I definitely saw Matt Hancock being interviewed yesterday, claiming that schools are 'covid secure' (they most definitely are not). So whilst, yes, there is a different tone, I don't think it's being addressed properly.
I agree with those who said that parents who would like to temporarily take their children out of school (or only send them part-time) should be allowed to do so, with welfare checks being carried out on those not attending school at all. It's madness that government are threatening fines to all families regardless of their circumstances in the middle of a pandemic. Some parents will end up deregistering when they don't want to permanently withdraw their child from school, because of the threat of fines, and that doesn't do anyone any favours.
I also think primary schools and secondary schools should be treated differently. As secondary age pupils are shown to spread the virus in the same way as adults, the settings are massive so higher risk, and also parents of secondary age children often don't have the same need for 'childcare' that primary parents do. So blended learning could work a lot better for secondary age children than it would for primary, and be a lot safer (more than twice as safe if they are mixing with only half the amount of kids and also able to social distance from them). Of course vulnerable children/keyworker children may still need full time.
Blended learning might actually give schools and kids more consistency too. Because we all know that they're going to be in and out like yo-yos with cases being confirmed, contacts having to isolate, having to get tests for every cough or temperature. My son's school has had its first case already and there's 56 kids isolating now. They managed 3 days in before the first case.
I think schools could be made safer too. Temperature checks daily, and masks being encouraged for secondary kids. I would really love it if they managed to bring in the weekly saliva tests in schools that's been suggested.
@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken what about the vulnerable parents and vulnerable children? It's all very well saying I am to be vigilant as a vulnerable person, but when my child is mixing with 180 others 5 days a week with no social distancing, I'm pretty limited as to what I can do to stop myself getting it if he picks it up at school (he's having a shower when he gets in, clean uniform daily, got sanitizer to take into school, but ultimately I don't think that will prevent him catching it). We have been so careful, and now it all feels like it was pretty pointless really.
I am worried about the economy too, but if we can get levels lower, that will bring confidence back so that people want to go out and spend.