The EARLIEST schools will open is 8th March!!!

[dingledongle]

I cannot believe this!

Stunned!

My kids have lost one year of school and are going to be paying for this for decades to come

I am going to end up with a raging drink problem.

Seriously though both of mine were in tears over it and the damage to all our children will take years to mend - if it ever does. Some children will be irreparably damaged.

Good q on press conference, how can school be safe and simultaneously a vector of transmission.

So what do you want then? Schools back and community transmission to rocket again?

Some children will be irreparably damaged

Yep. The ones who've lost parents for sure.

I'm sure they will be more damaged if we don't get this under control and their parents die.

It wasn’t unexpected.

I’m pleased they’ve let us know now and also pleased they aren’t rushing back too soon otherwise we’ll just end up in a situation back up with hideous numbers of deaths again.

I can't understand why you can't believe this. They had already said there would be a review mid February and at least 2 week's notice to schools so it was always going to be there or thereabouts at the very earliest.

All schools?

Yep. The ones who've lost parents for sure.

Yes they will.

So will those whose mental and physical health has been impacted.

And those whose development has been affected.
Those will never catch up on education.
Those who are living with neglectful and.or dangerous parents

The list of those who are affected includes and goes beyond the bereaved.

It can't surely be a surprise? I've got a Y11 DC and I can't see them back before Easter, however much I'd prefer him to be in school.

How are you 'stunned'? The writing has been on the wall for a while.

What is the alternative?

It’s actually better than many have predicted, assuming the date isn’t pushed back and all pupils return then.

I’d rather this be the last lockdown and for schools to be safe when children return.

Absolutely shit

What about team sports , being active ffs

Locked up for another 5 weeks minimum

I really wish they would antibody test children. I reckon a really high percentage of them are already immune. It’s mainly asymptomatic in children/young people.

I am going to end up with a raging drink problem

Which you will get more support and solidarity on here for than you would if you were overweight and using food to self medicate.

@Porcupineintherough

Some children will be irreparably damaged

Yep. The ones who've lost parents for sure.

Exactly,

Most haven’t lost a years education at all as schools have provided for children throughout and parents are also responsible for their own children and outcomes.

I’d rather mine had their health and their family than be in school whilst the situation is so bad.

I wish they would think about letting outdoor sport recommence or something. The winter is pretty bleak when you’re stuck indoors so much. A bit of running around as part of a team would do them the world of good (the ones who like sports anyway! 😁)

He said in his last televised lockdown speech that he had a target of vaccinating the first 4 priority groups by Feb half term and they'd have immunity 2-3 weeks after that which is 8 March.

I thought it was pretty obvious schools were going to be 'shut' for a long while. I wouldn't be surprised if they stay closed to the majority until after Easter tbh.

The daily death rate is horrific and case numbers are still high... if schools open again in the same way, community transmissions rise again.

@bumbleymummy

I really wish they would antibody test children. I reckon a really high percentage of them are already immune. It’s mainly asymptomatic in children/young people.

Even if they do, teachers cannot be teaching online and preparing remote lessons as well as teaching classes in person.

And when March comes, they will tell us they won't open until April.

@Justthebeerlighttoguide

Good q on press conference, how can school be safe and simultaneously a vector of transmission.

I'm somewhat confused by the response.

JVT said there is no evidence that children pass the virus onto teachers but they absolutely bring it back to their homes and spread it that way.

Eh? Did I hear wrong?

Mercy booth. Spot on. Drinking is middle class obesity is for chavs.
Not my opinions..... Seems to be on here though.

March 8th will soon be here - we're almost in February!

It's everyone's kids.

It will be ok, schools will be working wonders as most always to to mitigate the damage as and when all return.

It just might be difficult to believe it will be ok at the moment.