It’s reported that 17-21 are spreading the virus now , should Universities open ??

[Charliescar]

Just that really ??

I don’t see why schools should shut if Universities can stay open .

I think that students are far more Likely to spread the virus that students at school.

[SueEllenMishke]

@yearinyearout

Most unis are doing online for this semester anyway, but PP is right, they are generally only mixing with each other so not likely to pass on to elderly relatives etc. Obviously any students that are vulnerable will have to make their own risk assessments.

Most universities are taking a blended approach..... the vast majority of students will be expected to attend some on campus sessions.

What about commuter students? Not all students move away to university.

[IcedPurple]

Keeping nightclubs/discos closed would be a good start. Of course you can't ban "random snogging" but you can certainly reduce the excessiveness.

I demand an outright ban. Single sex accommodation and classes. Marriage certificates required before entering an establisment together. Excessive random snoggers to be arrested on sight.

[yearinyearout]

• Most universities are taking a blended approach..... the vast majority of students will be expected to attend some on campus sessions.
  
  What about commuter students? Not all students move away to university.*
  
  I still think they should open. In all honesty my DS is still waiting to see if he will have to go on campus at all this semester, they are doing small group sessions but haven't decided if they will be face to face or on zoom.

[TheKeatingFive]

It’s probably also worth pointing out that this generation will be shouldering a lot of the financial fallout from all this as the borrowing will eventually have to be repaid. We are asking an awful lot from them.

[SueEllenMishke]

@yearinyearout

* Most universities are taking a blended approach..... the vast majority of students will be expected to attend some on campus sessions.

What about commuter students? Not all students move away to university.*

I still think they should open. In all honesty my DS is still waiting to see if he will have to go on campus at all this semester, they are doing small group sessions but haven't decided if they will be face to face or on zoom.

I agree. I'm delighted to be doing on campus teaching!

[JamieLeeCurtains]

I snogged others girls at university. And I liked it

[JamieLeeCurtains]

Snogging Will Find A Way, as Professor Jeff Goldblum once never opined.

[IcedPurple]

@JamieLeeCurtains

I snogged others girls at university. And I liked it

Ah, but was it excessive random snogging? That's the question here!

[Keepdistance]

Under 10 should say 660. That chart is quite misleading.

[LadyOfTheImprovisedBath]

Keeping nightclubs/discos closed would be a good start.

It looks like most of the campus pubs, union bar and night club possibly even the shops will be closed on DH campus.

I can see why but I think most will go into nearby city for nights out or mix more informally in rooms where track and trace will be harder. Plus means fewer student jobs on campus - so ones that need to work might well have to go further afield so mixed more with local population.

But education/reminders, easy access to testing and possible more limited access to alcohol might help reduce some promblematic behavior.

[Keepdistance]

I dont know it doesnt necessarily suggest its partying. More yoing people will also work in service industry pubs etc.
Under 60 is going to shoot up with schools and unis and the parents then catching it

[Jrobhatch29]

We can't expect young people to put off their education and training for their careers. Many of these people will be training to be doctors, nurses, teachers, midwives etc. We need them. My cousin is 21 and is moving to Birmingham today to train to be a paramedic. Whilst lots of her learning is online she has had to physically move there as she will be doing practical placements. I am really proud of her as many people would not want to do that atm!

[LadyOfTheImprovisedBath]

Under 10 should say 660. That chart is quite misleading.

I wonder if it's becuase under 5s have immature immune systems so usually infections in under 5 are more serious events - though covid isn't following that pattern.

It's also from August 17- 30 when most schools - execpt Scotland and I think Leicester - weren't back

Still please feel free to take it up with the BBC.

[BigSandyBalls2015]

Uni life with no random snogging sounds sooo sad

[JamieLeeCurtains]

Just wondering if most of the new cohort of students managed to their meningitis vaccines over the summer? Especially the MenACWY.

My GP surgery has been like Fort Knox. Still is.

[MJMG2015]

@Egghead68

It seems quite ironic why are people not suggesting retired people to stay home, with their pensions to fund them

Retired people are not moving round the country en masse taking disease with them.

Nor (on the whole) doing typical young people things like having parties, sharing drinks, kissing lots of people, having lots of sex, singing drunkenly in groups... you know, all the FUN stuff that sadly has a high rate of transmission.

Continually blaming older people for the restrictions is madness.

Death is NOT the only terrible outcome of Covid, the long term effects of it could well cause these youngsters a lifetime full of problems, as well as the people they pass it on to.

It's not like they stay on campus, a lot if them are working in the community & 'going home'

It's very difficult with the accommodation situation as well, I know.

[Ormally]

@Jrobhatch29

We can't expect young people to put off their education and training for their careers. Many of these people will be training to be doctors, nurses, teachers, midwives etc. We need them. My cousin is 21 and is moving to Birmingham today to train to be a paramedic. Whilst lots of her learning is online she has had to physically move there as she will be doing practical placements. I am really proud of her as many people would not want to do that atm!

Yes indeed. Many medical and Science students rolled their sleeves up and joined in the 'real life' fight back in March - for example freeing up trained medical staff in hospitals to work with emergencies, ICU and so on. Some students also resigned from on-campus NUS work to take healthcare admin or analytical work. Some in their last term were 'fast tracked' to (the other side of) their graduation because they were needed in the NHS. I read a few blogs from people where I work and it made me bloody proud to see them.
Hope your cousin, and many like her, are looked after and valued by their universities.

[Pixel77]

The old people I know Have been travelling around, abroad etc

[LadyOfTheImprovisedBath]

It seems quite ironic why are people not suggesting retired people to stay home, with their pensions to fund them

Well it would be easier for them to do so not needing to study or work - though I think not good for long term mental and phycial health so I'm not advocating it.

It's our older family members who are booking holidays and socializing in pubs and going out for meals and who's groups have started meeting again - they're much less constrained by track and trace if it hits them no worries about not getting paid or missing exams and study.

They're not being daft - using masks, hand washing and gel and keeping distances but life is going on for them they've also been keen for the families children to get back to school and routines.

[RoobyMyrtle]

None of my local libraries are open for people to study in. You can go in for 10 minutes to get books out but not sit down or use the computers.

[StatisticalSense]

@JamieLeeCurtains
If significant numbers have been having the Men ACWY that may explain part of the uptick in (perceived) cases in the age group. Almost everyone I know that has received that particular vaccine has developed a fever of some sort (and many had an altered sense of taste) after receiving it which will have led to large numbers of the age group being tested and more asymptomatic covid cases (the symptoms being experienced being a result of the vaccine) being picked up. Obviously the effects of Meningitis means it is still worth people having the vaccine but there is no point in pretending that particular vaccine doesn't usually come with side effects of some kind (and the use of it in double blind trials is main reason I wouldn't consider participating in most Covid related vaccine research).

[cologne4711]

No, I don't think they should be physically opening That age group are the ones getting & spreading it The most at the moment. They'll increase the community transmission & that will increase the death rate

Totally disagree. Students tend to hang out with other students. Bars tend to be student bars. They play sports with other students. Other than supermarkets/shops, where they should be washing their hands and wearing their masks, they won't really be coming into contact with other residents of their university cities. There could be an issue at Christmas when they all go home, but not at the moment.

[cologne4711]

None of my local libraries are open for people to study in. You can go in for 10 minutes to get books out but not sit down or use the computers

It seems to vary by area - some have only just opened at all. They're open in my county and you can use study areas and computers.

[cologne4711]

It seems quite ironic why are people not suggesting retired people to stay home, with their pensions to fund them

Good point - this actually has't affected them very much from that perspective. No loss of work and no loss of educational opportunities. Obviously not being able to see loved ones and friends freely affects all age groups.

[Keepdistance]

We used to pub crawl. 10 in 1 night..
I do think a wise restiction would be 1 pub per day (as a customer)