Why is covid ripping through secondary schools?

[noblegiraffe]

As the press seem unable to find some photos of what schools actually look like at the moment, I thought I'd try to find some myself. They aren't current school photos but pretty much reflect the day-to-day.

1st is a typical classroom in terms of space. Fewer kids than normal though.

2nd is a typical corridor (except much cleaner). Yes they are wearing masks but they are also so close as to be touching. Note the kid with the mask half off, nose out, he has probably just been told to put it on by a teacher. What's unusual is that the kids all have a mask and none are being worn on chins. Also, they're on their phones. Tut.

3rd is what a typical break time looks like. Note the clumps of kids and the boys grappling. No masks, obvs.

Any ideas as to why secondary pupils are the most infected subset of the population?

But but but ..... schools are safe!

I’m really worried about January. Kids transmit Covid, if we get a case in our school only the kids sat within 2 metres get sent home to isolate.
Which is useless because, you know, it’s airborn.

I’ve seen about 7 members of staff catch it. Plenty of pupils too.

You’ve also forgotten:

-the school bus pics
-the ‘in Love’ teens who have to be reminded not to snog each other
-the lads balancing 3 on a bike

I'm concerned that the gov is deliberately misleading parents about this.

It seems to be a deliberate politcal stance to keep schools open at all costs.

I

That's our school except without the phones. And the classroom looks like they've got 26 in compared to my 32. They must have super strong magic hazard tape in all those schools.

"They aren't current school photos "

Indeed.

Presumably they are trying to encourage covid to spread throughout schools, whilst at the same time keeping quiet that there could possibly be anybody vulnerable. I would like to know the actual figures on how many staff & children this government have made catch this awful disease & how many have been hospitalised, or worse, due to it. Thank goodness they have at last admitted covid spreads in schools. Now they just need to ensure they are made more safe. I’m not holding my breath.

Can’t get current school photos, lljkk but they are much, much closer to reality than offerings in the news like this one (from today!)

@lljkk absolutely reflect the truth but (1) not enough kids in that first classroom (2) not enough wandering sixth form through other year groups in the break time photo (3) not enough kids with masks on their chins/without a mask/pulling up jumpers pretended they have a mask in the other photo.

Worth noting that no one in that classroom can spread covid because they are all facing forwards.

That’s exactly what our school looks like, without the phones. And in photo 3 there would be a photo 10 seconds later with the kids slightly further apart after a member of duty staff has barked “social distancing!!” at them. Then back like that 10 seconds later when they think the duty staff have gone away.

My son did his Mocks and few weeks ago. His words "Mum the whole of year 11 was in the sports hall sitting close enough to cheat, if anyone has Corona we have all got it". Surprise, surprise rampaging through his school. Year groups closed, poor teachers stretched to the max. He is being taught by non subject teachers. God knows what January is going to be like 😵

Why is it that kids are said to be super-spreaders of flu, hence the nasal spray being given, yet they don’t spread Covid (apparently) ?

What is the schools situation across mainland Europe? Has anyone else had them fully open for the last 3.5 months?

I had thought the nation’s supply of pre-covid school photos had all been lost! Glad to see you managed to find a few, @noblegiraffe!

Can you forward them onto a few of the mainstream papers-they’ll be so pleased!

You actually try to social distance them sugarplum? ?

I have a lunch duty in a year 10 eating area.

200 students with no masks on (they are eating), two small windows which only open halfway, all over each other: kissing, play fighting, sharing food, sharing chairs. And me.

Noble, the facing forward came from Dr jenny harries, deputy chief medical officer... She's gone very quiet lately?

You've also forgotten sitting cheek by jowl to share music, ear phones, singing, hugging, sharing food and drinks... Closing windows as soon as adult backs are turned, throwing stuff around a classroom, refusing to wear masks and deliberately running out without a mask.

Refusal to wear warmer layers or clothing but constantly arguing for windows closed, backed up by parents who want their dc at school but warm with windows shut?

Rampaging through our school, last week 58% of kids off either ill, or si.
We provided 17% of the entire districts confirmed covid cases last week
The photos in the press are all fantasy, our kids are squished in as usual 30-32 to a tiny room, chaos on the corridors
Only difference is the years are segregated at break and lunch

The media doesn't help it care especially bbc.
I think some general public have no idea that kids secondary age don't wear mask on classes just corridors.
Ir how small classrooms are many schools have taken bigger intakes than they were built for . Net pupil capacity.
I have see some primaries use every space including learning cupboard. Lessons in corridors and even learning sheds

@noblegiraffe that photo is a joke. The classrooms at my school are only ever that empty when half a year group are self-isolating. And even then they're not wearing masks. The corridors are filled with jostling teens shouting and shoving, masks on chins or in hands (I was just putting it on, miss). If only the government would acknowledge that secondary students are spreading it and try to do something about making it safer...

Any if those pictures could have been taken at my school. Interestingly when you catch covid you have to fill in a form and for each location you have been to recently where you tick if it matches the following criteria - closed space (meaning inside), crowded space, close contact - school matched all 3... No prizes for guessing where I probably caught it from

I gave up trying to get kids to socially distance at break duty. They won't even stop sharing lip gloss!

I mean that is a lot of kids in one room. You wouldn't have that in a restaurant outside let alone inside a stuffy school where they're sat for hours. It's not exactly surprising op!

Yes, it’s a mystery. 🤔

Some of the classrooms I currently teach in are so crowded I can reach over from my computer desk and tap the front row shoulders if I wanted.
Although a week or so ago it seems someone went round measuring distance from the board to the front row on some classrooms, and they all got shuffled back. However it meant that the kids couldn't get in and out of their seats properly as the rows were too close, so it was soon abandoned.