More evidence that schools don’t drive a rise in infections?

[notevenat20]

www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/health/coronavirus-schools-children.html

Good luck OP

I can’t get it to the article but it’s good to share these reports and research for a balanced view.

What’s the general gist?

The mumsnet 'experts' and advocates of 'schools shouid be closed' gang will not like this 😂

Agree that a balanced view is needed.

Interesting article.

It makes the point well that there is a difference between young children and children 10+.

It makes the point that in the 10+ age group the key is robust distancing and other safety measures.

It also makes the point that the data is flawed and unreliable and that in schools that have returned with no safety measures in place there have been outbreaks.

It makes the point that data so far is incomplete and we cannot come to firm conclusions. I also note that the data it references from Britain is rather out of date -- since then, the ONS statistics in fact show steep rises in both primary and secondary age children.

Not sure how well you read the article, OP. A key quote:

"The evidence is far from conclusive, and much of the research has been tarnished by flaws in data collection and analysis. School reopenings are very much a work in progress."

The article also makes the point it is based primarily on younger children, and even then, those with robust safety controls.

This doesn't actually reference anything new, by the way. It mostly cherry picks older research and ignores the large Princeton-led India study (which shows children do drive onward transmission within households) and the gist of the recently released research from Israel (where all schools remain closed and they are working towards returning with outdoor learning first).

I think there is increasing research about under 10s versus over 10s. It’s good to share and discuss this. We’re learning all the time

Your thread title and the article you posted do not correlate.

😂😂😂 Have you even read this? And their actual recommendations for opening schools based on this.

It practically fully supports what teachers have been saying since the start. In summary - masks should be worn, children should only attend school from zip/post codes with low or declining rates, large scale testing should be in place, contact tracing should be robust, social distancing measures should be in place and enhanced cleaning. They say families with vulnerable members should continue to have access to remote learning. And that if transmission continues to rise, especially linked to schools, they should revert to remote provision until under control again.

Thanks for sharing - glad to see you finally agree with what we’ve been saying for a few months!

@Remmy123

The mumsnet 'experts' and advocates of 'schools shouid be closed' gang will not like this 😂

Agree that a balanced view is needed.

No one is asking for schools to be closed. Seriously tired of reading it

Why not take a look at this article, which references new research from the University of Edinburgh which analysed data from 131 countries and concluded that "Transmissions rise by 24 per cent within a month of children returning to classrooms, models using data from 131 countries show... reopening schools following coronavirus lockdowns is linked to a surge in transmissions within a month."

www.independent.co.uk/news/science/coronavirus-r-rate-school-closures-lockdown-lancet-study-b1251617.html

I think you'll also find that most Mumsnet posters are pretty desperate for schools to stay open -- but with risk mitigation so it's safer than the current shambles.

@Remmy123

The mumsnet 'experts' and advocates of 'schools shouid be closed' gang will not like this 😂

Agree that a balanced view is needed.

Could you show me a post from any teachers on here who has said schools should be closed? I’ve not seen one. I’ve seen many asking for mitigation’s measures - as outlined in their recommendations...

Two positive cases in a Bronx school prompted an immediate shift to blended learning.

newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/10/23/coronavirus-cases-close-more-schools/

"About half of the city’s public schools students opted for remote-only learning, but Mayor Bill de Blasio says schools are safe with mandatory masks, smaller class sizes and proper ventilation."

Fake news. The article does not demonstrate that schools don't drive a rise in infections which your thread title suggests.
You only have to look at the UK weekly data reports on the govs website to see that schools DO play a part in the rise of infections.

Sorry, my posts were supposed to indicate that when that article speaks about schools reopening in New York not driving a rise in cases, and random testing of teachers producing such a low amount of positive cases, its very important to view the background that is set against - half the schools in New York are remote only, the other half have masks at all times and reduced class sizes and it takes a grand total of 2 cases to switch a school to blended learning.

The fact New York is doing so well doesn't negate what teachers are saying in this country - it reinforces it.

How can anyone think that since schools returned in September and the r rate has risen so much that the two are not at all connected ?

Another person who wants schools to remain open but agree with the article stating the robust measures that need to be taken to keep them open.

And also thanks for that article Motherofdragonite showing the 24% increase in the first month since schools reopened.

@Remmy123

The mumsnet 'experts' and advocates of 'schools shouid be closed' gang will not like this 😂

Agree that a balanced view is needed.

There is no such "gang" - unless you have misinterpreted the motives of the "schools should be made safe for staff AND CHILDREN" group.

A balanced view is certainly needed, and misleading thread titles such as this one is not the way to get it.

It's a shame most of the research references over 10yos being at more risk, yet no notice of this is taken in primary schools where the blanket 'kids are at less risk so distancing etc not required' as well as not needing masks applies despite 2 year groups being over ten years old.

Well that backfired op.

Not sure how well you read the article,

I read it carefully. The truth is that there is no 100% solid proof yet so all decisions have to be made on the basis of the best guess so far.

Well that backfired op

I’m waiting for the OP to come back and trot out her standard “well obvs teachers would read it that way because my school only provided Twinkl worksheets during lockdown”

How can anyone think that since schools returned in September and the r rate has risen so much that the two are not at all connected ?

There is no obviously correct conclusion but I am influenced by the graphs showing the exponential increase starting on August 26.