Do you think there’s any possibly of us following Scotland’s no need to social distance if you are under 11?

[Summerdays2014]

Hi,

As above. This would make life so much easier for our family as we have a 4 year old. Why are they doing it in Scotland but not here? Do you think it will be Introduced here? I really hope so, but have heard nothing about it.

It makes no sense why it isn't happening in England its almost as if Westminster doesn't care about children seriously though I hope you it comes in soon I've seen kids out playing neighbours having grandchildren over and teenagers can walk out together at a distance obvs, hopefully Boris and co will see sense and it will change In England.

I don't know any children who social distance when playing. They aren't made to social distance in school, just to remain within the bubble. Desks are spread out but they are not discouraged from getting close during play.
Do people really need Boris to say its OK for their child to play normally with another child? As parents can we not make that judgement for ourselves based on our own circumstances and risk assessment?

Are parents really preventing their dc having their normal friendships because some stranger in London says not too! Really! No wonder the term "sheeple" gets thrown around so often these days , its like people need permission to shit lately

Supposedly all 4 nations see the same scientific evidence. Scotland no social distancing 11 and under but masks in shops for over 5s. England social distancing but no masks in shops for 11 and under. Senseless.

Do people really need Boris to say its OK for their child to play normally with another child?

We do if it adversely affects early years and primary school provision. If the government are still insisting on social distancing in schools and childcare settings, small class "bubbles" so not all children can attend school full time, or part-time home schooling which will have a huge impact on their parents ability to work and earn money for their families (which has been shown to impact mothers far more than fathers) then yes, Boris does need to make a decision.

@MoonBabysMagicalKalimba

Do people really need Boris to say its OK for their child to play normally with another child?

We do if it adversely affects early years and primary school provision. If the government are still insisting on social distancing in schools and childcare settings, small class "bubbles" so not all children can attend school full time, or part-time home schooling which will have a huge impact on their parents ability to work and earn money for their families (which has been shown to impact mothers far more than fathers) then yes, Boris does need to make a decision.

He already has made a decision school's are back full time when the term starts! Not sure why anyone needs to literally be told your child can play as normal with another child, can you not make that assessment yourself ?

Scotland are going to be able to do lots of things England can’t because it has very sensibly driven daily cases down to single figures. They can open schools without any SD or masks because community transmission is so lo, making it v easy to quash any outbreaks through TTI.
I frankly applaud them & think it shows what an be achieved with clear vision & strong science-led policymaking.

It is a balance of priorities. Our children don't need to socially distance, but our gyms are still shut, and we are still asked to WFH. I don't think it would be sensible to do everything at once.

@Uhoh2020

If you’re running a volunteer-led playgroup, or sports class for young children, then yes, you need that explicitly spelt out for you. It’ll give you the confidence to present that offering to parents knowing that you’re in line with government guidance.

[quote Redolent]@Uhoh2020

If you’re running a volunteer-led playgroup, or sports class for young children, then yes, you need that explicitly spelt out for you. It’ll give you the confidence to present that offering to parents knowing that you’re in line with government guidance.[/quote]
This, too. Toddler and baby groups, and soft play centres, are still unable to open and have been given no potential date as to when they can do so. Several soft play centres across the country have had to close permanently. A government led formal scrapping social distancing for children would mean these businesses could reopen.

I think @mac12 is right, Scotland has much lower rates than us so can make different decisions. It's also only outdoors kids under 11 don't have to distance, they still do indoors.

I'm worried about what will happen in England to transmission rates when schools reopen with huge 'bubbles' - kids are less likely to transmit but that's definitely not the same thing as not transmitting at all. I'm hoping the rules won't be relaxed any further in England until we know what impact schools have had.

My child has been going to nursery since they reopened at the beginning of June. I would more than happily take my child to a soft play centre or toddler group tomorrow if I could. But I can't, because they are unable to open due to (a complete lack of) government guidance!

Duckchick
I think @mac12 is right, Scotland has much lower rates than us so can make different decisions. It's also only outdoors kids under 11 don't have to distance, they still do indoors.
Children 11 and under do not need to physically distance in Scotland indoors or outdoors.

English schools are opening with bubbles but no social distancing within bubbles.

Lots of primary school children in England are playing with others already- especially outdoors.

In the case of volunteer run groups I suspect that the cleaning requirements could put a lot of people off. The ones I've been to tended to have elderly people running them too which might makes things harder to reopen.

[quote Redolent]@Uhoh2020

If you’re running a volunteer-led playgroup, or sports class for young children, then yes, you need that explicitly spelt out for you. It’ll give you the confidence to present that offering to parents knowing that you’re in line with government guidance.[/quote]
But if its a case of just letting your own child play with another child then you really really don't

@Uhoh2020

If you’re in an outdoor playground, with unknown kids running around and getting close to each other, you have no idea what their parents make for the situation. If the commonly agreed / understood consensus is that young children do not need to socially distance, that removes all ambiguity and social tensions between parents with differing views. The DEFAULT will then be that children are ok to play with each other. That makes things so much less stressful.

Daily cases in Scotland are lower by hundreds

Scotland’s low rates are replicated across most of England. It’s only a few areas in the midlands and north that are less good.

It has also followed a pretty similar trajectory to England in terms of opening up. The two countries aren’t very different as much as some Scots seem to love to bash England.

@Redolent honestly if I didn't want my child within 2m of another child then I simply wouldn't take them to a place wheres there's other children. It's not natural to keep children especially young ones apart like that.

@Derbygerbil

Scotland’s low rates are replicated across most of England. It’s only a few areas in the midlands and north that are less good.

It has also followed a pretty similar trajectory to England in terms of opening up. The two countries aren’t very different as much as some Scots seem to love to bash England.

Here’s the divergence between the countries. It began in May with England’s switch to ‘stay alert’ while Scotland retained ‘stay at home’.

Scotland’s low rates are replicated across most of England. It’s only a few areas in the midlands and north that are less good.

You can't really compare a whole country to some areas though.

As far as I can see nobody's taking any notice anyway. Friends of mine who were spouting off all over Facebook about social distancing a few weeks ago are all off on a camping holiday with six different families and the kids are all over each other.

Scotland has the luxury of being bankrolled by another part of the country and therefore doesn't have to worry about the economic consequences of their decisions. This has led to Nicola acting irresponsibly in releasing social restrictions before economic ones in a way that governments that have to sustain a functioning economy cannot do.

It would be good if they could as it’s a bit ambiguous what to do. With some kids, my children have played normally especially those in their bubble. My 4yo has been at camp playing normally but if we go to a playground it’s still a bit ambiguous what the etiquette is around playing with other children. I’ve largely kept to one family per equipment but when it’s busy I’m not going to stop the children exploring or playing naturally.

It's also only outdoors kids under 11 don't have to distance, they still do indoors.

I don’t think that’s right.

@StatisticalSense

Scotland has the luxury of being bankrolled by another part of the country and therefore doesn't have to worry about the economic consequences of their decisions. This has led to Nicola acting irresponsibly in releasing social restrictions before economic ones in a way that governments that have to sustain a functioning economy cannot do.