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Original poster

The Road Map: It’s Bollocks, Right?

406 replies

AllTheWayFromLondonDAMN · 24/02/2021 22:42

So, I feel a bit like I’m going loopy. And I want to preface this by saying that I really hope I’m wrong. We are both secondary teachers with two small kids and this year has been an absolute bitch. Work for us has been hugely full in, whether it’s been in school or online teaching. Our infant school aged children have missed school terribly and their whole lives at this age are all about school, their little pals and their grandparents and cousins, all of whom have been off limits for months. So this has been far from fun for us and I have no desire for this to carry on (before anyone accuses me of that).

BUT this is all bollocks isn’t it? I know that numbers are going down and that we are doing really well with the vaccinations but this road map that Boris has announced.... it’s magical thinking isn’t it?!?! Less than eight weeks ago we were in dire straits, with tens of thousands of cases and more than 1500 people a day dying. This lockdown has choked those numbers down but now... throwing all the schools back in at once?! Telling us that we will be able to open up hospitality in only six weeks or so?! Saying we won’t even have to wear masks in just 16ish weeks?! REALLY? Because whilst I know that the warmer weather will make things better and of course the vaccine is making things better, it just feels a bit to me like Boris has decided that he’s bored of Covid so he’s just announcing that it’ll he done and dusted and we can just forget about it by midsummers day. Which seems.... bonkers. Bonkers when this has been going on a year now and very recently we were in huge trouble. Some areas of the country are still in huge trouble. Are other European countries talking like this? Like we can just say we have all had enough, so we are going to stop Covid?! Because if it was that easy wouldn’t we have done this a year ago?!?!

So am I the mad one who’s just being a pessimistic old boot, or is anyone else finding this whole change of tone just a bit.... weird?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
Lemons1571 · 25/02/2021 07:42

I wish school opening had been delayed until after Easter. If all group 6 and 7 had been vaccinated, surely this would have been much better? There’ll be teachers and parents in their 60’s, and/or CV, completely unprotected.

Ansjovis · 25/02/2021 07:45

I am concerned by the steadfast belief shown by some people that the dates are set in stone, and the consequent effect on their mental health if and when any delays occur. I think it is necessary that the roadmap exists, we just need to take notice of the small print.

MildredPuppy · 25/02/2021 07:48

I like the plan. I just feel its a couple of weeks early. All my elderly and CEV relatives, me included have only just had 1 vaccine and the vaccinator said immunity builds over 3 weeks. So schools head back just befofe the immunity is at 50%. And we are told to shield until the 31st march, which is hard with school children in school
But maybe across the country enough are 3 weeks after vaccine 1 to impact on addmissions.

Excitablemuch · 25/02/2021 07:48

If you’re worried then don’t go anywhere. Boris hasn’t said you have to do these things. Aside from going to school you can stay in.

I can’t, I need to see my family and friends and socialise. I’ve done my bit - taught whilst pregnant and I need normality. I think the plan is sensible. People need to remember this has never been about being safe it’s about hospitals. If they are fine then we need to live. They had to scare us to keep us in check but now we need to let go!

Stellaris22 · 25/02/2021 07:54

The government has given up and this ridiculous road map shows it. Nothing has been learned about opening up too early and I'll be amazed if it doesn't cause another lockdown. The PM just wants to be seen as the good guy rather than keeping people safe.

Prioritisation should have been for teachers to be vaccinated before opening up, but nothing has been done to support schools and staff.

The Tory voting elderly have been vaccinated so everyone else is collateral damage.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 25/02/2021 07:54

Well, I opened it up and have studied it thoroughly but now I can't get the darned thing to fold back up again properly. Confused

LST · 25/02/2021 07:55

It's not bonkers at all. The cases last summer decreased significantly even though people were all out and about. The country needs this.

changi · 25/02/2021 07:58

Well, I opened it up and have studied it thoroughly but now I can't get the darned thing to fold back up again properly

I think some people are looking at it upside down.

Excitablemuch · 25/02/2021 07:59

I just don’t understand this vaccinate teachers thing.... if they are CV they will be done. If not then they can still transmit and so children will still take it home? We can’t close til everyone (including children) are done so what else do we do except ensure nhs is not overwhelmed. There is no way of making schools safe - they are as safe as they ever were. If you are CV or CEV then I get the worry but they should be shielded or vaccinated. Everyone else will have to take their chances like they do with flu and pneumonia every year. People seem to think that there should be zero risk now....?

I think that is the lasting effects of this. Worry, anxiety and paranoia around virus.

WhenSheWasBad · 25/02/2021 08:09

You only miss 3 weeks of term. But kids go back after Easter.

That’s 5 more weeks to let the virus numbers drop and get even more people vaccinated. It’s not risk free, nothing is, but it’s a safer option.

WhenSheWasBad · 25/02/2021 08:14

Oops that post was meant to quote someone but it disappeared. Sorry

ILookAtTheFloor · 25/02/2021 08:16

Yes please listen to the scientists not dusty bin
Grin

I think the only bonkers thing is the fact we're opening up so darn slowly.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 25/02/2021 08:27

@WhenSheWasBad

You only miss 3 weeks of term. But kids go back after Easter.

That’s 5 more weeks to let the virus numbers drop and get even more people vaccinated. It’s not risk free, nothing is, but it’s a safer option.

More vaccinated, better weather so more outdoor lessons etc so a return after Easter does make more sense.

The roadmap is too fast, sending millions back to mix in one go whilst they, the staff and parents will be in the majority of the unvaccinated doesn’t seem slow and steady to me.

Cases do matter as well. Children and adults can still get really sick even if they don’t end up a hospital case and gave lasting damage.

WhenSheWasBad · 25/02/2021 08:27

Agreed ilook reopening is 100% needed. It just feels slightly too soon.

The R rate is certain to go above 1 and it will spread. Hopefully there will be no further mutations.

Thepilotlightsgoneout · 25/02/2021 08:29

@WhenSheWasBad

You only miss 3 weeks of term. But kids go back after Easter.

That’s 5 more weeks to let the virus numbers drop and get even more people vaccinated. It’s not risk free, nothing is, but it’s a safer option.

But (it was) two weeks til the 8th, ‘only’ three weeks of term and two weeks of Easter holidays. So that’s actually another seven weeks in full lockdown because nothing can open until schools do, as they’ve pledged schools to be first. So thats the choice the government were actually making.
WhenSheWasBad · 25/02/2021 08:30

Children and adults can still get really sick even if they don’t end up a hospital case and gave lasting damage

Plus teachers are not going to be able to teach children if they are sick. Some of the staff who came down with it last year were off for a month.
Had to come back on an reduced timetable.

WhenSheWasBad · 25/02/2021 08:33

But (it was) two weeks til the 8th, ‘only’ three weeks of term and two weeks of Easter holidays. So that’s actually another seven weeks in full lockdown because nothing can open until schools do, as they’ve pledged schools to be first. So thats the choice the government were actually making

It was always open on 8th at the earliest so I’m not sure why you are adding on an extra two weeks.

If schools HAD to go back to open up the rest of the economy, then rotas should have been introduced for secondary schools.

Our classrooms are stuffed full of kids. It is impossible to socially distance.

MistakenAgain · 25/02/2021 08:45

We might have local lockdowns in areas where fewer people have taken up the vaccine.

SquitMcJit · 25/02/2021 08:47

Excitablemuch

If you’re worried then don’t go anywhere. Boris hasn’t said you have to do these things. Aside from going to school you can stay in.

Yes, but that’s the point for parents. We don’t have a choice because of how England is re-opening schools. We can choose to minimise all other contacts but we will be fined if we don’t agree with the everyone all back in at once strategy.

And, yes I do think children need to be back in schools, as soon as is possible. But I still don’t understand why teachers are expected to work in conditions that my workplace doesn’t allow. And why everyone has forgotten that schools are vectors of transmission to the community. Pupils cannot space out with everyone on site at once. The vaccination programme hasn’t yet covered enough people.

SquitMcJit · 25/02/2021 08:50

@Excitablemuch

I just don’t understand this vaccinate teachers thing.... if they are CV they will be done. If not then they can still transmit and so children will still take it home? We can’t close til everyone (including children) are done so what else do we do except ensure nhs is not overwhelmed. There is no way of making schools safe - they are as safe as they ever were. If you are CV or CEV then I get the worry but they should be shielded or vaccinated. Everyone else will have to take their chances like they do with flu and pneumonia every year. People seem to think that there should be zero risk now....?

I think that is the lasting effects of this. Worry, anxiety and paranoia around virus.

Sorry, quote fail. My post was supposed to quote @exciteablemuch first, and then say:

Yes, but that’s the point for parents. We don’t have a choice because of how England is re-opening schools. We can choose to minimise all other contacts but we will be fined if we don’t agree with the everyone all back in at once strategy.

And, yes I do think children need to be back in schools, as soon as is possible. But I still don’t understand why teachers are expected to work in conditions that my workplace doesn’t allow. And why everyone has forgotten that schools are vectors of transmission to the community. Pupils cannot space out with everyone on site at once. The vaccination programme hasn’t yet covered enough people.

Thepilotlightsgoneout · 25/02/2021 08:52

@WhenSheWasBad

But (it was) two weeks til the 8th, ‘only’ three weeks of term and two weeks of Easter holidays. So that’s actually another seven weeks in full lockdown because nothing can open until schools do, as they’ve pledged schools to be first. So thats the choice the government were actually making

It was always open on 8th at the earliest so I’m not sure why you are adding on an extra two weeks.

If schools HAD to go back to open up the rest of the economy, then rotas should have been introduced for secondary schools.

Our classrooms are stuffed full of kids. It is impossible to socially distance.

When they made the decision about whether to open on the 8th, two weeks before the 8th, their choice at that point was minimum two more weeks of lockdown, open schools on 8th, start to open the rest etc. OR don’t do the 8th, which means a minimum seven more weeks of lockdown before schools open, then the rest...
nordica · 25/02/2021 08:52

I wish people would stop saying "the vulnerable have been vaccinated". That's just not true - for many reasons. There is this article on the BBC today talking about vaccine uptake in some of the most deprived communities were virus levels have been high. It feels like no one cares much though as long as the pubs are open and you can get your hair done again...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56162075

Still, of course I hope everything will work out and the current timings won't lead to lots more illness and deaths. This time last year we hadn't even got anywhere close the peak of hospitalisations though so any argument about the virus being seasonal doesn't really apply to April/May time.

bathsh3ba · 25/02/2021 08:54

I think he's being pretty cautious and he has also, repeatedly, many times said they will be guided by data not dates, which means that the dates may well (and probably will) move. He's just giving us a bit of hope, and we need it - everyone I have seen around looks so much happier in the last couple of days with just the prospect of light at the end of the tunnel.

SquitMcJit · 25/02/2021 08:55

@WhenSheWasBad

“If schools HAD to go back to open up the rest of the economy, then rotas should have been introduced for secondary schools.

Our classrooms are stuffed full of kids. It is impossible to socially distance.”

This 100%

Againstmachine · 25/02/2021 08:56

The people who "a couple more weeks" will say the same in a couple of weeks and so on and so on, they don't want it to end, we are opening very slowly.

My fear is there will be a spike when schools open which will slow down other reopenings.