm not sure what else we can do without being penalised by the school for pulling the kids out