School re-opening under threat

[jomartin281271]

Headline in the London Evening Standard today that this new surge could threaten re-opening of schools. I'm not surprised. The government know that it's not safe to open schools under their current guidance. Cramming children, teachers and admin staff into those tiny spaces could cause a catastrophe. I feel sorry for teachers. Most of them are really committed to the job and their lives are being put at risk. Scary times.
www.standard.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-second-wave-schools-september-a4511516.html

so if my child has a persistent cough or fever, do I have to self-isolate for 14 days?

Not if you get them a test and they test negative. If you don’t get them a test or they test positive then yes, 14 days.

their absences are going to be a massive problem.

Exactly. it was teacher absence that caused the pre-lockdown closures of schools back in March, and i can see this being a feature again. Even if children are 'in school full time', the amount of time they will have with their own teacher / a subject specialist is probably going to be lower than if they were online....

Cant I know I was surprised when school admin told me. Perhaps linked to reports of falling cases in London.

@Waxonwaxoff0. Thanks for your post.

I think it’s difficult to emphasise if you’re not in the position of having one child. We are close and rarely argue, there’s no tension. She works hard I her home schooling. But I can see the impact.

The relief I felt when I could bubble with another family as a single parent was immense. I hadn’t even realised I felt so isolated. It must be ten times worse for children.

Blended learning would work well in our situation. I’m not sure how easy that would be for people who have to go out to work though.

So, if they have symptoms, they need to get the test, then if it's negative, I can go back to work if I have no symptoms? That's better.

@cantkeepawayforever

their absences are going to be a massive problem.

Exactly. it was teacher absence that caused the pre-lockdown closures of schools back in March, and i can see this being a feature again. Even if children are 'in school full time', the amount of time they will have with their own teacher / a subject specialist is probably going to be lower than if they were online....

Absolutely and dependent location gaps in achievement will widen further.

This is my neighbouring borough: www.expressandstar.com/news/health/coronavirus-covid19/2020/07/30/sandwell-implements-own-test-and-trace-system-as-covid-cases-continue-to-rise/

My borough is also looking at a local lockdown. These are areas that are deprived anyway and appear low in the educational tables.

If the posters are really concerned about the ‘vulnerable’ or the ‘disadvantaged’ then they should be pressuring their MPs to ensure a safe return to enable schools to STAY open.

It's not that I'm so against the idea of blended learning, it's that I do not know how I'm supposed to manage as a single parent who cannot work from home. I need to work 4 days a week to pay my bills. And this is something that no one seems to have any solutions for.

It's all comments like "that's your problem to figure out" but I don't know HOW I'm supposed to do that when I have no other childcare options.

Wax I get you. The thing is some teachers will find part time provision and ft work very difficult too.

That’s right, nellodee, that’s why if they have symptoms you really need to get them tested as soon as you can and fingers crossed they test negative, because that’s the only way out of the 14 days for you.

It’s bloody confusing and will no doubt change again shortly

@Waxonwaxoff0 I understand. My children’s school will not make a decision about wraparound care until August. I have already contacted childminders in the area but none will accept my child. There are no nannies (despite what MN says!). I’m a teacher so flexible working isn’t open to me, I can’t start late and finish early (I’ve actually now go to be on site for 8 until 4 due to increased duties from Sept). Many teachers are parents too so know the childcare dilemma - more so as we can’t change our hours! That’s why we should be working together to ensure schools can stay open. Pressure your MP for funds to ensure we can be ‘Covid secure’.

I’ll take the Royal Society’s conclusions on reviewing the evidence over that of a Facebook group. The Royal Society recommend face coverings for teachers and older pupils.

@motherrunner I absolutely will. I want school to be as safe as possible.

I am not sure who the FB group quip was aimed at but just in case the campaign to reopen schools without social distancing isn't a FB group and had backing of scientists and research:

"There is a growing body of evidence that children play a limited in role in transmitting Covid-19 and are less likely than adults to bring infections into a household. In particular we refer to the recent statement made by Sage member, Professor Mark Woolhouse:

“One thing we have learnt is that children are certainly, in the 5 to 15 brackets from school to early years, minimally involved in the epidemiology of this virus…There is increasing evidence that they rarely transmit. For example, it is extremely difficult to find any instance anywhere in the world as a single example of a child transmitting to a teacher in school.” (1)

At the same time, recent data released by the ONS demonstrates the significant negative impact that school closures have had on the mental health of children and parents and on the ability of parents to work productively. (2) It is critical for the recovery of this country’s economy that schools are now kept open and fully operational save in the most exceptional of circumstances."

@mrshoho

What harm is it doing? They are suggesting no social distancing and no masks since evidence - some of which quoted but links in article suggest that it isn't required?

@Waxonwaxoff0

It's all comments like "that's your problem to figure out" but I don't know HOW I'm supposed to do that when I have no other childcare options.

Yeah, I have seen comments of "your child, your responsibility". Parents also have the responsibility of feeding, clothing and putting a roof over their head which you cannot do without a job. This would be a massive problem with part time school. I feel the people pushing for it don't work, can work from home or are financially comfortable. I am a teacher due off maternity soon. If school went part time I would have nobody to care for my kids, all their grandparents work full time too. I would be forced out ny job and also running the risk of having to pay my maternity pay back due to not returning to work. It is a huge problem.

Indeed this is interesting:

"n light of the strong evidence that there is only minimal transmission from children to adults, continued strict social distancing for children is disproportionate and damaging. Many experts have written at length about this and we refer you to the open letters of Professor Ellen Townsend, Dr Sunil Bhopal and to the expert briefings available on www.reachwell.org which highlight the damage and help decision making. We also refer you to the following extracts from the letter by Anne Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner for England, to Sir Patrick Vallance:

“I am concerned that some of the scientific advice and public health guidance around COVID-19 is failing to recognise the specific needs and circumstances of children.”

“A range of paediatric evidence indicates that children are less likely than adults to get COVID-19, and that when they do get it their illness is more likely to be milder…An increasing number of studies now suggest that children play a limited in role in transmitting Covid-19 and are less likely than adults to bring infections into a household.”

“Despite this, the same social and physical distancing rules continue to be applied to children as to adults. This has led to deleterious effects on children, particularly the most vulnerable.” (3)"

@DomDoesWotHeWants

Which bit of the research quoted is incorrect?

The date is merely 24th July since an open letter to either sign or not sign.

If research suggests more damaging that good to social distance in schools and the research suggests that children haven't past covid to teachers. The research links attached then surely that bears merit rather than a blanket statement
"it's not safe" etc etc

transmitted not 'past' apologies

@MoreListeningLessChatting

I am not sure who the FB group quip was aimed at but just in case the campaign to reopen schools without social distancing isn't a FB group and had backing of scientists and research:

"There is a growing body of evidence that children play a limited in role in transmitting Covid-19 and are less likely than adults to bring infections into a household. In particular we refer to the recent statement made by Sage member, Professor Mark Woolhouse:

“One thing we have learnt is that children are certainly, in the 5 to 15 brackets from school to early years, minimally involved in the epidemiology of this virus…There is increasing evidence that they rarely transmit. For example, it is extremely difficult to find any instance anywhere in the world as a single example of a child transmitting to a teacher in school.” (1)

At the same time, recent data released by the ONS demonstrates the significant negative impact that school closures have had on the mental health of children and parents and on the ability of parents to work productively. (2) It is critical for the recovery of this country’s economy that schools are now kept open and fully operational save in the most exceptional of circumstances."

Maybe just maybe READ THE WHOLE FUCKING THREAD.

@Jrobhatch29

I agree... the people pushing for part time school may not work, have nannies etc and so not need to worry about staggered school times etc

The working population do need to get back though

I'd be interested to see the strong evidence that show children don't transmit much to adults. I've seen plenty of evidence children tend to get milder symptoms and are much less likely to be severely ill, but have yet to see any reputable studies proving low transmission.

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.