The right way to close schools

[Natsku]

They've just announced closing schools in Finland and they are making some exceptions - 1-3rd graders (so up to 10 years old children, who most need care during the day) whose parents are essential workers will get school arranged specially for them so their parents can go to work. (Daycares are also staying open but everyone who can care for their children at home are being encouraged to do so)

This is surely the way for the UK to go, the people that are really needed can still go to work but most children won't be in schools and then spreading their germs everywhere. All social things like pools and libraries and clubs are being closed too so children aren't likely to be out and about otherwise.

Seems like a sensible solution. Although our pm is not a sensible man, so unlikely we'll follow suit.

Oh and also schooling will be provided for SEN children who need it

What’s an essential worker? Councils run the infrastructure for counties- are they counted? Supermarkets need staff to stay open, do they count? In fact, name a non- essential job... personal trainer?

Yes - I wish our schools would do the same. My husband and I both WFH and can manage our kids between us. All we're waiting for is the OK to do this really.

Makes no sense to me either schools need to
Close, Or they don’t. Keeping the younger ones who are probably the worst at personal hygiene and catch every bug In classes seems pointless. Also keeping those at a more critical point of their education and with exams off—- why?!
Personally I don’t think we should close schools yet.

I think that when schools shut they should do something similar, secondary age dc can (usually, mostly) be left whilst their parents work. In primaries I think a skeleton staff, perhaps supported by volunteers, could take care of dc whose parents have nowhere else for them to go to enable them to continue working. Several of my friends are going to struggle because their parents, who can normally be called upon, are over 70 so can't in this instance.

So we are shutting schools but running a school like environment ?! Also who decides what’s a critical job, what about people who have to work but roles aren’t seen as critical?!

I assume they will make a list of which jobs are considered essential when they draw up the legislation tomorrow.

I popped out from work at lunchtime to pick up some snacks for the office, the local school has closed and there were kids everywhere, in amongst the retirement-aged people who, presumably, are stocking up in anticipation of isolation. I'm now convinced widespread school closures wouldn't be a terribly good idea without a curfew (which doesn't seem enforceable).

I don't think they should to draw up a list of essential jobs, just provide care for those who have really nowhere else to send their dc in order to work. I think a lot of people could call on friends/favours, work from home, work around each other, work part time anyway so it would only be for those who had no choice??

Maybe it would be decided between the schools and the parents, I don't really know. In any case, the more children staying home, the better it is for flattening the curve.

Yes, I think people should be allowed to keep children at home if they can, then less children are at school, teacher can have time to remind children to clean hand etc.

It surely only if they do actually keep the children at home - not out in parks, or on play dates or in childcare, or in supermarkets. Our local soft play and McDonald’s were heaving with kids whose parents decided to take their kids out of school.

If children stay home, parents can't work. Given the numbers on temp, contract and zero hours work, who won't get paid if they have to stay home, I think this should be a last resort. How are they going to pay rent, bills, food?

Closing schools will work only of people keep those kids at home, though often its grandparents who may be minding them. I don't think they will until the shops and play centres and parks close too, though if my children's school closes they will be learning remotely as they are in secondary. They are a low risk population in general and I think it's better sense to keep them in school as long as possible.

Anyone else noticed that the petition to parliament to close schools keeps having a longer and longer time for a debate? (now 9 days with 10 days to reply).

I would post a link, but when I did that before a poster said it was spam so it was removed.

It's odd I can work from home as encouraged to socially distance, yet I manage personal hygiene well and can drive myself in by car, but my DC who are not as careful are still in school. While I drop my youngest in my eldest is on a bus of often vulnerable people (she is still often having to stand as we are one of the last stops) and many of her friends get trains in. I am not sure the government are thinking about schools that involve public transport.

Following signing the government petition online, I received an email today from the government petition site (petition UK) offering me the option to ask up to 3 questions, so it is being raised in a petitions committee.
I worry my children will catch it and spread it to vulnerable groups, although I know they are likely to be safe themselves.

We don't know actuate figs for children and who said they are affected.

Even teens in a park will be safer than teens squashed into stuffy schools!

Op so many countries have done this, its the most sensible thing and keeps it open for those that need it, keeps jobs open!

Enough of course and I over sea my dc hygiene when with me. The younger is actually much better than the older!
I asked 3 questions. I said how can you guarantee anyone's safety without testing. How can schools claim no cases with no test?

I also asked, why can't those that can take dc out.

DD's school has sent out a list of who are classed as essential workers (though any of those who can keep their children home, for instance if there are older siblings who can look after them, are asked to keep them home)
People working in the following sectors:
Health and social care
Life saving (fire, paramedics, coast guard)
Military
Police
Pharmacy
Food shops
Childcare
Some teaching staff
Single parents (who have to go to work)
Food service
Water and sewerage
Waste
Electricians
Powerplants
Some thing I can't translate so not sure what it is
Cleaners

So quite a lot of occupations are considered essential but already half her school are out (4th-6th graders) and then most likely most of the 1st-3rd graders as its quite unlikely to be many families with both parents working in those sectors.

How can offices with so few people close but schools stay open. My class sizes are up to 31 - I teach 180 kids a week, have a firm group of 20 in a school of 1100. Today’s cover list is horrendous