Telegraph reporting primary schools to return 1 June

[MummaGiles]

www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/05/02/primary-schools-reopen-june-part-blueprint-unlock-britain/

Sorry it’s behind a paywall.

Just heard about this on the radio. They are suggesting that Johnson will address the country next Sunday (10/5) with the roadmap, part of which will be primary schools returning on 1 June.

Not saying I believe it, just sharing the link.

I don't believe it. The government won't want to be seen as racist especially so soon after the windrush scandal. Nor will they want to risk potential legal action on the grounds of indirect race discrimination. The BAME community has been disproportionately affected by Covid. They will suffer more than others if we had a second wave. Likewise a sex discrimination case since Covid is affecting men more than women. I'm quite sure the government knows this.

"Based on the current, reduced infection rate, Mr Johnson is hoping to put teachers on three weeks’
There's not a reduced infection rate. They aren't testing enough to know infection rates.
I don't know anyone who will be sending their DCs back in May and most surveys are showing the same.
This seems like yet another of the 'leaks' to determine public opinion and use nudge theory to pretend the public want lockdown lifted. God, they're as tedious as they are incompetent.

Jenny Harries hinted today though didnt she that "but there are some signs... that potentially younger children are less susceptible to disease and potentially transmit it less"

www.vox.com/2020/5/2/21241636/coronavirus-children-kids-spread-transmit-switzerland

but it does say

Remain skeptical of low child transmission claims, at least for now

but it is possible the ECDC (European Who) at www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/covid-19-rapid-risk-assessment-coronavirus-disease-2019-ninth-update-23-april-2020.pdf

says

Child-to-adult transmission appears to be uncommon.

I think it needs parents to be sensible - any sign of a temperature or a cough rather than calpol them up they should stay home

Anyone in the shielding group should also keep them at home

I think as well we are different to Ireland/Spain/Italy/US in when the summer term end those are in May/June so September is an easy call

@ToffeeYoghurt You really think they care about the BME community? I really don't think they give a shit. They just want everyone back at work.

I pulled my kids out of school before lock down. You don't have to send your kids back anyway even if the government says you should. Just ring in and say they have a fever so you have to self isolate. There is nothing anyone can do.

I'm afraid they will lose their school places if I don't send them in. We're looking to live in the summer but if it fell through they'd have no school places for September. Really don't know what to do for the best. I hope parents are given a bit more leeway/choice. At least until September. Over 600 people died today ffs!

@Quartz2208 You are quoting things that back up your point of view and not the studies that say although most children get it very mildly, they are as likely to catch covid 19 as adults.
It is disingenuous to selectively quote.
I see no reason to think children do not transmit covid 19 to adults and I will act on that basis.
The reasonable thing to do is assume that anyone who has not been isolated can pass on covid 19 to you. Especially given the very low testing we are doing.

Why is anyone paying attention to what a newspaper says that sources say that might be announced in nearly a week's time?

That's not news. Or a leak. It is gossip. Which sells newspapers.

It won't be Sunday. He will announce the road map plans between Monday and Thursday so if he does relax lockdown everyone isn't rushing off and assuming life has gone back to normal.

I'm not sure schools could even open if shielding staff need to continue to shield. Half the staff at my school are vulnerable or pregnant. With a skeleton crew of staff you would be foolish to think those children are learning anything at all. But schools just exist for free childcare, so I guess it doesn't matter anyway...

@FlamingoAndJohn pretty much yes.😐 It’s for the ‘greater good’ of the Nation didn’t you know.

Lots of SAHMs fretting because they can’t do their morning Yoga quite the same with the kids running around, although that Joe Wicks does make me warm, home schooling has become a ‘mare and Costa is opening back up so I can nip off with the girls for Skinny flat almond milk caramel venti macchiato matcha lattes to go.

Who cares if the teachers get sick.

It is made up shite.

I'm afraid they will lose their school places if I don't send them in. We're looking to live in the summer but if it fell through they'd have no school places for September.

I do not think they will lose their place.

@wehttam you're blaming SAHM rather than the Tory funders who are pressuring the government? Well, aren't you a gf.

@TheMagiciansMewTwo That is interesting to know that most parents in surveys would not send their kids back to school then. I will not, but I had no idea that was a common viewpoint.

I know when I pulled my kids out on the week before schools closed, that a lot of others parents did too. I had thought the few parents on MN and that I know on face book who had pulled their kids out 2 weeks before schools closed, were over reacting. But by the time I had decided not to send mine in, about 25% of parents in school seemed to have decided to do the same.

It's scary.. I kind of hope on one hand they do.go back as my dd is desperately missing her friends..but it's so scary to think there is still so much out there potentially!!

Well we are in Wales who have made it clear they will do things differently as and when they deem it necessary.

I just want to keep them all safe. The idea of having to come out of the bubble when so many people are still dying is really frightening, though I have high anxiety generally and I know some parents really need/want schools to go back.
I just feel like it's too soon.

If you are concerned about schools going back stupidly early and you live in a constituency that could conceivably be a marginal for the Tories at the next election, I would suggest dropping a line to your MP to let him or her know your views. Your MP may not care about deaths in care homes or lack of PPE, but most MPs will care deeply about retaining their seats at the next election.

They will not lose a school place. But you are supposed to self isolate with mild symptoms. So just ring in and say they have a temperature.

It's made up, but teachers have been expecting it. IT providers have been asked to up skill schools in my area, lots of kids are going to still be at home. No idea how they can make it happen safely. I have an asthmatic partner, if deaths are still high, I'll suddenly have symptoms.

Several senior cabinet ministers are from BAME communities. But no I don't think some of the more shortsighted care about anyone more vulnerable than themselves regardless of race or sex or age. I suspect it's true what I've read that Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock are more cautious. The pressure is coming from others. Care or not, I'd expect all of them to have enough awareness to realise the potential legal cases that could come about.

You'd think they'd learn wouldn't you. January and February they prioritised short-term economy. With the predictable devastating consequences. One of the highest death rates in the world. And worse economic damage. Other countries already talking about restricting entry to people from the UK when they reopen. Rightly so. Short-term disruption would've been far less damaging.

The hope is they've learnt a lesson and this time round will act less recklessly with lives and the economy. We either repeat the mistakes made several months ago and suffer the consequences or we take the necessary measures to avoid a second wave. Short term pain, longer-term gain.

Looks like the UK public is not yet ready for restarting:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/02/fearful-britons-oppose-lifting-lockdown-schools-pubs-restaurants-opinium-poll

The poll by Opinium, taken between Wednesday and Friday last week, found

17% of people think the conditions have been met to consider reopening schools,
against 67% who say they have not been, and that they should stay closed.

The Sun reckons they’re going back on a date that’s DURING half term so the papers are obviously speculating or the government are testing responses.

Our kids won’t be going back at the start of June, I don’t care what they announce.

DD will have a temperature. She's been sick once a month since she started Reception and her immune system is shot .

Well considering my Government letter stated I had to shield well into August, i am unable to see how schools can reopen so soon?