Did I miss something in the press conference- school closures?

[souldivachakkakahn]

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.

We have now been advised not to go to pubs, restaurants and theatres. It’s advice. Not backed up by police enforcement.

I think it’s a good idea keeping them open. The ratio of children to adults is high, children contained and getting an education.
The economy is imploding. The more people able to earn money and keep us in food, loo rolls and fuel the better.

Schools are not to close yet. They're monitoring the situation.. I think it's fair. I thought we'd make it to Easter but maybe the numbers are rising too fast to wait til then

When schools are closed the government should make allowances for key workers. Read this NY times article.’if the most selfish county in the world can manage it I’m sure we can.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/03/15/nyregion/nyc-schools-closed.amp.html%3f0p19G=0038

Dropping this here, it’s worth a read: medium.com/@michael.g.head/uk-response-to-coronavirus-why-i-think-its-appropriate-b5d748b2c16

the schools wont close until absolutely necessary. Its not time yet. Most kids and most people who are not in the vulnerable groups wont be badly affected so, to be blunt, as long as those 2 groups are safe then it doesnt matter if the rest get it.
And if someone gets it who's kid is at school then they do 14 day lockdown and then go back to school/work.

However IF you have a vulnerable adult within your household I think its OK to keep your kid home from school because the aim is to protect the vulnerable adults. Or make a risk assessment on it. But be prepared to be in the house for 12 weeks. No popping out for a play date. No day trips. Dont take the kids to the shops. If you are going to do that you might as well keep them at school.

My daughter has cystic fibrosis, diabetes and a heart problem. My son is at school and I work on my family farm. I view my job as low risk as working outside, mainly alone. My son is in a very small private school where they have been hyper vigilant about excluding from right back before half term. My risk assesmment involves him staying at school and me continuing to work and extra washing and cleaning measures in the household, with the kids not interacting as much as possible. I appreciate in regards my circumstances I am lucky. However our rural tourism business is likely to be floored, so maybe not.
But I dont think its imperitive to close schools right now.

In my school there were quite a lot of pupils absent today. We expect this to rise. Oh and we have also had a few cases of norovirus to add to the mix!

I’m happy to be in school and teaching children - their parents need to work especially if they have frontline jobs. I do think that our pregnant teachers should work from home though.

The FA has just postponed all grassroots football. I totally understand that decision, but equally I'm frustrated that they are expected to go to school as that's deemed low risk. If coaches had still been willing to train, it would have been nice to be able to continue. But I know it can't

You can keep your children home now. If you are wealthy and doing a job that doesn't really matter very much then stay at home and keep the kids there.
You will want to give them lessons of course unless you want them to fall behind, but no one is stopping you.

Schools will close soon (this week or next), they have already started creating and planning how to do virtual classes

Surely by the time it reaches its peak it's too late to implement it then?? I'm in Ireland and all schools, colleges and creches are closed. As now all pubs and soon all coffee shops and restaurants will be. These should all be closed NOW to ensure the numbers DON'T hit the peak!! It's backwards.

We have now been advised not to go to pubs, restaurants and theatres. It’s advice. Not backed up by police enforcement

Yet.

What's the point of 'advising' people not to go to pubs/theatres/restaurants etc - if you don't want people to go, tell those places to close down and take some responsibility for them. Gov is still not communicating clearly.

I know of 3 families who have pulled their children out of schools (all people I personally know, so not a friend of someone on a facebook group).

People are beginning to take matters into their own hands.

LastTrain that's what I'm doing, I'm lucky enough to be able to work from home so I've pulled both kids out of school and we are isolating at home and home educating for now. I figure at least this means there is one fewer kid in each of their classes to make it easier for the rest of the class to do social distancing.

The kids seem to like it - we'll see how we go. I wasn't much cop as a SAHM when they were babies, hence going back to work but now they're older and a bit more self-sufficient we may be ok for a while. I've been trying to maintain a school routine for them, different subjects, snack breaks, playtime, etc. and sticking on a youtube TedEd video every time I have a work call.

If I had children of school age, I would take them out now! Boris is making unwise decisions. Trust your instincts.

I’ve ever ever been so relieved not to have children. They over-complicate everything.

@StillbreathingStillhere the point would be that there would be childcare while the virus was at its peak. then if schools had to close due to lack off staff the peak would have hopefully passed by then!

They won't be fining people for taking the kids out of school. If you want to keep them off but are concerned about a fine, just say that they/someone in the family has a cough and fever and that you're all isolating. The schools aren't going to be checking up on that and issuing fines.

We have had a letter from the head (primary) saying - follow government advice and keep at home, don’t give medicine to mask symptoms, we will send them home and also
If you are worried about your child or another vulnerable adult then it’s fine to keep them home, they will be marked as unavoidable absence. I thought that was great.

I don't think schools will close. Boris does not like to be seen to give in to public pressure. They are saying that the strategies they put in place today are robust enough.

Schools who are putting measures into place are doing so without any insider knowledge. No schools have received advice to prepare online learning, they are choosing to do so.

I'm in a vulnerable group, but as long as I am expected to work and schools are still open, I have to send them in. I can't afford not to.

"What's the point of 'advising' people not to go to pubs/theatres/restaurants etc - if you don't want people to go, tell those places to close down and take some responsibility for them. Gov is still not communicating clearly."

A ban may follow. Starting with a ban is draconian. This is nudge first, stick later. There are quite a few behavioural scientists on the planning team, aren't there?

BBC news said its unclear what will happen to parents who keep kids off school for this... in terms of fines. I kept mine off today and am unsure what to do now, as I thought they would close Friday but I am now doubtful.