If they open up schools all at once, I'm done with every other precaution

[BettyBoomerang]

If the 'leak' is true and they are stupid enough to open up all schools to all kids at the same time (thus leading to uncontrolled transmission of variants and increased risk of vaccine escape, further lockdowns and a redo of the vaccination programme) then I'm done with any kind of compliance.

I'm not staying at home like a fucking stupid sitting duck, waiting for my kids to come home with Covid anymore. The kids can see their friends, have sleepovers and we'll go out and about and visit friends and relatives and do the maximum we can.

You can pile in and call me selfish or whatever - I genuinely don't care anymore. I'm not putting my life on hold just for the government to fuck the recovery up again. I'm the most compliant of pretty much everyone I know but this is it for me, and many others I suspect (most of whom are already doing way more than me). If it's safe for my kids to go to school, then everything is safe.

@MrsHusky

Then by your own logic, you must never be close to any of your loved ones the rest of your life for fear of also passing on any other contagious virus while still potentially in incubation period.

Good luck out there infecting each other. I'll just wait here and stick by the rules - I've been alone for almost 12 months so reckon I can hold on a bit longer.

settles in and waits for lockdown #4

Exactly. You can settle in and wait for lockdown 4 or you can crack on with your life.

[quote ineedaholidaynow]@IloveFebruary and many schools have had bubbles burst so how do you think that will improve if all pupils go in[/quote]
My DC’s school had an increase in attendance of over 450%. One class bubble burst in 6 weeks.

I know it’s unpopular on this site but I’m delighted my DC will get to return at the same time unlike the last lockdown where one sibling is in school while the other had to wait weeks to return.
They all deserve the same opportunities, not dependent on whether their Dad is self-employed and writes himself a letter saying he is a KW or whether their Mum calls the school in tears saying they need their DC to go in because of their mental health and certainly not because someone who’s never met my children decided it’s more important for year 1 to return then year 2.

Why can secondary age children be vaccinated against Covid. Surely that would reduce the risk
of a further lockdown after schools return. I’m not advocating primary school children but maybe age 14 plus.

I’m fed up with the goalposts being moved. First it was protect the elderly and vulnerable, then the NHS now it’s lockdown will be lifted gradually probably by July.

I’m not going to put life on hold for much longer.

Also what guidance were school following when they were last open? Our primary had doors and windows open, the rooms weren't unventilated as people keep saying.

And at pick up, parents etc queued distanced while wearing masks, picked up their child and promptly left the area.

@Pastanred death is not the only bad thing. The risk of ICU admission jumps in the 50 plus age group.
DH is ECV so group 4 and has only just been jabbed. I am over 50, mild asthma, BMI 35 and IGroup 9. He is WFM. I work out of home and do supermarket runs etc. I am now more vulnerable than he is.

You’re a real odd bod OP

As in properly odd

Best all round that your kids are back at school I suspect

The sad thing about the selfish attitude from SOME posters on this thread is that it's not them who will suffer consequences again.

It's, once again, children who are at risk of school closure (the 50% not already in school at least....)
the few businesses who are sinking faster and faster because they cannot offer click and collect or any service

Being petulant about "children" being sent to school so "I am seeing my friends too!" is just despicable.

At this point i think i'll withdraw, you're either a troll or an idiot, and either way, touting this kind of attitude and encouraging others to break the laws currently in place is stupid and dangerous.

I agree.

[quote faerin]@snowballer

How would the way people people lived their lives before the restrictions NOT factor in to how well people are able to comply with restrictions put on their lives?

You didn't offer an actual rebuttal to my point.

In June of 2019, this was published:

"Nearly half of Brits socialise once a month or less" - www.independent.co.uk/life-style/loneliness-week-friends-socialising-once-month-sainsbury-s-living-well-index-a8961686.html

Does it not seem reasonable that if you were one of these people who lived a particularly boring, quite lonely life that you were adjusted to before lockdown, you would fall into the category of people for whom lockdown has not changed much?

It's absolutely my stance that the bracket of the population who are currently - almost a year on - still foaming at the mouth with "selfish!" at people daring to visit their own flesh and blood, were likely well-adjusted to lonely, boring, uneventful lives pre-2020.[/quote]
Haha - why would I rebut a point that a five year old would make in the playground while sticking their tongue out?! People can make reasoned, rational decisions unrelated to their emotions. Whether or not they have friends or loved ones is irrelevant.

But, if I must, to respond to your point, I'd say those that have loved ones who might be at more risk from an increased level of infection are probably more likely to follow the rules than less. Additionally those with children have a vested interest in ensuring that schools stay open and are potentially more likely therefore to follow the rules. OP aside of course.

Violet
But the increased transmission it will cause will only be at a manageable level if schools are the ONLY change. If we all say 'fuck it' in addition to opening schools, that is when we really will be in trouble.

I was just about to post saying the same but you put it much better than me .
I think it will be explained at length in today's news conference. There was a politician on the radio last week saying that when schools went back last time there was a lot more out of school mixing and some parents went back to work which all increased infection rates.

As far as I’m concerned, the government has squandered my caution and sacrifice for a year now. They’re about to squander all the gains of the last lockdown and the vaccine programme because they’re giving in to pressure groups and extreme back bench opinions. I’d have to be a mug to now sit at home yet again not seeing family and let them do it all over again.

@BessMarvin

I really don't understand people saying that if the government proceeds with the first stage of opening up, which will inevitably lead to some kind of increase in infections, they are going to actively go out and try to make as many extra transmissions as possible in other ways.

Exactly.

People are really hard of hearing on this. You prioritise education. That means no parties (sorry you will have to wait a bit longer before you can show off on social media about being so #blessed and all your lovely friends you have dinner parties with). It's really not that difficult to understand - all I can think is that the UK populations' IQ has taken a major hit during lockdown.

You have a "contact budget". Education is very important so you use it for that. That means we have to wait longer to go the pub and have our hair cut (admittedly I doubt a single person has become ill in the hairdressers.

Stop being so illogical op

Engage your brain if you can

Read the posts that explain it to you

@Northernsoulgirl45

I know this is going to sound horrific given the sensitivity around weight that is typical. However, I can't help but be slightly annoyed that there are people who still have a high BMI who are expecting me to limit every part of my life - and my children's education.

People have had a full year of knowledge that a high BMI is a high risk factor, but have chosen to do nothing about it. Do you see how that grates a little?

They’re about to squander all the gains of the last lockdown and the vaccine programme because they’re giving in to pressure groups and extreme back bench opinions

Wanting your child back in school is hardly an extreme opinion.

Excellent point made by an earlier poster. Some people are not social, some people love the restrictions and some people foam at others who are sociable and need interactions.

"In June of 2019, this was published:

"Nearly half of Brits socialise once a month or less" - www.independent.co.uk/life-style/loneliness-week-friends-socialising-once-month-sainsbury-s-living-well-index-a8961686.html

Does it not seem reasonable that if you were one of these people who lived a particularly boring, quite lonely life that you were adjusted to before lockdown, you would fall into the category of people for whom lockdown has not changed much?

It's absolutely my stance that the bracket of the population who are currently - almost a year on - still foaming at the mouth with "selfish!" at people daring to visit their own flesh and blood, were likely well-adjusted to lonely, boring, uneventful lives pre-2020."

@DeathAndTaxis Spot on.

@BettyBoomerang

As far as I’m concerned, the government has squandered my caution and sacrifice for a year now. They’re about to squander all the gains of the last lockdown and the vaccine programme because they’re giving in to pressure groups and extreme back bench opinions. I’d have to be a mug to now sit at home yet again not seeing family and let them do it all over again.

You'll be allowed to meet people outside with certain restrictions

I wouldnt be having sleepovers etc, but id act like i did last time schools were open, which is continue to be careful and only allow the kids to meet up with people they would be mixing with at school, and encouraging social distancing and masks.

So you think the government should be more cautious and if they aren't you're going to be less cautious?

That's like a toddler getting upset because their biscuit has a broken corner and smashing the whole biscuit on the floor in a tantrum.

If it’s just me then none of you have to worry.

If schools themselves opening won’t cause problems and most people aren’t as darned selfish as me, then there’s no problem. I’m one person.

@Awalkinthefreshair

I get that children need Education, but they need healthy parents even more. I write this as a single parent (literally all my children have as they have no extended family) who suffers from asthma and has not yet been called for the vaccine.

Yes. I am a disabled single parent to two disabled children. I have sleep apnoea and use a CPAP machine at night. My kids High School has simply appalling compliance with 'rules'. (no gel avail, hardly any masks, year groups mix, no tests avail) It is certainly not a C-19 safe' environment, plus it is rural and kids and staff bus / drive in from a large catchment. What could go wrong, huh? I think Primary and exam years back before Easter, others after in as SD way as possible. But the Govt doesn't want to spend any money!

Personally I think the schools opening should be staggered as to reduce level of risk , not just have every pupil back at once. Also I think teachers should be offered the vaccine to protect themselves as much as is possible.

I won't be breaking other rules if this happens as leaked though, I will just feel sorry for the teachers (particularly in Secondary's).