One thing to make schools safer

[pinkhappy]

There are a lot of threads about schools and covid. I get lost in the rage and strong opinions even though I am sure that somewhere in there there are constructive suggestions.
Without expressing any views on politics/the govt or any fury, what is the top thing that you think could realistically be done to make schools safer when they reopen? Just one suggestion per answer please.

Vaccinate parents

@amicissimma What do you think those parents have done for the last 6 weeks?

Or vaccinating school staff instead of ignoring the fact that they are in close contact with hundreds of people each week; often in unventilated, cramped rooms.

Reduce class sizes permanently
Rotas until under control

Can't decide between

Rotas
Masks
Making every child and staff member stay at home with any of the wider symptoms on the Who list.

Also, make sure the kids have time and facilities to wash their damn hands. My secondary school child was sanitising at every door but no opportunity to wash their hands with soap and warm water. Not enough time even at lunch to do it. Gross.

No buses. Children reallocated to walkable distance schools.

No buses. Children reallocated to walkable distance schools.

And in rural areas?

This would be a logistical nightmare for v little benefit tbh.

A clear message that children should stay home with any illness. We have had several positive cases in children that started with stomach aches.

@HercwasanEnemyofEducation

At secondary, rotas for f2f teaching.

This would be my wish too.

We will get fuck all investment though and all pupils and their parents can look forward to another bloody dose of covid in the weeks ahead

Masks for staff and pupils in the classrooms.
Vaccinations for teachers.

I would also want to have our list of symptoms updated as they don’t cover a lot of the symptoms that children with covid seem to get.

I think rotas too.
And yes to what a previous poster said, parents are managing now. I think this for the rest of this half term. It will in effect be 3 weeks of difficulty for a 5 week gain.

Masks

Children who's families don't follow the rules shouldn't be allowed into school.

I want secondaries shut til Easter yes, for the three weeks extra time at home we would have so many fewer cases by the time schools reopen.

But I think Johnson wants his big bang the useless, reckless, antiscientific so-and-so

Rotas (and an end to the "Rotas won't because a, b ,c" bollocks when we haven't even given them a try yet!)

@HesterShaw1

Vaccination of the vulnerable. Oh wait...that has happened.

They haven’t, I’m in group four and only had my first vaccine on Friday, my friend who is in group four due to having cystic fibrosis hasn’t even been invited for his first vaccine yet.

@pinkhappy

Thank you to everyone who is sticking to one suggestion per answer and no politics!

There shouldn't be any politics.

Not even from the politicians!

A public health crisis is the time to put politics second to the piblics best interests.

Publicise the symptoms that children with covid generally have, and require quarantine and testing for any of these symptoms. The Zoe study showed that over half of children with covid don't have the supposedly classic three symptoms that the NHS parrots. The most common symptoms are listed here, they include headache, fatigue and sore throat covid.joinzoe.com/post/back-to-school

My child is in special school so those teaching in special schools acknowledged as being a care role and be vaccinated now. This will limit transmission into our home and reduce the risk of classes needing to shut.

Masks are already worn by staff. Rotas not needed. Most children do not share transport.

I would like ill children and staff not to attend school. Yes it is shit when you have to take time off work to look after a poorly child, but you sign up for that when you choose to become a parent. Staff who attend work ill (not just schools) should be sent home rather than spreading their germs.

@pinkhappy

Thank you to everyone who is sticking to one suggestion per answer and no politics!

I stuck to one 😀

@ichundich

More outdoor lessons, especially for primary.

Agree with this. And I think as well as outdoors more physical activity. We need to make sure we prioritise a good public health message for the future.

Now feel bad for saying masks instead of:

vaccinations for teachers/TAs/vulnerable 16+ etc three weeks before pupils go back in masks.

pe outside and daily (to give rooms time to ventilate)