NHS Coronavirus information. Information from gov.uk. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have health concerns, please seek medical attention.
Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
NHS Coronavirus information. Information from gov.uk. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have health concerns, please seek medical attention.
Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
Covid
Did I miss something in the press conference- school closures?
souldivachakkakahn · 16/03/2020 17:28
I listened. The only time closures warranted a mention was an aside for "maybe later" measures. Did I miss something?
Now, if keeping schools open is the best course of action, then ok. But the fact that so many people are anxious about kids going to school, there are petitions etc. How could they not dedicate some time to explain why the advice was not changing yet? People need information to make informed decisions.
Bloody hell.
Mistlewoeandwhine · 16/03/2020 17:30
I think people will stop their kids going soon, taking matters into their own hands.
Butterwhy · 16/03/2020 17:31
They have said from the beginning schools will close when the time is right. Some people need their children in school to be able to work, closing school will also likely mean childcare settings to close. They are probably relying on people to take their children out to reduce numbers now, although the official line is to keep them off I can't imagine them issuing loads of fines; especially when households can use the 2 weeks isolation rule.
Greenkit · 16/03/2020 17:32
Schools need to keep open to allow essential workers to keep going to work.
Police officers will be ordered to attend, holiday cancelled.
I say time and time again, if we close the schools WHO IS LOOKING AFTER EMERGENCY WORKERS CHILDREN?
souldivachakkakahn · 16/03/2020 17:33
I know schools are staying open. My issue is that the rationale for that wasn't discussed. I understand what has already been said about it, and my children will continue to go. But, so many people are struggling to understand why everyone else has closed them. It really did deserve some time spent on it.
theflushedzebra · 16/03/2020 17:35
Schools will remain open - but according to my DC who actually attended school today (for exams) - it was half empty. Some parents are choosing to take their children out - and probably leaving them half empty would go some way in preventing the spread.
I would like an assurance that parents who isolate their dc from school will not be fined/lose their school places.
I am constantly wondering why we aren't closing the schools, when everyone else is though...
souldivachakkakahn · 16/03/2020 17:35
@Greenkit no need to bloody shout. I'm not saying they should close. I'm saying they did nothing to allay people's fears about that course of action.
StillbreathingStillhere · 16/03/2020 17:36
I say time and time again, if we close the schools WHO IS LOOKING AFTER EMERGENCY WORKERS CHILDREN?
You may wish to therefore question what happens when there are not enough staff to keep them open...then what? Any suggestions?
NomadNoMore · 16/03/2020 17:37
I'm in France schools are closed for lessons but still accepting children of key workers.
Dementedswan · 16/03/2020 17:38
But it makes no sense to say people in risk groups should stay home for 12 weeks yet it's ok for their kids to go to school? How does that work?
Theworldisfullofgs · 16/03/2020 17:38
Lots of reasons:
A: essential workers (which also include food retailers and delivery drivers).
B: safeguarding of vulnerable children/families.
C: feeding some families (and collecting for food banks).
Honestly, dont know what the right answer is. When they shut things in Spain and italy the virus spread as people moved around the country.
We're looking at if we were asked to keep the school partially open for essential workers. Bit tough, telling someone their kid has to go, but equally might be better than being looked after by grandparents.
theflushedzebra · 16/03/2020 17:39
What is so different about the UK that we "can't" close schools, but almost the whole of mainland Europe/Ireland can?
Bubblysqueak · 16/03/2020 17:39
I don't get it, avoid social interaction yet they'll still let 1600 teenagers be in a school.
Greenkit · 16/03/2020 17:39
No idea at this moment in time because the virus is twisting and changing all the time. It could blow out in a few weeks or months.
Its important we keep the country going as beat we can, if you can take time out and you want to take your children out of school carry on. But I don't think we can just close ALL schools.
Children don't seem to be getting a bad strain of the virus, so far
BirdieDance · 16/03/2020 17:39
You can't sit in a restaurant but you can sit in a classroom. This is a purely economic decision, no doubt about it.
TiredMummyXYZ · 16/03/2020 17:40
Other countries have managed childcare for medical staff. The government doesn’t want to pay out.
theflushedzebra · 16/03/2020 17:41
I can almost see the writings in the history books now - "the decision not to close schools and lockdown in the UK..."
Or will it be the other way around (I personally don't think so) - either way it is a "brave" (and lonely) path the UK govt is taking.
NellyGrace · 16/03/2020 17:42
I was sat watching with DD who's off today - she has a chronic health condition. As they started to talk about underlying health conditions - she said 'that's me'. She understood about 12 weeks isolation. She understood schools were not being closed. She was flummoxed.
I don't know whether she was feeling the same as me - which was they don't give a shit about vulnerable kids. I hope she wasn't.
meditrina · 16/03/2020 17:42
I thought they were implying very heavily 'open for now'
There are all sorts of rumours about closures as soon as this Friday, or shortly thereafter.
And the new rules for family isolation will deplete classrooms rapidly.
HoldMyLobster · 16/03/2020 17:42
I'm in the US - schools are closed but our state DHHS is setting up childcare options for emergency workers' children. It's also working with healthcare organisations to set up childcare for their employees.
People locally are offering to help by setting up their own temporary childcare settings, usually with just a few children.
University students are setting up FB groups to connect with people who need childcare.
Free school meals are being made available at the same location they're made available throughout the school holidays.
MyDcAreMarvel · 16/03/2020 17:43
I say time and time again, if we close the schools WHO IS LOOKING AFTER EMERGENCY WORKERS CHILDREN?
The same people as in other countries!!
HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 16/03/2020 17:44
Well 4 members of staff in my dept of 10 have children isolated for coughs / temps so that means they should now be staying at home another dept is already down to two. Supply teachers are cover g every where else so schools will have to close soon as there won't be enough staff.
Stellaris22 · 16/03/2020 17:44
I hadn't thought about fines and effect on attendance. I am self isolating as I have a cough, and advised over the phone by my GP. New rules saying whole family needs to self isolate obviously means DD can't go to school, would also like reassurances fines won't happen.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.