The exit plan and schools.

[NeverGuessWho]

I know this whole thread will be hearsay, but I’m just interested in hearing people’s opinions of where schools are likely to fit in to the exit plan?

A friend thinks they will be opened early on, as this will free up more people to work, and hence enable furloughed workers to return to work. This will crucially save money.

IMHO, schools will be one of the last restrictions to be lifted. Once schools are opened, there will effectively be multiple mass gatherings in every town and city, all at the same time. Surely this will result in a surge of cases of the virus.

Unless of course, they pursue the antibodies/certified passport route?

What do people think?

Long post but I’m just so angry at some people’s blindsided view of this!

In some other countries that are ahead of us, it seems to be the school that are the last thing to reopen and when they do, it’s with vastly reduced class sizes, regular testing for staff and also a requirement to wear masks.

I would hope that our exit strategy considers these things as well.

I would hope that our exit strategy considers these things as well.

Agreed. Based on current science an exit strategy without comprehensive test and trace doesn’t seem very credible, but it depends on what the infection minimisation goal is I guess.

Fantastic post Davinastoad!

Yes schools are full of germs -that's never gonna change. But those who are hysterically insisting their kids won't go back are doing their children no favours. A fearful life life is no life. I will happily go back as soon as I am allowed and will rejoice to see the kids of parents with commune sense. By all means keep the other lot at home, but don't jeopardise the mental health and prospects of the majority for the sake of a hysterical minority.

Hope you aren't a teacher...what a staggering lack of empathy for those dc who may be shielding, or whose parents may be shielding.

Is following government advice seen as 'hysterical' now?

We know davinastoad - we have kids! But the longer the kids are off the more bankruptcies etc

I hope the government is getting some China level plans in place and fast.

I completely agree teaching with any sort of mask on would he near on impossible but I have no other idea in terms of how to expect schools to return to business as usual without putting staff at risk.

Bully for you Stella. Some of us call it common sense. You sound like a zealot.

I hope you go back soon and it all comes up smelling of roses for you.

@Davincitoad
I agree with you 100%.

I don't even know where to begin.
The posters who said schools were safe environments - did you consider the teachers, the actual PEOPLE who make schooling possible? Schools are not safe environments for thousands of teachers at the moment. This is one of the reasons why many schools had to close before Boris' announcement - they simply didn't have enough staff.

Reading some of these posts makes it so clear why teachers leave the profession or just leave UK to work overseas...

Schools will open when it's safe for staff to go back. And not a minute sooner.

Laprofesora. I totally agree with you.

But l fear we will be sent back before it is safe to do so😢

Yet teachers expect other workers to continue to work to pay their wages at risk of their own health though... my son delivers groceries for a living and okay he is not in a classroom with children but I doubt it is safe. Loads of workers still have to cram on to the tube all day. Others work in factories close to others. We are risking all this to pay salaries of teachers and nurses.

Xenia you really are a delight aren’t you? Are you actually Katie Hopkins?

Most teachers expect everyone eho can work from home to do so. Many have partners who were s

Given we are under a Tory government, with Micheal Gove in one of the most senior positions, why do people think they won't hesitate to order teachers to staff reopened schools?

Teachers are just people with jobs. Very dedicated, often very selfless people (usually to their own detriment). People with contracts and mortgages to pay. If the schools are reopened by government order, there is really very little that teachers will be able to. They can go to work, or they can resign. Same as everyone else in jobs that are still working.

As for PPE in the classroom, fucking hell, they aren't even giving that to health care staff!

I think restrictions on private nurseries, childminders and holiday clubs will lift over the summer and schools back in September. Gives some boost to the economy but a gentler transition than all back at once which should mitigate the health impacts.

Thing is what are china actually doing as it looks like they are reppening whilt trying to keep it out.
Whereas other countries are trying to slow the spread.
But if uk are going for herd then we may lose a lot more people than anywhere else if they find drugs to treat it or even the bcg might help

There is no 'safe' -everyday life is full of dangers 'twere ever thus. The human race would have died out long ago if everyone cowered terrified of their own shadow.

There may not be a 'safe' but it is entirely possibly to lower risk factors. A sensible idea.

Yes schools are full of germs -that's never gonna change.

True. Those genes won't always be high risk of containing a deadly virus though.

But those who are hysterically insisting their kids won't go back are doing their children no favours. A fearful life life is no life.

Do you really not have the ability to think?

I will happily go back as soon as I am allowed and will rejoice to see the kids of parents with commune sense.

Are you seriously suggesting people who are shrouding or have children who are sheilding have no common sense? We are the people who will probably die if we contract this virus. Common sense tells us to do everything we can to avoid that.

By all means keep the other lot at home, but don't jeopardise the mental health and prospects of the majority for the sake of a hysterical minority.

That 'hysterical minority' are just people who want to live.

What an awful attitude towards other people

I find myself agreeing with Xenia - which must be a first!

As a teacher, i am not expecting to be able to stay at home until someone can guarantee that I am 'completely safe' at work - that's neither reasonable nor realistic.

What I am expecting is that when i return to work, it will be when someone has carefully considered, and mitigated as far as possible, the balance of risks.

Just like a Tesco driver now delivers to the doorstep, stands well back, may have gloves, doesn't ask a customer to sign the handset, delivers food in bags and (I expect) has procedures for social distancing at work when loading trays and vans - those don't remove the risk, but they are planned procedures and processes to reduce the risk. Tesco drivers and other employees who are in the 'vulnerable' groups - not the 12 weekers, but those with asthma, pregnant, etc - are at home on full pay.

I think it is only fair that when teachers return to work, sufficient regard should be given to adapting who goes into school, and how schools run, to again reduce the risk to a more reasonable level. I fear, with recent guidance about no PPE in schools, no testing of teachers and rationed cleaning products, this may not quite be what is planned...

@cantkeepawayforever

I think they plan would be schools open Monday, crack on. When you can’t staff it anymore close for a bit. We will mention the staff who die at some point.

What I am expecting is that when i return to work, it will be when someone has carefully considered, and mitigated as far as possible, the balance of risks.

Absolutely.

I guess that is what people are worried about. Whilst other countries are opening schools in a heavily modified way with vigorous testing, contact tracing and reduced numbers, it is reasonable to question what this would like like in our own country.

Davinci,

I agree.

I am just trying to make it clear that it isn't that I will 'cower at home until everything is safe' [which is what some people imply]. I just want, as any worker in this crisis wants, a reasonable, thought-through risk management plan, that recognises some risks are unavoidable, but many can and should be mitigated.

Schools will open when it's safe for staff to go back.

But that's not the primary reason why they closed in the first place. Yes, there were staffing issues, but they closed because of the perceived risk to the wider community of virus spread via children. The powers-that-be couldn't give a shiny shit about safety for staff, as has been proven by the lack of PPE for nhs staff and bus drivers, for example. The moment they decide that kids being in school is not a massive risk, they'll be open before you can say "Ofsted," and stuff the teachers' safety.

@perniciousdot
Thank you. Exactly that.
I resent being told that I'm hysterical. Last week a 5yo and a 13yo died from this virus. The 13yo had no underlying conditions. His family couldn't even attend his funeral! Now, will you call them hysterical if they decide to protect their other children (if they have any) and keep them at home for as long as they have to? I don't think so.
It's all good and well until someone you love dies.

@CallmeAngelina

Stuff the teachers' safety? Well, good luck with that. Many won't go back and there will be massive staffing problems.

@TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince
I know. But I think many will refuse to go back. And rightly so.