Outbreaks in schools

[Trustisamust]

Since schools have returned there have already been major outbreaks in both my child's secondary and the primary I work at.
The majority of school staff remain unvaccinated.
For how many other schools is this already the case?
I just don't know what to think any more.

My school has had 4 bubbles burst this week - over 110 children now SI till the Easter holidays. We've lost a quarter of our staff too. Again, nothing in the news but is is happening.

Yes our school - secondary - 4 cases so far in different year groups.

High school near me, 5 cases in 3 year groups...to think it won’t spread now schools have opened is extremely niave 🧐

What tickles me is that some people refuse to believe that Covid could possibly spread in schools...

Yet, if we were talking about an office that opened, with 1500 workers crammed in; masks optional and 60% not bothering to do the LFT, then we’d ALL be talking about how fucking stupid it was.
If we then went on to say that those workers were sharing lunch, drinks, kisses and that social distancing was non-existent, we’d be absolutely stunned! Disbelieving! How could they?!
We’d all accept then that it wasn’t very Covid safe.

All of our staff (I'm staff) and almost all of the children have been tested 3 times since we went back and all tests have been negative.
Staff and students are wearing masks - fewer than one child per class not wearing them, for valid reasons.
Cleaning staff disinfecting desks, door handles, banisters etc multiple times per day.
All windows and doors open in classrooms.
Everyone gelling the life out of their hands.
Staggered arrivals & lunch times.
Fingers crossed that all these precautions continue to keep us safe.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/live-updates-more-nottinghamshire-schools-5200724.amp

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/68-greater-manchester-schools-now-20214064.amp

Just googled Manc and Notts, seems to be quite a few. Google Birmingham - nothing! Either Birmingham needs to share their covid suppressing secrets or not all local papers are reporting. More mixing in unvaccinated groups = covid spread.

@Totallyfedup1979

What tickles me is that some people refuse to believe that Covid could possibly spread in schools...

Yet, if we were talking about an office that opened, with 1500 workers crammed in; masks optional and 60% not bothering to do the LFT, then we’d ALL be talking about how fucking stupid it was.
If we then went on to say that those workers were sharing lunch, drinks, kisses and that social distancing was non-existent, we’d be absolutely stunned! Disbelieving! How could they?!
We’d all accept then that it wasn’t very Covid safe.

Ahh but do they have green paper towels in offices and bubbles of size 300??

My school (primary) had two bubbles pop on day 3. Unrelated cases.

My chns school have had 1 bubble pop.

Since September, I have lost count at work, and have had at least 6 closures between my 2 children.

The two schools are 20 miles apart and in the North West

I don’t think people are denying that some schools have kids isolating, it’s just that the implications are not the same as they were previously. Covid has not gone away and is probably not going to. It is a case of living with it, which is a balancing act.

As for third wave, most predictions are later in the year. When we’ve all had some freedom, travelled and weather starts getting colder and we head back indoors. Vaccine is 90% effective, coverage maybe 70% as children are very unlikely to be done before the end of the year. That’s a significant amount of people vulnerable to infection. A third wave is an increase in numbers, not a prediction of how many deaths/hospitalisations there will be. I don’t think it will mirror Europe because we’ve done so many more vaccinations. The messaging is very much top up
Vaccine reasonably likely for more vulnerable in autumn and likely to be third wave later in the year with increased restrictions. To a certain extent it’s unpredictable but I the think the expectation is reasonably clear!

It is a case of living with it, which is a balancing act this balancing act is basically impossible though, so long as we have variants. It is just gambling, not balancing.

I'm sad about risking my children getting long covid or post-covid diabetes. The government imo is being very reckless with the nation's future health.

DC managed 2 days before we had a parent Mail warning us of an outbreak in Yr 1 and then another at the start of this week in Yr 5

DN’s senior school have sent year 8 & 10 home to isolate too, so far no break out at the school I work but really it’s only a matter of time

@StanfordPines

Oh and if you look on the county website then it says the school is open too.

Exactly !! I said the same thing. So much hidden under the carpet and so many believing in it .

@BungleandGeorge

I don’t think people are denying that some schools have kids isolating, it’s just that the implications are not the same as they were previously. Covid has not gone away and is probably not going to. It is a case of living with it, which is a balancing act.

As for third wave, most predictions are later in the year. When we’ve all had some freedom, travelled and weather starts getting colder and we head back indoors. Vaccine is 90% effective, coverage maybe 70% as children are very unlikely to be done before the end of the year. That’s a significant amount of people vulnerable to infection. A third wave is an increase in numbers, not a prediction of how many deaths/hospitalisations there will be. I don’t think it will mirror Europe because we’ve done so many more vaccinations. The messaging is very much top up
Vaccine reasonably likely for more vulnerable in autumn and likely to be third wave later in the year with increased restrictions. To a certain extent it’s unpredictable but I the think the expectation is reasonably clear!

Why would there be increased restrictions if the unvaccinated is not adults and what kind do you mean?

Local news reports aren’t what people look at. It doesn’t mean much that it’s in the local paper or not, it’s numbers reported that you need. Either LFT, ONS, or PCR other studies

When people say they know they have no cases it isn’t to say they don’t believe other schools that do. More to counteract all the pp who say how do you know, you wouldn’t know. Many do - via weekly email.

@Totallyfedup1979

What tickles me is that some people refuse to believe that Covid could possibly spread in schools...

Yet, if we were talking about an office that opened, with 1500 workers crammed in; masks optional and 60% not bothering to do the LFT, then we’d ALL be talking about how fucking stupid it was.
If we then went on to say that those workers were sharing lunch, drinks, kisses and that social distancing was non-existent, we’d be absolutely stunned! Disbelieving! How could they?!
We’d all accept then that it wasn’t very Covid safe.

Completely agree. Just wait for the complaints to begin from those who have been working from home when they are asked to go back to their workplaces for - oh, no - two whole days a week.

"As someone said on another thread, these LFD tests are like "taking a pregnancy test when you're already pregnant!""

You say that as if it resonated with you and makes perfect sense. What a strange way to think.

I'd say, based on that, that you'd need to do a fair bit more reading before you're in a position to start analysing data and making wild statements about "major outbreaks"

Couldn't have said it better myself. The science is very muddled.

My role is with an LA so I do see numbers across schools.

We have positive cases in schools and nurseries.

On average from 100 nurseries and PVI settings there are currently 5 fully closed as a large proportion of staff and children are in isolation. Numbers of staff and pupils positive with COVID ranges. 4 staff and 3 children so far in one setting to 8 staff and 9 children in another.
Some settings are part closed ( one room). Some parents have also tested positive.

Similar for schools. Four schools fully closed due to staff/child isolation. Positive for COVID ranges from 2 staff and 4 children to 10 staff members and 13 children. In isolation and part closed again a range - 8 staff and 56 children to 22 staff and 90 children in 6 schools. Parents also with COVID and of course also many now in isolation.

@HambleIsle
In which (general) area of the country are you working ? I don’t think people realise that they aren’t getting all the info and think, therefore, their areas are unaffected.

[quote BustopherPonsonbyJones]@HambleIsle
In which (general) area of the country are you working ? I don’t think people realise that they aren’t getting all the info and think, therefore, their areas are unaffected.[/quote]
Do you mean not getting info from specific school?

@HambleIsle

My role is with an LA so I do see numbers across schools.

We have positive cases in schools and nurseries.

On average from 100 nurseries and PVI settings there are currently 5 fully closed as a large proportion of staff and children are in isolation. Numbers of staff and pupils positive with COVID ranges. 4 staff and 3 children so far in one setting to 8 staff and 9 children in another.
Some settings are part closed ( one room). Some parents have also tested positive.

Similar for schools. Four schools fully closed due to staff/child isolation. Positive for COVID ranges from 2 staff and 4 children to 10 staff members and 13 children. In isolation and part closed again a range - 8 staff and 56 children to 22 staff and 90 children in 6 schools. Parents also with COVID and of course also many now in isolation.

What is your community rate?

Eg out of 100k

Friend's dd has a friend just tested positive, and dh's colleagues son has tested positive.
Most of the local secondaries have had cases which have closed bubbles/classes.

M any of our local areas in our city and the surrounding towns have reported an increase in cases, especially of younger people, but all have reported that it is due to an increase in testing rather than being because schools are back.

My own school is primary and we've had no cases, but we were very badly hit in autumn term and around 75% staff caught it then, so we are unlikely to be badly hit now.

I was attacked on FB for suggesting cases will go up due to schools opening.

“So you’re blaming children for spreading coronavirus. Haven’t they already been through enough!”

No, I’m not blaming ‘children’, I’m blaming mass gatherings....which is basically what a school is. Let’s not beat around the bush.

My classroom is jam packed. I could only fit another child in if I had them sit on someone else’s lap. Our parents are largely against masks and testing. They’d rather not know if their child has Covid, due to the loss of work it will cause them.

I can’t understand why people think Covid won’t be a problem in schools any more? Kids, teens, teachers and parents are a huge unvaccinated group. Covid will spread and possibly mutate. It’s just basic science.
The government and their scientists won’t admit this ....there’s no evidence. But they don’t deny it either.

Wales has announced ‘mask wearing is not compulsory’....but LAs are desperately messaging schools saying mask compliance is vital. Lol. Try implementing that one! Fucking idiots.

I’m glad to be in work....gets me out of the house and moving around! Everyone who’s been working from home seemed to have gained a shed load of weight! But I’m realistic about catching Covid; spreading it and my pupils getting it. It’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of when.

My Godson had to take a test on Friday before going back to secondary school in London. As far as I know everyone was negative. They tested again on Tuesday and 2 tested positive in 2 year groups. His 2nd day back will be Monday 22nd. My daughter's primary school hasn't had any positive cases and as far as I know the local secondary school is still fully open. Many parents are reluctant to test their children though. They can't afford to take time off if their child tested positive, they won't put their child through the trauma of a test etc. I can understand to a point. They may have an unreasonable boss, loss of money etc but it is beyond selfish. This virus is deadly. If isolating because my child tested positive meant I didn't meet a vulnerable person in the supermarket and pass on the virus to them then I have potentially saved a life and helped stop the spread.