Lockdown in England from next week **title edited by MNHQ**

[Velvetpeel]

The Times is reporting that we are headed for a month long lockdown until Dec 1st.
No details yet...
Why do they always announce things on the drip feed - makes it all even more stressful

There has been no social distancing adhered to at pick up and drop off at most of the schools I know

Maybe we need staggered start times for different year groups?

Maybe have police around schools to ensure better social distancing?

@Appuskidu

How do you keep vulnerable family members away? They might live with the child? The child’s parents might be carers for the vulnerable person. The vulnerable person might be a teacher, TA or support staff who is in school full time every day.

It is not about protecting the individual but society as a whole, which is why I said they would have to strangle the virus so NHS can cope rather than attempt the impossible and eradicate it.

The governments around the world are thinking of a society not a person. Look at Brazil their president has let covid burn through like wildfire. USA not much better. Both advised masks, hygiene but otherwise crack on and let the chips fall where they may.

Many people in nhs as well as clinical staff ie cleaners, catering should be given the same consideration. But this won’t happen as hospitals would close, not that anyone would want this, but it’s much harder for some vulnerable people. They won’t be given the same protection, just awful.

The lockdown will seem completely pointless if the schools stay open as they are now

In Ireland, schools have stayed open, under very similar conditions as UK, and the case numbers are dropping significantly.

In Ireland, schools have stayed open, under very similar conditions as UK, and the case numbers are dropping significantly.

That's very encouraging

We also have vulnerable kids too as well as staff and parents - in my school there are kids who have had leukaemia.

We talk about wellbeing but what will their wellbeing like if their teachers get ill or die and their classmates? We need a better plan than just all in regardless. That being said we do need kids in school. There needs to be a fine balance. If we maybe had planned it before for schools to move into a different way of working then we could be good to go already.

We need to remove the fine to allow parents to keep kids at home. I know at least 3 of mine will just not come in on Monday if we lockdown and risk the fine and I don't blame them.

Agree @justasking111

@Appuskidu

That pie chart seems to be doing the rounds. It was put together by the Hospitality Union so might not be impartial. The data from PHE does not show the same:
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/923668/Weekly_COVID19_Surveillance_Report_week_40.pdf

@Awalkintime the mental health effects are far more reaching than if someone dies who they know from school. We will all know someone who dies from this.

It is not about protecting the individual but society as a whole,

Exactly. The Government needs to make decisions that are the best for society overall, and unfortunately that will mean some sacrifices (including deaths sadly).

I do think that vulnerable teachers and health workers should be able to stay at home and be supported financially.

Bbc saying Boris on at 4pm today.

@justasking111

You say “ Exactly. Kids will all catch the virus eventually. We're closing down parts of the economy so that our schools and hospitals can manage.”

But 11 members of staff are off at my school with stress.
5 have had confirmed positive Covid tests over half term and will be off isolating.
3 have decided not to come back.

The pressure on remaining staff will be immense and I have no doubt there will be further sickness, short and long term to contend with.

My well-being at the moment is rock bottom due to the conditions at work (school). Going back to freezing classrooms; cover; merging 2 classes together as there are not enough staff; outdoor break and lunch duties in the cold and rain; longer days and double the planning (for in school and those home learning) will all contribute to the fact that for the first time in my very long teaching career, I am contemplating getting signed off.

I know I’m not the only teacher feeling this way. Then what do we do?

[quote GreyishDays]@Appuskidu

That pie chart seems to be doing the rounds. It was put together by the Hospitality Union so might not be impartial. The data from PHE does not show the same:
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/923668/Weekly_COVID19_Surveillance_Report_week_40.pdf[/quote]
That data is from a different week though.

For those who were asking about Wales, Mark Drakeford tweeted the following

Any announcement by @10DowningStreet will relate to England.

The Welsh firebreak will end on Monday, November 9.

Our cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss any potential border issues for Wales in light of any announcement by No 10.

@DBML that’s how a lot of nhs staff feel too. Apart from none of my team are off with stress because we wouldn’t want to leave our colleagues even more short staffed or have to close beds due to staffing (not that we would anyway but this means even more pressure on staff).

I wonder why primary and secondary figures have been split into two here? Wouldn’t look good at the top of the chart under one large figure of ‘schools‘, I’m guessing.

@Pomegranatespompom

I’m sorry you feel like this too. But I’m past the point of caring. I wouldn’t blame any nhs staff member for going off sick either.

Press conference at Number 10 will now be 5pm not 4

@Parker231

Press conference at Number 10 will now be 5pm not 4

Do you have a link? I’ve just googled and it still says 4pm. I have to go out so want to record it.

Here you go

Many thanks

@TheKeatingFive

The lockdown will seem completely pointless if the schools stay open as they are now

In Ireland, schools have stayed open, under very similar conditions as UK, and the case numbers are dropping significantly.

Er that's because schools have been closed for a week for half term... their lockdown started a day or two before they closed for half term. it will be more informative in the next couple of weeks when schools open again

Er that's because schools have been closed for a week for half term... their lockdown started a day or two before they closed for half term.

No.

Harsher measures have been in place for about 4 weeks now, prior to level 5 lockdown which was implemented a week and a half ago.

We’re seeing the effects of those earlier measures. Schools have been open throughout (except last week).

Numbers are coming down very nicely.

What seems to have made a significant difference in Ireland is a total ban on mixing in homes.

If there is a national lockdown and your employer has to temporarily close you may be eligible for the new job support payment for closed businesses. The furlough scheme ended this week. These were announced to cover businesses having to close under the Tier arrangements so no news yet as to whether they would also apply in a national lockdown.

From Gov.uk - If you are experiencing reduced business activity due to coronavirus (COVID-19) and have closed your business premises as a direct result of Health Protection Regulations put in place by the UK government or a devolved administration, then you may be able to claim the Job Support Scheme grant for closed businesses (JSS Closed). You cannot claim if you have voluntarily closed your business premises without being legally required to do so.

In order to be eligible, your employee must have been placed on a JSS Closed temporary working agreement which instructs the employee to stop work for a minimum period of 7 consecutive days. Your employee must agree with this instruction to stop work.

JSS Closed is a grant payment you’ll use to cover 66.67% of your employee’s wages, up to a total grant cap of £2083.44 per month.

You’ll still need to deduct and pay the taxes and employee National Insurance contributions (NICs), and pay employer NICs to HMRC on the full amount paid to the employee.