Social distancing in schools- mental health

[Myfriendanxiety]

Does anyone else feel that they would rather home school their children indefinitely than send them to a school where they have to social distance?

I really worry about the mental health of children if they are forced to sit alone at desks 2m apart from others without any proper play time or interaction. I just can’t see how this type of schooling is going to be beneficial to children and how it will create a positive learning environment.

My DS has another year before he starts school luckily- but if he were starting in September to a school system based on social distancing then I wouldn’t be sending him.

I wouldn't be surprised if an attempt to close or even fully implement social distancing in schools and childcare until there's a vaccine ended up in court tbh. Especially if the evidence continues to support the Dutch view. They'd have difficulty showing that the actions being taken would be in the best interests of children.

Many people have said about teachers having underlying conditions I'm saying that doesn't preclude schools opening, it means those individuals will need to be having discussions with their manager about their individual risks, just like everyone else is doing.

2) Go back with no social distancing measures in place, accepting the risks that brings, if any

That would be my preferred option.

They can't stay closed indefinitely and at least there's no deception this way.

@ChipotleBlessing That is really interesting.
Research is coming out on children daily from all different countries. I said on another thread this is really positive (not many agreed!).

But if children don’t seem to be badly affected, aren’t super spreaders then surely this is a good thing. Obviously there will be exceptions but on the whole the risk to children and teachers could be low.

I know we need more research but hopefully in a couple of weeks we will have this information. There has been zero research to say children are super spreaders

Whaddyathinkofthis

I agree with you re not trying to social distance. The exception might be around drop off/pick up (for parents) and around the teachers distancing from each other, since it seems that this might actually be the highest risk element. But broadly, I think when schools and childcare open then need to be able to do so relatively normally.

Very interesting article about Europe and schools in The Times today for anyone who has access.

I don't have access piggy.

What does it say?

I thought this was quite interesting too.

There does seem research coming through that under 10s are not super spreaders.

Very hard to summarise and DH ahs pinched the paper. Essentially the French are in disarray and cannot agree at all (sounds rather like what I expect will happen here). The French are waaaaay more actively unionised that the UK (despite what some may think ) and even have a very vocal parents' union. Macron is facing dissent form all sides, there are lots of impracticalities and it is all discontent. there is an argument that the schools were not pre informed of decisions (that sounds familiar!). Stuck at the end was a couple of paragraphs about dissent in areas of Germany as well who have refused to return and concern amongst teachers that hygiene processes are not possible/ not being put in place.

It sounds chaotic. I really hope our government watches and learns and cherry picks the good advice.

Thanks piggy. Interesting

There does seem research coming through that under 10s are not super spreaders.

On saying this we do need to be mindful to the amount of adults it takes to run a school.

Go back with no social distancing measures in place, accepting the risks that brings, if any

It's teachers who will decide whether or not to accept the risks. Interesting that so many here are trying to make that decision for them. If teachers don't feel protected schools will not open

Interesting that so many here are trying to make that decision for them

Teachers need to be micromanaged by EVERYONE, didnt you know?

Otherwise we sit around doing fuck all

@BuddleiaTime you can't honestly believe that teachers will have any say in this?! Those of us still working have certainly not been consulted to see if its feels safe, why do teachers believe they will be any different?!

If this research about children not spreading it is proven it will be very good news. As much as I think teachers should be protected the true danger of reopening schools is that the children will catch it at school and spread it back to their families. With a school of 500 children that is a lot of people potentially at risk.

Those of us still working have certainly not been consulted to see if its feels safe, why do teachers believe they will be any different?!

Unions. And strong head teachers saying no.

SpudsAreLife84

I think they need to listen to what teachers are saying about the practicalities of SD in schools and use that to inform their decision making.

If they decide SD isnt important then fair enough just as long as they don't preten we'll be doing it.

When can hairdressers re-open?

Interesting juxtaposition between the comments on both threads... 🙄

I'm sorry but this is ridiculous. If the research shows that children in schools makes little difference to infection rates then schools will re-open so that children can continue their education and social development, and parents can get back to work and kick-start the economy.

I'm sorry but this is ridiculous. If the research shows that children in schools makes little difference to infection rates then schools will re-open so that children can continue their education and social development, and parents can get back to work and kick-start the economy.

I am not sure anyone wants to be the first country to ram hundreds of people in a building in close proximity to see what happens. The data is very limited. Promising yes but limited.

@RigaBalsam again, this is already happening! Millions of us go to work every day and work in very close proximity to hundreds of other people! This is not a new concept!!

When can hairdressers re-open?

Interesting juxtaposition between the comments on both threads... 🙄

Very much so!

@RigaBalsam again, this is already happening! Millions of us go to work every day and work in very close proximity to hundreds of other people! This is not a new concept!!

And again in life or death situations.

Yes you could argue it does long term on the disaffected long term but its only been 15 days.

I meant disadvantaged! My phone