Kids more likely to get new strain...

[Ohbabybab]

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUKKBN28V2EV

Do you think this will mean school closures?

@Fortherosesjoni70
Doesn't make any sense to prioritise anyone for the vaccine based on their job. This vaccine is only good for reducing deaths amongst those who get it rather than reducing the number of cases and there are many age and health related risk factors that are much greater than any occupational risk factor (and even then teachers aren't even close to the top of the list of occupational risk factors).

They recently said that it hadnt been tested for safe use in children!

I have considered the 'used to coronaviruses' thing, particularly with primary school and pre-school teachers. But there have still been a lot of ill school staff, closing bubbles and interrupting education. We had all stsff cases, no confirmed child case. No link between staff though - no reason for their paths to cross in the building.

[quote StatisticalSense]@Fortherosesjoni70
Doesn't make any sense to prioritise anyone for the vaccine based on their job. This vaccine is only good for reducing deaths amongst those who get it rather than reducing the number of cases and there are many age and health related risk factors that are much greater than any occupational risk factor (and even then teachers aren't even close to the top of the list of occupational risk factors).[/quote]
Yes, I agree.

@HeyBaby2020
Political pressure, nothing else. The outcry that would happen if NHS workers weren't at the top of the list isn't an option for any political party even if it is a terrible decision scientifically. There simply isn't the same public pressure when it comes to teachers as many think they are workshy and couldn't care less about them if they tried.

School staff need to be moved up the priority list for vaccination. At least give them a fighting chance.

It's not yet known whether it prevents spread.

*The vaccine that is.

@Waxonwaxoff0

Teachers really should be high priority, I don't understand why they aren't.

Because everyone can't be top of the list. It makes sense that those more likely to die or need hospitalisation are prioritised over those who are unlikely (i.e healthier, younger people who are probably 99% unlikely to need hospital treatment or die). There won't be many elderly or CEV teachers in schools!

I read that teachers are singularly less likely than others, including hospital staff, to get this infection, presumably because they work for years in a melting pot of infections. The teachers' immune systems are thought to be extremely well exercised, making them the equivalent of immunity-athletes.

Read where?!

I'm a teacher and bloody love my job. However I get every bug going despite 13 years in the classroom. Colds, bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, labyrinthitis stomach bugs, you name it. I've caught nits from kids loads of times. I became very ill a couple of years ago with M.E. due to contracting chicken pox as an adult and still have residual symptoms which make full time teaching a big challenge, but I persevere because I love my job and lovet class.

I'm not a superhero because I'm in contact with so many bugs. Quite the opposite - my immunity has taken a real battering over the years.

Love the class.

@Kazzyhoward yes but if teachers keep catching Covid and having to isolate it is very disruptive for schools.

@Sertchgi123
In which case you have to assume that it doesn't, as the risks of wrongly assuming that it does are significantly worse than the risk of wrongly assuming it doesn't.

I am not expecting schools to open.

DH and I have sat down this evening and decided which of us is going to take extended leave from our jobs (which might be determined by which job allows us). We have 2 DCs, 1 with SEN and the last lockdown we both worked crazy hours and something had to give.... in the end what gave was schooling and to a large part parenting.

We cannot go through that again in the way we did last time. We would not get through it a second time. The first time you got on with it because you did know how bad it was going to be. This time- can't do it.

"Paediatric population:
The safety and efficacy of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2 in children under 16 years of age have not yet been established."

from here www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19/information-for-healthcare-professionals-on-pfizerbiontech-covid-19-vaccine

@Waxonwaxoff0
But the virus isn't proven to reduce the probability of catching Covid (although the misleading media reports would make you believe it is) so there is no reason to belief the frequency of isolation would change in those vaccinated. Pfizer purposely chose to not test asymptomatic participants so nothing is known about the prevalence of the virus amongst those not actively showing symptoms.

[quote Waxonwaxoff0]@Kazzyhoward yes but if teachers keep catching Covid and having to isolate it is very disruptive for schools.[/quote]
I think lives are more important.

@Imsosorryalan75

18:52Waxonwaxoff0

Hope not. We will not cope if they do.

True, much easier to risk them catching it

Well, yes.

The chances of my DS (and most kids, for that matter) suffering any lasting harm from COVID are as close to zero as it's possible to get. Statistically, there's a higher risk of him getting hit by a car on the way in (God forbid).

For most young people, it will be more harmful for them to miss several more months of schooling and social interaction, and potentially falling into poverty (or further into poverty) because a parent has to stop working to provide childcare.

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

Well you will be alright then

[quote StatisticalSense]@Sertchgi123
In which case you have to assume that it doesn't, as the risks of wrongly assuming that it does are significantly worse than the risk of wrongly assuming it doesn't.[/quote]
The experts aren't assuming anything, unlike Mumsnetters.

Surely if they close schools then they will have to reintroduce the full furlough scheme again, and are they willing to do that?

This is just scaremongering. Shameful.
Many children suffer when they are kept away from school. So where are all these children suffering with Covid?

@Fortherosesjoni70 my point is just that most kids will be OK. That really is all. I was responding to the portmanteau who seemed to be implying that school closures were preferable to kids catching it. I disagree with that (as do most people, I imagine).

[quote Fortherosesjoni70]@JesusInTheCabbageVan

Well you will be alright then [/quote]
We do have to think of children's welfare too you know. Their well-being shouldn't be sacrificed again.