Anti-lockdown campaigners using children to push their agenda

[noblegiraffe]

I can't be the only one disgusted with how certain groups are using faux concern about children to push the earliest dismantling of lockdown restrictions.

They are loudly catastrophising on the front pages of the press about our kids. The lost generation. £40,000 in lost earnings. Articles about schools full of traumatised kids suffering PTSD caused by lockdown.

And the solution they propose is always to re-open schools as early as possible. Even before March 8th. Regardless of covid.

Now, the situation in schools before Christmas was awful. Some areas of the country had less than 50% attendance due to the new variant ripping through secondary schools. Secondary school kids were the most infected subset of the population by far, and are now the second least infected subset of the population behind the 70+ age group after schools were closed, demonstrating that there was a massive problem with transmission in secondary schools. It wasn't good for pupils' mental health or education to be in a situation when they didn't know if they'd be in school or out at the drop of a hat. But before Christmas, there was complete media silence on the impact that this was having on children.

CAMHS has been devastated by cuts. Waiting lists are intolerable and children in dire need of support don't even qualify. Same for social care around vulnerable children.

Yet you won't hear these people clamouring for schools re-opening as soon as possible talking at all about how to improve safety measures in schools to prevent the scenario we had before Christmas happening again. You won't hear them demanding more funding for children's mental health services and for more support for social care services.

And the reason you won't hear that is that THEY DON'T GIVE A SHIT.

The reason that they want schools re-opened as quickly as possible is because the message was that schools had to open first.

They can't get what they really want open (everything else) until schools are open, hence the massive focus on schools and how terrible things are for children.

This catastrophising isn't good for parents or kids. It's scaremongering and unhelpful.

I know that there are kids (and parents) really struggling with their mental health and worried about their education. Blaring out messages about how terrible things are and how they will never recover because you want to hype up the message about schools going back is irresponsible and sickening.

We need sensible and calm conversations about how to support children and parents. We need funding for schools and massive investment in support services. We need a long-term program of recovery, not 9 months of a Catch-Up Tsar and quick fixes. We need a measured and sensible approach to schools re-opening that won't see kids in and out and in and out due to lack of mitigation measures causing rampant covid spread (particularly with the new variant).

We need these anti-lockdown campaigners to shut up and stop dominating the narrative.

Schools are going to be a triage point when they re-open.

And they are not the answer.

For a start, mental health services are so underfunded, there is little that schools can signpost many children towards.

There are two threads on MN at the moment that make explicit how underfunded and under-resources children and adolescent mental health services are. And how awful - abject - it can be for parents and children trying to access desperately needed help - and frustrating it is for professionals working in the system.

And for SENCOs, too, trying to get help for children.

We really, really need a high-pressure campaign to demand better for our children.

@thecatfromjapan totally agree but everyday the schools are shut it gets worse

Great post @IloveJKRowling

I wish, I just wish, the particular 'parent group' I have in mind would use some teeny tiny fraction of the undoubtable access to media and government they have to push for mental health services.

But they don't.

And

@thecatfromjapan

Schools are going to be a triage point when they re-open.

And they are not the answer.

For a start, mental health services are so underfunded, there is little that schools can signpost many children towards.

There are two threads on MN at the moment that make explicit how underfunded and under-resources children and adolescent mental health services are. And how awful - abject - it can be for parents and children trying to access desperately needed help - and frustrating it is for professionals working in the system.

And for SENCOs, too, trying to get help for children.

We really, really need a high-pressure campaign to demand better for our children.

I agree, pre covid there were 2 and 3 year waiting lists, we have a history of underfunding services for children. Irrespective of school closures this needs addressing, the gov think so little of children. Opening up the schools isn't necessarily the answer it's a sticking plaster response to the problem of children's mh. Is there a reason this generation lack resilience?

Also, you don't need a building (school) to gain an education. Yes, lovely if it's offered for free with teachers and support workers, but not a priority in a pandemic.

One that doesn’t want to actually teach and hates kids would rather not.

This is exactly what will happen in an economic downturn. We saw it in 2008/9, approx 50% of trainees in those years left within 5 years.

But lockdown has to end!!
It's a dreadful situation and we need to act. Our children and young people are suffering in so many ways!
If anti lockdown protesters hijack our children for their course, let it be- you don't have to agree.

And there is an increasing number of people calling for an end... we have a vaccine, the most vulnerable are almost vaccinated.
I think NM teachers are delusional and like to create drama. I'm so grateful that non of that is true for the RL teachers I know and the ones teaching my DC.
Fact is, we have had no cold or tummy bugs this winter... hygiene measures are working.

Some MP's do agree:

news.sky.com/story/covid-19-all-restrictions-must-be-lifted-by-end-of-april-lockdown-sceptic-mps-tell-johnson-12217606

@HesterShaw1
faux concern about children

That's a truly disgusting thing to say.

We need these anti-lockdown campaigners to shut up and stop dominating the narrative

oh the fucking irony."

Totally agree

@thecatfromjapan

I wish, I just wish, the particular 'parent group' I have in mind would use some teeny tiny fraction of the undoubtable access to media and government they have to push for mental health services.

But they don't.

And

Agree.

@noblegiraffe

Look from the beginning you have made very clear your concerns on schools reopening and the associated risks to teachers.

It genuinely seems to concern/ stress you a lot so given that schools are extremely likely to reopen in England in the 8th March my advice is to have a long think this evening about whether you wish to continue in the teaching profession.

Is this level of stress /worry really worth it to you?

I qualified in 2009, (Post Compulsory) lasted a couple of years. Won't go into reason for quitting, as very long winded.
Those who qualified with me are teaching in secondary schools though and it's so wrong.

I want my dd to be able to complete school by attending, but if she can't it's the way it is.
Her mh is suffering but that isn't because she isn't attending a building everyday it's because she can't see her friends.

@1dayatatime ODFOD

@picknmix1984

Speaking as a mother whose 15 year old took an overdose Thursday night because she has developed agoraphobic through lockdown I think YABU and you need to think before you post making sweeping statements. If you are unaffected by lockdown lucky old you!

I am genuinely very sorry to hear that, picknmix, and I sincerely hope you and she are getting support.

@bofski14

I for one am sick of the "will someone please think of the children?!" posts and the headlines screaming that the children at home are damaged, mental health destroyed, forgotten etc. Some of us have no choice but to keep our children at home or we will die! How do you think that makes us feel when we see "children NEED to be in school", "they have suffered enough", "we must put them first". I'm just over here trying not to die but people seem hell bent on making me feel like I've damaged and failed my child. FYI, she's having the time of her life.

You haven’t failed one bit! There are plenty of children who are miserable at school for a variety of reasons and I rarely see anyone wringing their hands about them!!

[quote 1dayatatime]@noblegiraffe

Look from the beginning you have made very clear your concerns on schools reopening and the associated risks to teachers.

It genuinely seems to concern/ stress you a lot so given that schools are extremely likely to reopen in England in the 8th March my advice is to have a long think this evening about whether you wish to continue in the teaching profession.

Is this level of stress /worry really worth it to you?[/quote]
Oh dear, you are so far off the mark.

Good to see the 'if you don't like it, quit your job' masquerading as concern lot are back out though. Not seen them in a while.

You haven’t failed one bit! There are plenty of children who are miserable at school for a variety of reasons and I rarely see anyone wringing their hands about them!!

Bit different. There's solutions to that. If schools are closed to non keyworker kids then what's the solution to that?
If they need socialization and that's illegal, what's the solution to that?

To be clear, I read the OP as stating very clearly that what is awful is the falsity of the concern. In that they aren't pushing for more funding for MH services.
I always find this idea really odd. How can anyone know that this is the case. Several posters have already pointed out their connections with child services, their own experiences trying to access child mental health services, their experiences from teaching and trying to improve mental health services..many more of us who think it's time for children to start going back have also had many dealings with pushing for better funding, writing to MPs, advocating for young people. Why is there an assumption that anyone claiming to care about the wellbeing of children is lying??
Also, so what is some people are also concerned about their own mental health as adults as a result of this lockdown. Homeschooling 3 kids stuck in a small flat while trying to do a highly pressured job full time is an experience that several people I know are currently having. Families are at breaking point. It's not a case of "anyone who says kids should go back" is a lazy arse with faux concerns, and I just think that is such a revolting position.
It's going to be Spring. Millions have been vaccinated. Get the kids back in stages, get them back part time, get the teachers vaxxed-but for the love of God, plans need to start being made to resume life for children, and understanding that doesn't make you an U4T dickhead, or a liar, or any of those other things.
At least when you do have to go back to work Noble you will have less time on your hands to write such offensive and divisive posts.

@Teateaandmoretea

The posters agreeing with noble aren't the vitriolic ones.

Well most people are sick of all of them. Most of us don’t bother to read the ridiculous echo chambers anymore because it’s pointless engaging.

Yet some posters engage time after time.

And even more "new" posters seem to want to engage.

As for echo chambers those that spout back to school at any cost are the ones that you should be worried about.

@bofski14

My son is very happy too. He works at his own pace. There are no distractions. He hasn’t got the class clowns or bullies to worry about. His grades are looking amazing! His work...I wish I could show you...his media and graphics are professional standard according to his teachers. I’m so proud of him.

Some children including yours will be thriving at home and that’s in part, thanks to you and your efforts. So don’t ever think you are failing your daughter.

Mine isn’t CEV, but he’ll be staying off until after Easter...because for him as an individual, it’s better this way.

Totally agree with your OP @noblegiraffe
True colours are also on show in all the posts about just who is entitled to KW and vulnerable places in school. The same people who have been hand wringing, dripping with concern for vulnerable children are surprisingly virtiolic about those children getting face to face teaching at the moment.

[quote TooManyPlatesInMotion]@DBML no, you are being deeply unpleasant. I expressed what his personal view is. He is fully aware of what his obligations are in relation to risk assessments and the fact that other members of staff have different concerns. Perhaps you assume that all members of slt are out to trample of teachers' concerns. They are not.

One of the most vitriolic threads o have had the pleasure to be on.[/quote]
She is absoluly correct that he has a personal legal responsibility to comply with health and safety in the workplace legislation . See the following document about covid in childcare settings.

www.gov.uk/guidance/steps-to-take-following-the-death-of-a-colleague-in-childrens-services

Unfortunately the H&S law states that employers must provide suitable protective equipment- see attached, which puts school leaders in an impossible position given that schools are told not to use PPE. If he is minimising any risks and not taking them seriously he could be held liable.

Also @bofski14

Keep telling your child that they are thriving. Don’t let them hear that ‘they are being failed’ or ‘their education is at stake’. They’ll be absolutely fine and will go on to have the same opportunities as everyone else.

@DBML

Also *@bofski14*

Keep telling your child that they are thriving. Don’t let them hear that ‘they are being failed’ or ‘their education is at stake’. They’ll be absolutely fine and will go on to have the same opportunities as everyone else.

And you know that how, exactly?

At least when you do have to go back to work Noble you will have less time on your hands

Tbh when I go 'back to work' (by which I assume you mean in-class teaching and not the remote teaching I've been doing lately) I'll have more time on my hands to write threads that wind you up, because in-class teaching is a piece of piss compared to remote teaching plus homeschooling.

But if you haven't noticed that some groups (see the Covid Recovery Group as a good example) are pushing for schools open with no obvious previous history of concern for children and no accompanying calls for improved access to mental health services or education funding, then you haven't been paying attention.

ifnot it's very simple: the group that noble's OP focussed on isn't pushing for anything other than school re-opening.

They talk about children's mental health ... and then there is no mention of mental health services.

That's amazing, surely?

Astonishing.

Unless ... they actually, really don't give a stuff about children's mental health but are just cynically using a crisis.

To be clear i really, really care about this.

My family have been knocked sideways. I know how strained MH services are right now.

And the 'parent group' that OP is talking about actually drive me to the edge of rage.

How dare they use our crises and actual tragedies? How dare they?

I have nothing but contempt for them.

I despise them.

Because they show a true contempt for what many of us are going through.