The infection rate for pupils last week was 2,509 out of 100,000!!

[SoscaredforJan]

The Times today had reported that the infection rate for secondary pupils last week was 2,509 out of 100,000!! With the rate for primary school pupils close behind.

That’s absolutely shocking.

Rates of 300+ per 100,000 in the South East led to the emergency Tier 4 announcement at the weekend.

Rates among secondary school children are approx nine times this and primaries not far behind.

There can no longer be any conversation about schools remaining open. They need to close to all but key workers and the vulnerable and not reopen until the government has provided the money and means to make them truly ‘Covid secure’ or until enough people have been vaccinated.

How many deaths will we have in a months time when those infections have transferred to the elderly and vulnerable? How many more mutations will we have if the virus is allowed to carry on running through children? I for one do not want to find out that they vaccine no longer works.

It’s time to do what needs to be done. It’s tough and awful for everyone but it has to be done. The schools need to close.

@Iknewyouwerewaitingforme we all want schools back, but that is not what is going to happen if nothing changes. However much people scream and shout and Stan their angry feet. Because cases will rise, staff will get sick and schools will close. See Hull and parts of Kent. We were tier 2 until Friday and shit fully for 3 days and for various year groups on many others - because we had runout of healthy staff.
Currently 27 of my colleagues are positive an 5 as in hospital. Some are still ill from catching it in November. We potentially will have list 1/4 of our teaching staff on first day of term. Please explain how we can 'open' properly. Because I can't work out how. No money for supply (if we could get them).

@ceeveebee yup. But hey, we want schools open so nah. Just ignore the pandemic. Yes it's shit working from home with kids. Yes this is shit for our kids. But if we can keep well and alive then one day we will be able to get back to normal. Can't do that if we are dead.

I work full time and so does DH, stressful and pressured jobs but not key workers, and so we will be absolutely screwed if schools close. But I still support a short sharp closure.

PS was so angry I couldn't spell.

Noellodee yes- as a proportion of anything, it is a minute figure. Can you really not work this out? I did very well at maths at school thankyou, but again how sad you need to attempt to shame people to make your point.

@ceeveebee 😊 unfortunately think most schools will get a shirt sharp closure v soon one way or the other. Talking to colleagues across local boroughs today and it's not looking good.

mumsneedwine tell that to the single mum I know who killed herself when schools shut last time. Tell that to her 2 young kids. It’s no joking matter.

@DollyParton2 do you think 87,500 secondary aged kids a week is 'tiny' ? Scared the crap out of me.

2.5% a week with an R rate of 1.5
3.75% in week 2
5.625% in week 3
8.5% in week 4
Cumulative by end of January 20% of secondary school pupils. 660k pupils

@Iknewyouwerewaitingforme

Marypoppins19 no I’m happily not on the same page as you. Can you answer my questions? As if you are not a working parent you really can’t speak for those of us who are and want schools to go back for all our families sakes.

I am a working full time parent! I just found a way - long evenings, open and honest with employers etc etc

@DollyParton2 as sad as that is I have a dead colleague from Covid who has 3 young children. I have 3 colleagues in ICU one v close to death. He has 2 children, 9 and 11 who can't see him. I have a 27 year old PE colleague who can't climb stairs. And a 16 year old student who needs a lung transplant.
Let's not play who has it worse. It's horrible for everyone.

Mary j asked you how you managed it as I was so tired. You came back & told me I was less tired than ICU staff.

So it seems I failed during lockdown as I was exhausted.

So please tell me how I do it? My work is even more stressful now that it was in Spring & I am mentally exhausted at the end of each day. So wondering how I can juggle everything and make my kids thrive.

As I have said in my posts, I support a closure, but the lack of empathy for parents who found school closures tough is pretty shit really.

@Wakeupin2022 it's horrible when people just don't get things from your point of view isn't it ?

mums is that a dig?

@Wakeupin2022

Mary j asked you how you managed it as I was so tired. You came back & told me I was less tired than ICU staff.

So it seems I failed during lockdown as I was exhausted.

So please tell me how I do it? My work is even more stressful now that it was in Spring & I am mentally exhausted at the end of each day. So wondering how I can juggle everything and make my kids thrive.

As I have said in my posts, I support a closure, but the lack of empathy for parents who found school closures tough is pretty shit really.

You can’t ask people to risk their life because it was stressful for you. It’s stressful for everyone!!!! It’s about lowering your expectations, realising that some people are having a much harder time than you and yes I do mean those ICU nurses. You love your kids, they are safe etc

Anyone don’t worry - they won’t shut primaries, but kids will end up constantly isolating

I am certain that the whole of society get that it was hard for parents? What more do you want?? A medal? They will keep primary’s open for the economy anyway

@Wakeupin2022 No. Not a dog at all. You said people didn't understand how hard it was wfh with kids. And I was pointing out that it's hard teaching in a crowded school during a pandemic. Both positions are totally valid and allowed. And both true. No one wants any of this. What I hope we do all want is to save lives. And have a plan.
Happy Christmas everyone. I'm just leaving school after yet another meeting to try and figure out how the hell we sort this mess out for Tuesday week.

Dig 😂

Mary i said I support a closure! I disagree with you how long!

You don't like people disagreeing so you try and suggest they don't care about others.

Absolutely not true. Everything I have done since March is about trying to keep people safe.

The only risk we really have is the kids going to school.

But we need to find the right balance. I understand that other people have different thoughts to me on where that sits.

I don't go accusing them of not caring, unless their behaviour is willfully going to spread the virus.

You need to get of your high horse and realise people's opinions are valid even if they are different that your own.

And also recognise that not everyone of us lives in a Tier 4 area.

Will I suck it up if schools close again - of course i will. Will I ensure my children complete all their work - yes I will. Will I find it hard - yes and I don't think its a crime to say so even if others have had it tougher.

mums I really respect all the teachers out there and I am angry with how they have been treated.

I know friends who are teachers / heads are absolutely amazing.

And on a personal level, our school is the dogs bollocks (see what I did there). They have been amazing throughout the whole pandemic.

The quality of the online learning we will receive will be very high, its just their ages that mean they need a lot of parental involvement.

Well now it’s 2.98% of secondary children. 2.02% of primary kids, 2.43% of sixth form-24 year olds.

[quote mumsneedwine]@Wakeupin2022 No. Not a dog at all. You said people didn't understand how hard it was wfh with kids. And I was pointing out that it's hard teaching in a crowded school during a pandemic. Both positions are totally valid and allowed. And both true. No one wants any of this. What I hope we do all want is to save lives. And have a plan.
Happy Christmas everyone. I'm just leaving school after yet another meeting to try and figure out how the hell we sort this mess out for Tuesday week. [/quote]
Merry Christmas
Best of luck
Really feel for secondary teachers :(

@Wakeupin2022 I'm in the car and almost on way home. With a bottle of bubbly from the head. I may open it when I get home and drink with my kids (Uni students - won't go into the disruption they've had).
Happy Xmas. One day at a time is my new motto.

and working parents will then be screwed...let alone the kids.