Yes, schools should close, primary as well as secondary.
Up until now Tiers and other restrictions have only been partially effective, and in some places (try Leicester) not really at all. Why? Because schools are still open.
Don't tell me it's because people "aren't following the rules"....in fact, most people are. The numbers who are partying or drinking with 100 mates are actually few and far between which is why they make the headlines when they do this.
To be honest, I am utterly sick and tired of endless newspaper headlines/BBC news saying we aren't following rules because numbers have gone up again when what they aren't telling us is it's because schools are open.
Schools should stay shut after the holidays. Especially primaries where small children are often asymptomatic, or else look like they have a bit of a cold, yet they are spreading the virus into their, and other, families who then have family members who are more ill.
I guess I am biased but I work in a school (not teaching) - during the last week I have seen staff not distancing, desk-sharing where equipment is not sanitised in-between, lack of masks and a number of end-of-term activities where lots of small children crammed together, singing carols or decorating for Christmas etc. There was even the end-of-term dance, dozens and dozens of 8, 9, 10 year olds crushed in a small airless room, dancing, shouting, no distancing or ventilation for 2 hours while they passed on possible COVID to everyone before breaking up for the holidays. Who the hell thought that was a good idea?
Our pubs and hospitality venues can't even serve a socially distanced pint but kids can be crammed together without a thought? This is all wrong on every level.
But no-one wants to shut schools because everyone is saying the kids' education will suffer, which is really parent-speak for 'we want them to be in school so that we can get on with our lives/work' or whatever.
And then people ask why the rates aren't going down....