Still no sign of who key workers are or two parent rule?

[Drogonssmile]

As an NHS worker whose husband earns double what I earn, if the rumours are true and both parents need to be a "key worker" for children to attend school or nursery, then I'll be off from Monday and on unpaid leave for the foreseeable future.

The idea struck me though, and I wouldn't do it myself, what is to stop someone in my situation going off sick with stress due to trying for sort out childcare etc and getting paid full pay for 6 months? (NHS sick pay).

I don't mind doing my bit at all but think my children should be offered a place so we can financially keep some stability

People need to get it out of their heads that this is only affecting the very elderly or the very sick.

China stopped the curve well before it started picking off the younger, healthier population.

We have reacted far worse than China.

We've probably reacted far worse than Italy.

In Italy right now, there are younger, healthier people in ICUs on ventilators.

But sure... everyone fob their kids off to multiple other kids and staff, when there is frankly absolutely no life or death need.

Bring your kids who will have a much higher chance of exposure into a school with other kids, just so you can have a bit of financial stability.

Could you also please explain exactly why you're more deserving of financial security than any other person in this country? Why your financial security is more important than the health of your school's staff?

I'll repeat, this should be treated as any other emergency service. Stop trying to justify abusing it.

I suspect the numbers actually going into school will drop off fast, anyway - the SAHM married to a nurse might think she'll still send the kids in but a week of them whinging that it's very boring and they're just cooped up with other random kids and it won't seem like such a good idea. I think it'll level out to the point where only people who actually need to will be doing so quite fast.

Come Tuesday I predict a lot of outraged threads about what a rubbish 'service' schools are providing on MN

Give them chance. They've only just announced it and they're a bit busy at the moment

I have current medical treatment ongoing, I'm also part time, non essential and can work from home. My husband is the higher earner and a key worker. If my children can't go to school on the days I have treatment then they will have to go to grandparents putting them at risk. My husband had booked leave and shifts around my care but my appointments have been changed. I hope my children can go but they'd only need to go two days a week.

@LisaSimpsonsbff as many people have said, why can't it be limited to families where both parents are working? Then the situation you describe wouldn't occur

@LisaSimpsonsbff I've predicted it will go the other way

Week 1: SOCIAL DISTANCING!! I dont want my kids catching/speading disease and aahh isn't it lovely to have all this family time

Week 3: get these kids away from meee!!!

You only have to look at how many memes/comments have sprung up from parents before the end of the first week about how hard trying to wfh/home school/survive with the kids off...

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Come Tuesday I predict alotof outraged threads about what a rubbish 'service' schools are providing on MN

I fear you're right. I will leave MN once I see a few popping up. I'm fed up of trying to convince people on here that we're not all moaning slackers. I've never met such vitriol because of my profession before, not even from disrespectful parents.

I see it was emergency childcare and so covers the key worker for when they are working only.

A lot of mums in my sons school are saying they will send their child/ren Monday to Friday even though they are part time or have a partner working from home and that school is business as usual for their children.

I think this is unfair and taking the proverbial to all the other parents who are juggling working and childcare. I work in schools and have offered to help, but I don't see why I should put my self at a higher risk with more kids in a class because selfish parents want their kids in school all week, when they aren't working on the frontline or have a partner working from home.

The list is... huge.

Glad to see the two parent rule is mentioned though, at least.

Found this document linked.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

Saying care given " if required" even if one key worker families.
And No suitable arrangements can be made to look after child safely at home.

Where is the two parent rule listed? I can’t see if

Bingo. Already got a SAHM crowing on FB that she can send her kid to school.

Thought everyone was clambering for the schools to be shut a few days ago?!

There is separate parental guidance to confuse matters
It does say one parent can qualify but it also says
The government has said that “many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home”, and that “every child who can be safely cared for at home should be”.

I would say the SAHM would be expected to care for the child at home but that is just my opinion

1.8 states, in effect, you must go to work if you are a critical worker. You’re child doesn’t have to go to school if you have some other arrangement.

Not going to help my situation. Child can go to school but transport no longer provided to special needs school as not enough kids on the couch to run it financially. So he can’t there unless I take him but I need to be in work. I really don’t think I they understand how many NHS staff will be forced to take unpaid leave if they make it a 2 parent rule.

"Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be" is all that matters. We need to limit social contact to reduce the spread of this virus. Half of the point of closing schools is that it will impact on parents, so that fewer are going in to work. This reduces social contact twice over. The decision to close schools has not been taken lightly.

I will be in school, caring for the children that need it. Please don't even consider sending your children unless there is really no safe way to provide for them at home.

@qweryuiop

That's exactly my sentiment. Happy to be in school for those that have no alternative but to be there.

List in the Guardian today

@TheCountessatHotelCortez I can find out. I know he’s had to set up two massive screens at home but will find out more.

@TheGriffle I don't think either of you will fit the criteria I'm afraid. I got this from school yesterday

@Drogonssmile www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/20/key-worker-official-list-of-uk-personnel-who-can-still-send-children-to-school

@Drogonssmile @banjaxxed Here is clarification from .Gov website that it is indeed just ONE parent! 👍🏻

Anybody knows if that includes TAs? Also is the official line keep them at home if possible even if eligible?