What was the science behind schools staying open?

[OneofPansPeople]

Missed the briefing last night so I wondered what the scientific data was that allowed schools to stay open?
It appears to be a very contentious subject but I wanted to try and stay away from the argumentative threads.

So their parents can (go out to) work.

So no science then, just practicality.

There is a lot of research that missing school for long periods of time is detrimental to health, education and future prospects. Is that the sort of science you mean?

I did also see somebody post some graphs in another thread that seemed to show numbers coming down in Wales and Northern Ireland, who also have everything closed except schools. It's on page one of one of the schools threads.

No I meant from the point of view of containing/reducing the virus.

Thanks @Deliaskis I'll go and look, I'm reluctant to trawl through spiky threads.

They just said schools are safe.

They couldn't show any science because the science would show that they aren't.

Ah, I see , presumably most teachers prefer closure?

My Y11 DS would rather the schools close over lockdown and have the remote learning they had in the summer term.

I thought there was less spread in primary schools (and amongst the youngest age group in general)?

@ineedaholidaynow my 5 year old would rather go to school 🤷‍♀️

@OneofPansPeople no teacher I know would prefer them to close, as they know how important it is for children for them to stay open. There is plenty of "science", biological and social, demonstrating why it's important for schools to stay open, our response is not purely about stopping Covid, if that was all we needed to do no one would be allowed to leave the house end of. That would suppress it.

@OneofPansPeople

So no science then, just practicality.

Yes

All the science says to close them.

Being kept open to facilitate parents working & to not lose face saying they won't close them again.

Not a teacher.

Prediction is the measures imposed will reduce infections by anywhere between 20 and 80%. Much more slowly than the spring 2020 measures did.

Why that's thought to be adequate, K don't know. The high infection end of the range is piss poor. Even the low end is taking a month to decrease the growth of two weeks.

I still believe we need a sustainable way to suppress the virus. I feel the basic error of the tier system was ignoring growth from a low base. Growth in case numbers, R > 1, should be considered unacceptable and prompt action while absolute numbers are still low.

Mine, also y11, would rather they shut. It is a miserable experience right now.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4065935-No-point-of-lockdown-if-schools-are-open

This is the thread with the graphs. And apologies, it's Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Ah, I see , presumably most teachers prefer closure

Not sure what you're seeing here as no teacher has expressed preference.

So did no journalists question this or was there no question and answer session following the briefing?

I didn't mean to presume all teachers wanted closure, just thought they might have concerns if they're not safe?

OP what is there to question, are you really so dense you can't understand that there are lots of issues to balance right now and not everyone is willing to throw all children under the bus for this virus? We are trying to find a way of keeping children educated and safe while suppressing the virus, it is not all or nothing one way or the other. It really isn't that difficult to comprehend.

Thanks @Deliaskis

I think it's to do with parents being able to work more effectively. I'm glad of that in all honesty, I don't believe that schools aren't contributing to the spread but as a parent who cannot WFH of a younger child, the childcare aspect would be a dilemma for me and I'm sure many others.

I'm unsure as to why colleges and older secondary students can't do blended or online learning as there are no childcare issues there and from what I gather the spreading of Covid is more rife there than in primaries. But then they have important exams.

And by safe I mean children who rely on the routine and safety school provides, not from the virus, we've established most children don't need protecting from the virus.

Leaving now, no need to insult me @movingagain20
Well aware of practicalities.
But thanks for leading this thread in the direction I wanted to avoid.

@Waxonwaxoff0 because it isn't just about parents going to work, we don't educate our young for kicks, young people NEED education, they have a right to it, and it should be the absolute worse case scenario before we stop it. This virus has really demonstrated to me how little some people value education and the need for it.