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I'm worried about kids going to school and bringing it home

85 replies

Molly333 · 04/02/2021 23:32

As said in the title I'm worried about my children going to school then bringing it home as I'm a single parent and without me my children have no one . Sorry im panicking

OP posts:
wasntsuchasweetsixteen · 07/02/2021 09:53

@NotWithMyShoes

Where I live, homeschooling is illegal and they haven’t closed the primary schools since end of lockdown May. It’s also illegal to not send your child because you’re afraid they might catch it. All you can do is do all you can to minimise the risk of you catching it. Eat healthily, regular exercise, constant good hygiene reminders, vitamin supplants if you feel it necessary. Limit out of school contacts (although we are allowing contact with best friend and the kids who we share a garden with).

At least we know, if the DC do bring it home, that we have done as much as we reasonably can to protect ourselves from it.

Goodness where is this ??
chaosrabbitland · 07/02/2021 09:58

@NotWithMyShoes

I can't parent ill. No one around to help. If I get long covid I might struggle to work. I'm horribly healthy but post menopause and a minor heart condition that might flare up.

I get really pissed off with two parent families being blase about it. They have back up and possibly local family.

Don’t flame me for this but.... in that case what would you do if you were in a car accident/needed an urgent op/hospital stay? Did you not have a plan for that pre-COVID?

exactly , anything can happen to any of us at any time , and that includes all parents , 2 parent families are not immune to car accidents and other tragedies , i must admit im struggling to understand why its only catching covid that is so terrifying
Mumblechum0 · 07/02/2021 09:59

I was just trying to reassure someone who seemed to have an exaggerated anxiety about the risks.

I don’t have any issues either way about schools reopening personally.

Sherberr · 07/02/2021 10:25

@IloveJKRowling you can’t continue thinking along those lines, you wouldn’t cross a road, drive a car the list of risks is endless. We must not get caught up in the cycle of : new virus risk assessment, politically motivated lockdowns and the subsequent media frenzy. I for one cannot wait to resume life as it was before (albeit I hope for a more ecologically friendly life). Bring on the risks - in fact I intend to take some further risks to feel the joy of life - mountain biking, kids skate boarding, swimming in the sea - what is life without risks?

IloveJKRowling · 07/02/2021 10:48

anything can happen to any of us at any time , and that includes all parents , 2 parent families are not immune to car accidents and other tragedies , i must admit im struggling to understand why its only catching covid that is so terrifying

Because there are measures in place (speed limits, seat belts, traffic lights, ban on drink driving, ban on using mobile phones) to minimise the risks of road traffic accidents and we have some choice there - we can drive more carefully, we can wear our seatbelts.

There are measures across the rest of society to minimise the risks of covid but not in schools - we're expected to send our kids into crowded, indoor environments for hours a day which is the exact type of environment warned against by Dr Fauci. If they had social distancing, rotas, masks I'd be fine with sending my kids to school - but they don't. They're not taking basic measures that could and do (in other countries) save lives.

I want to minimise the risk of covid not eliminate it. I don't think that is unreasonable. We do have the highest death rate among comparable countries. How many tens of thousands of deaths would have been avoided had reasonable precautions been taken? Masks not only protect others but they reduce the viral dose so reduce the risk of severe covid. So they would protect teachers from more severe outcomes.

I could be hit by lightening tomorrow, but there's nothing I can do about that.

The thing I'm angry about is that I'm expected to send my kids into an unsafe environment that could be made safer very easily - SAGE and Indie SAGE, WHO, Unicef all have plans for how to open schools as safely as possible during the pandemic and the government has ignored it all.

Fortherosesjoni70 · 07/02/2021 11:07

@IloveJKRowling

anything can happen to any of us at any time , and that includes all parents , 2 parent families are not immune to car accidents and other tragedies , i must admit im struggling to understand why its only catching covid that is so terrifying

Because there are measures in place (speed limits, seat belts, traffic lights, ban on drink driving, ban on using mobile phones) to minimise the risks of road traffic accidents and we have some choice there - we can drive more carefully, we can wear our seatbelts.

There are measures across the rest of society to minimise the risks of covid but not in schools - we're expected to send our kids into crowded, indoor environments for hours a day which is the exact type of environment warned against by Dr Fauci. If they had social distancing, rotas, masks I'd be fine with sending my kids to school - but they don't. They're not taking basic measures that could and do (in other countries) save lives.

I want to minimise the risk of covid not eliminate it. I don't think that is unreasonable. We do have the highest death rate among comparable countries. How many tens of thousands of deaths would have been avoided had reasonable precautions been taken? Masks not only protect others but they reduce the viral dose so reduce the risk of severe covid. So they would protect teachers from more severe outcomes.

I could be hit by lightening tomorrow, but there's nothing I can do about that.

The thing I'm angry about is that I'm expected to send my kids into an unsafe environment that could be made safer very easily - SAGE and Indie SAGE, WHO, Unicef all have plans for how to open schools as safely as possible during the pandemic and the government has ignored it all.

Totally agree. I read about the children going back in USA. Think it was San Francisco. They have all resumed online learning now as it spread in one day! Appreciate that many were most likely + before coming to school but it would be no different here.
chaosrabbitland · 07/02/2021 11:10

@IloveJKRowling

anything can happen to any of us at any time , and that includes all parents , 2 parent families are not immune to car accidents and other tragedies , i must admit im struggling to understand why its only catching covid that is so terrifying

Because there are measures in place (speed limits, seat belts, traffic lights, ban on drink driving, ban on using mobile phones) to minimise the risks of road traffic accidents and we have some choice there - we can drive more carefully, we can wear our seatbelts.

There are measures across the rest of society to minimise the risks of covid but not in schools - we're expected to send our kids into crowded, indoor environments for hours a day which is the exact type of environment warned against by Dr Fauci. If they had social distancing, rotas, masks I'd be fine with sending my kids to school - but they don't. They're not taking basic measures that could and do (in other countries) save lives.

I want to minimise the risk of covid not eliminate it. I don't think that is unreasonable. We do have the highest death rate among comparable countries. How many tens of thousands of deaths would have been avoided had reasonable precautions been taken? Masks not only protect others but they reduce the viral dose so reduce the risk of severe covid. So they would protect teachers from more severe outcomes.

I could be hit by lightening tomorrow, but there's nothing I can do about that.

The thing I'm angry about is that I'm expected to send my kids into an unsafe environment that could be made safer very easily - SAGE and Indie SAGE, WHO, Unicef all have plans for how to open schools as safely as possible during the pandemic and the government has ignored it all.

as a keyworker my 12 yr old dd had been going in throughout the whole thing , all schools have impletmented measures to make it safer , im really not sure where your getting it from that schools are just ramming the kids in the classrooms exactly the same as pre covid , they have staggered start and finish times , ,masks worn in toilets and corridors . forms split into small bubbles , hands must be sanitised on entering the school , before each break and after each break , all classrooms are ventilated , its pretty much a given that all schools have adopted these measures , so when you are saying you stii think its not safe for schools to open its unclear what you want , hazmat suits provided for the children perhaps ?
Fortherosesjoni70 · 07/02/2021 11:14

To the poster above. Rotas to start with. Our bubbles are classes of 25+

Fortherosesjoni70 · 07/02/2021 11:15

Norwegian traffic lights system. Look at indie sage. You tube. Talks about schools going back safely.

Fortherosesjoni70 · 07/02/2021 11:16

It was the one on Friday

SquitMcJit · 07/02/2021 11:19

@chaosrabbitland

Yes, but that isn’t what schools are doing when all students are back in (not just key worker provision)?

When fully open to all students, our secondary school did nothing (except masks in corridors and staggered start times). Still had hundreds of students mixing and usual class sizes, no extra hand washing times or facilities. Totally illogical when older kids (and their teachers) not required to have the social distancing measures required in the rest of society.

IloveJKRowling · 07/02/2021 11:47

To those posters who have schools going against DfE guidance (not to wear masks in the highest exposure setting - classrooms) that's great for you.

But most schools aren't going against the Dfe and simply don't have the space to have small bubbles - there are reports of 'bubbles' with several hundred kids in them. It's ridiculous. Everywhere else we're meant to only meet up with one other? And keep socially distant?

If they removed all road markings, allowed people to drive whatever speed they wanted, allowed drink driving, or mobile phone use and said no seatbelts needed outside schools uniquely among all areas of the country, I wouldn't be keen on driving there either. That's what they've done in most schools.

Most schools simply don't have the cash to implement safety to stop airborne spread. Staggered start and end times does nothing when kids are in with 30 others for 6 hours in a crowded classrooms. It's window dressing and almost completely pointless. The only thing it does is prevent the parents mixing. For children who have to get a crowded bus - the staggered start and end times mean there is more likelihood the kids who have to wait to go in will be hanging about near the entrance in crowds.

chaosrabbitland · 07/02/2021 11:50

[quote SquitMcJit]@chaosrabbitland

Yes, but that isn’t what schools are doing when all students are back in (not just key worker provision)?

When fully open to all students, our secondary school did nothing (except masks in corridors and staggered start times). Still had hundreds of students mixing and usual class sizes, no extra hand washing times or facilities. Totally illogical when older kids (and their teachers) not required to have the social distancing measures required in the rest of society.[/quote]
my dd schools measures have been the same throughout , even when the school was fully open , nothing changed

IloveJKRowling · 07/02/2021 11:54

You only have to look at what happened to infection rates in children of school age from Sept- Dec (particularly December) to see the wider problem.

What is up with people who can't see beyond their own experience? My kids school didn't close down because of covid outbreaks, but two schools in our locality did.

Even if one particular school is fine, the hospitals were still pretty much overwhelmed in early Jan if your kid broke their arm.

IloveJKRowling · 07/02/2021 11:55

And the wider question is - why are we unique in the world in not adopting clear and easy safety measures?

Kids wear masks in classrooms from age 6 in Spain, France and Italy for example.

We're the only ones saying 'we don't give a tiny fuck about state school kids or their families'. Absolutely no extra money for schools.

SquitMcJit · 07/02/2021 12:14

@chaosrabbitland

That’s really good that your school has had constant extra measures. I’m glad you’ve had that, it sounds like you’ve got a Head that has somehow gone above and beyond the gov advice.

It isn’t the same across all schools and as previous posters have said, the DFE guidelines don’t say that smaller class sizes are needed (or provide schools with any funding or help to make this happen).

Everyone should be concerned by this, as it’s not just the experience of our own schools that our own children attend. Children and teachers working daily in environments that don’t allow them to social distance effectively are obviously part of the wider community and so are vectors for transmission to anyone (as well as being put in the position of not having the required safety measures to protect themselves and their families that the rest of society has been told to implement and follow).

I think there would be an outcry if a local large employer, such as a factory or large office-based firm were found to be having all staff in with no/limited measures. Why do some people seem willing to accept schools not having to be as “Covid-secure” as they can be?

It isn’t an easy process, but there have literally been months to explore how to get children back in face-to-face school. I am very worried it will just be open the doors again as before.

However, the previously unspoken info has now been said (eg by Jonathan Van Tam at one of the press conferences). So if people have been listening, they know that schools cannot be called “Safe” as they are currently set up and we really need to be pushing the gov on what funding and help they are planning for the next re-openings.

inquietant · 07/02/2021 12:36

@IloveJKRowling

And the wider question is - why are we unique in the world in not adopting clear and easy safety measures?

Kids wear masks in classrooms from age 6 in Spain, France and Italy for example.

We're the only ones saying 'we don't give a tiny fuck about state school kids or their families'. Absolutely no extra money for schools.

This is what I think too - and why so many parents are not even bothered if they themselves or their children get Covid.

I think the fact the UK is firmly in denial about long Covid is part of the reason - I am well aware that my child is at tiny risk of serious illness from Covid - but they are at pretty high risk of post-viral problems that will be unpleasant and potentially affect their education.

gallbladderpain · 07/02/2021 12:54

@Mumblechum0

Unless you’re over 50, obese or CEV there’s nothing to worry about imo. Worst case scenario is you’ll feel rough for a few days.
Not true at all ! My 39 year old friend who was a single mother contracted covid as a result of it being in their child's class. That's 4 young children growing up without their mother now and no she wasn't vulnerable she was perfectly healthy with no underlying medical conditions. Do you really think those children care about their education now. The older child is aware they were sent home to self isolate as a positive contact do you really think they won't suffer from that feeling like it was their fault...whenever the reality is it wasn't their fault it was the fault of the government for having schools open with covid spreading rife throughout them !
IloveJKRowling · 07/02/2021 13:03

Rotas to allow half class sizes would be WAY better than full-time at home. It would avoid a lot of the mental health issues people are so worried about in children and be heaps safer.

Other countries who've done this from the start don't have a load of children suffering at home. And if people think that there aren't children stuck at home who are vulnerable they're very sadly mistaken. The ones who haven't yet been picked up by social services, the quiet ones.

I'd much rather my kids had been in on rotas since Sept and not had to be home now. The chopping and changing, the uncertainty and fear when they see hospitals overwhelmed. The new variants.

The places i know with rotas, small class sizes and social distancing (and masks) have avoided all of that and had consistent education.

gallbladderpain · 07/02/2021 13:08

@IloveJKRowling

Rotas to allow half class sizes would be WAY better than full-time at home. It would avoid a lot of the mental health issues people are so worried about in children and be heaps safer.

Other countries who've done this from the start don't have a load of children suffering at home. And if people think that there aren't children stuck at home who are vulnerable they're very sadly mistaken. The ones who haven't yet been picked up by social services, the quiet ones.

I'd much rather my kids had been in on rotas since Sept and not had to be home now. The chopping and changing, the uncertainty and fear when they see hospitals overwhelmed. The new variants.

The places i know with rotas, small class sizes and social distancing (and masks) have avoided all of that and had consistent education.

I feel Rotas are the way forward. If we had went to 2/3 day a week rotas in November and avoided school closures from January then overall children would have ended up with more time in school overall than what they will have had by the time they get back now but people only seem to want full time back to normal even though it seems like cutting off your nose to spite your face
IloveJKRowling · 07/02/2021 13:23

@gallbladderpain I am so sorry to hear about your friend. This site might be useful to pass on to whoever is primary carer for her children now - there is info if you scroll down on a charity - Winston's wish - which provides support for bereaved children including covid-19 specific help

www.covidfamiliesforjustice.org/information-for-families/

Yes I do think rotas would enable more time in school overall, be safer, address most of the mental health risks of lockdown and actually improve mental health in general (most kids are well aware it's a joke saying schools are safe when everywhere else needs masks and sociald distancing - why if they're safe do they have to isolate so much?)

Rotas would cut down transmission and so would save some parents from dying and some children from being bereaved.

WhichStep · 07/02/2021 15:46

I feel vaccines are the way forward for parents. The elderly are being prioritised because they are at increased risk, but that doesn't mean people in their 40s and below are at no or even low risk. It is fact that there are plenty of people in their 40s in critical care units, that is not scaremongering. There are other threads saying that the mass hubs are very empty right now because most in groups 1-4 have been vaccinated but no-one below those groups is eligible for hub booking yet (some GPs are inviting individually, but that is different).
There is also thread about how many volunteers are not being used who are desperate to help. Both medically qualified to vaccinate and non-medical for stewarding etc.
I do think a lot more vaccines could be given than are being given at the moment.
This would make schools feel safer for parents and teachers.

WouldRatherBeOnaBeach · 23/02/2021 22:16

@Oblomov21this is the most stupid comment. It shows little regard for OP’s emotions or the reality of the situation we are in. It isn’t ok to speak to people like this. To treat someone else’s emotions with such disregard is entirely inappropriate. Very unkind. And to make a diagnosis as you have done with clearly so little medical knowledge is also inappropriate and was certainly not asked for.
To so ‘factually’ state that people under a certain age don’t get it badly, you are not taking in the reality of the numbers of deaths or the ages of those people- plenty of people under 50 and without previous conditions have died of this virus, and loads of children have serious health issues now thanks to long Covid. There’s support groups popping up all over the place for them. Perhaps you should research them to improve your knowledge and understanding of the subject, instead of making such stupid comments on the internet to strangers. I recommend long Covid kids, now worldwide, some very graphic pictures demonstrating how incorrect your comment is.

@Molly333 I’m so sorry people are leaving such ill thought out and heartless comments. I shudder. I understand why you are feeling stressed, these are stressful times. Your fears are totally valid. We had removed our children from the education system before all this, but would have done so once this all started had we not already. I know of GP’s off on long term sick with long Covid, and many other doctors I know have said that they too are very concerned at the way the schools are going back- and are dreading their children returning, so please know you aren’t the only one- and these are people with plenty of medical knowledge.

Know that you are expert when it comes to your own children. Your worries and fears are totally understandable and justified and are based more in reality than some of these comments you have received. You are trying to protect your children from a very real virus that is still present regardless of how many students go back!

I wonder if it is worth talking to the school? Many many schools know they aren’t able to implement social distancing effectively because they are too small. I’ve heard of parents locally who have agreed to mainly homeschool but allow their child in one day or afternoon per week when the school will be more empty for example. I’ve also heard of one family who explained their fears and have been given permission to continue to homeschool in partnership with the school until there is evidence to show that schools are in fact safe places where transmission rates will be as low as is hoped. Would either of these be an option for you? Would either make you feel a bit better about it all?

There are lots of homeschooling groups if that’s something you might want to continue to do- I mean homeschooling as a choice, where families take on the responsibility, not those who have been sent home work to do at home by schools.

We are part of several groups and there’s always ideas and learning resources being shared around, many of the groups have people in them who have homeschooled their children and they’ve got them into great universities so they will have a lot of knowledge you could tap into if you wanted to ask them for tips or help. That’s how I started out, just getting some advice from people in the know who had walked the same path before me.

Remember to be gentle on yourself. This has been a really difficult time for all of us- and kindness towards ourselves is really important! Smile

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 23/02/2021 23:07

im really not sure where your getting it from that schools are just ramming the kids in the classrooms exactly the same as pre covid , they have staggered start and finish times , ,masks worn in toilets and corridors . forms split into small bubbles , hands must be sanitised on entering the school , before each break and after each break , all classrooms are ventilated , its pretty much a given that all schools have adopted these measures

This is not happening in many schools. You're being gaslighted by the media and politicians to believe this.

recluse · 23/02/2021 23:11

Forms are definitely not split into smaller groups, nor are schools ventilated as a given. “Bubbles” are huge, and within them there is no social distancing at all.

No idea why the government can’t put in place rotas - at least for secondary. Why is it all or nothing?

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