Government scientists discuss future plans for schools

[DayBath]

schoolsweek.co.uk/covid-19-nine-things-we-learned-from-scientists-at-education-committee/

Government scientists have been answering questions at a parliamentary committee and it looks like they're still sticking to the same ideas they had before this new variant.

• Children spread the virus by socialising outside school... We think...but we STILL haven't collected evidence
• When schools return there probably won't be any new measures in place to make it safer
• We will probably still use lateral flow tests because they are 80% ish accurate according to our sources (which contradict all other sources but we dont want to worry about all those)

I could go on, there's some real head scratching moments in the Q&A so I recommend everyone take a look.

I thought people might want to discuss this here as it shows the likely roadpath for schools after half term.

Very unimpressed myself, I think they are turning into politicians and moving away from the actual science.

They need to get back in Feb - most over 70+ will be vaccinated by then - get the kids back to a normal life!!!

I'm curious that, once the vaccine has been successfully administered to the population, at what point will the bubble system in schools be scrapped and children actually allowed to mingle again with the rest of the school. I mean, children aren't eligible for the vaccine and, as the virus is endemic, even with the vaccine it will never be eradicated so will continue to circulate in schools?

I don’t rate Jenny Harris at all. One of the most out of touch people when it comes to children. I’ll never forget her saying children don’t share lunchboxes!

They didn't have any data to back up what they were saying.
The LFT stuff was paused within hours of the meeting.
Over 70s will not have had their full vaccine by then, or even half the vaccine.
The ECV teachers in my school have not yet been called for first vaccine dose.