Interesting article on govt inaction, kids and 4th wave

[beentoldcomputersaysno]

bylinetimes.com/2021/08/18/the-fourth-wave-children-paying-the-price-of-government-inaction-and-covid-19-lobbying/

@lannistunut

we have to ride this out now the article isn't about what we need to do, it is about what we are doing to our children, in terms of exposing them to higher risk of ill health than we need to.

Yeah, because locking them down, restricting their activities, making them wear masks etc for a virus that is very low risk to them wasn’t ‘high risk’ at all. Have you looked at the impact it’s had on their mental health? Far worse than than the virus IMO.

People need to start taking care g responsibility for their own actions, throughout the pandemic, some people have refused to follow the rules and guidelines, and continue to state that if there were further restrictions etc they wouldnt comply, and then complain when numbers and hospitalizations rise

Does that really happen?

More likely those that have decided they don’t give a xxxx will increasingly be indifferent to case numbers, I’d have thought.

They might well grumble about the reimposition of restrictions on the other hand.

Prob they don’t consider that a reasonable thing. Hence why the grumble. It’s not likely they are about-turning and grumbling rhetorically about why numbers rise.

There are probably more than zero people who fall into that category, but otherwise I agree, those of us who will be non-compliant with restrictions are for the most part not those who will be rhetorically grumbling about rising numbers.

This is not to say schools should do /absolutely/ nothing, but you certainly have to ask why don't people act to protect themselves or their family if it is so important?

Can you imagine what it is like in the current climate to have a child or someone in your household who is CEV or CV?

Can you tell me how I protect my CV child in school with no masks, no bubbles, no staggered start/finish, all kids through the same entrance? Like everyone else, my concern is my child's education and his mental health. That he has the same access to education as his peers because despite covid, he can still statistically expect to live a long life and be a member of the workforce. He will, however, be always disabled.

The problem with people like you is you can't see a bigger picture. The fact that all children deserve a decent start in life and much could be done to help protect those who are vulnerable. It's just that you think it's our problem, not yours. It isn't. We're a society. Supposed to be a civilised society but my goodness, these last 18 months have shown what disablist bigots so many of us are.

I think taking additional precautions (in addition to ventilation) like testing, isolation of household members of a case and mask wearing will reduce the risk of a high spike when schools go back. I also think

Hospitals will still be at risk (albeit lower than last year due to vaccination) of being overwhelmed. Already there are increasing waiting lists due to being unable to catch up over summer.

Masks do have a downside - for those who have hearing problems and those who find it interrupts their study. However no masks has a problem for some who are vulnerable and has implications for population case rate and knock on effects for nhs and wider society.

I do think that the option of vaccination should be given to 12-15year olds and their families.

Is that really a fair comment on the last 18 months?: “these last 18 months have shown what disablist bigots so many of us are.”

If anything, surely the last 18 months has been about everyone giving up all kinds of things including contact with loved ones, missing life events, and absolutely all for the vulnerable?

It is fair obaervarion that I wouldn’t have, for example, worn a mask voluntarily. But that’s because I don’t believe they are effective. If anything, I regard it as somewhat disingenuous to pursue them so enthusiastically while realising that at best they offer very limited protection. FFP3, on the other hand, can be a different story, but there’s the rub — that’s not what we push for.

FFP3, on the other hand, can be a different story, but there’s the rub — that’s not what we push for.

Yeah I don’t understand this

Surely protecting the vulnerable properly would be better than everyone running around with ill fitting bits of cloth round their face.

UsForThem have been amazing in standing up for our children, the vast vast majority of whom won't get in the slightest bit ill from covid. Vulnerable kids are already being offered the vaccine. Looking at the measured risk benefit to children, the risk to their mental health and well-being is FAR greater than covid with schools closed and children wearing masks.

I support usforthem all the way and cannot agree with the statements made in this article.

@bluetongue

I’m really uncomfortable about the idea of primary aged children wearing masks. Admittedly I don’t have children myself but I know I would have really struggled as a child (I struggle with masks as an adult). I also don’t cope well with heat and would have felt seriously unwell if I had to wear a mask in warm weather. My concentration on schoolwork would have most definitely have suffered.

My 9 year old will be exempted by me if there's any hint of primary schools enforcing masks. I don't give a shiny shite what other countries do to cope. I'll happily lie and say he can't cope wearing a mask.

@Getawaywithit

This is not to say schools should do /absolutely/ nothing, but you certainly have to ask why don't people act to protect themselves or their family if it is so important?

Can you imagine what it is like in the current climate to have a child or someone in your household who is CEV or CV?

Can you tell me how I protect my CV child in school with no masks, no bubbles, no staggered start/finish, all kids through the same entrance? Like everyone else, my concern is my child's education and his mental health. That he has the same access to education as his peers because despite covid, he can still statistically expect to live a long life and be a member of the workforce. He will, however, be always disabled.

The problem with people like you is you can't see a bigger picture. The fact that all children deserve a decent start in life and much could be done to help protect those who are vulnerable. It's just that you think it's our problem, not yours. It isn't. We're a society. Supposed to be a civilised society but my goodness, these last 18 months have shown what disablist bigots so many of us are.

Is your dc under 13? If not, they can be vaccinated now.

Government inaction and lack of care for those in education is not exactly news. It's been the same since February 2020.

Mr Johnson should have been engaging with there devolved administrations and opposition parties properly from the start, so that backbench opposition from his own party would not stop him acting.

Doesn’t it also depend on exactly what conditions a child has? I saw some posts where families had kids keen to have vaccine but didn’t fall into right vulnerable category.

I think for 12-18 year olds, they should have the option and info available - it’s not always positive risk-benefit to have it, but people should have the info and choice to have it.

Well my DD went back to school yesterday, today we got an email letting us know that someone in her class has tested positive and asking us to do a PCR test on her but no need to isolate while waiting for a result and no actual requirement to do the test.

I anticipate by Tuesday next week we'll be getting a message to say that more than 5 people have tested positive and public health have advised to close the class for 10 days.

Is that really a fair comment on the last 18 months?: “these last 18 months have shown what disablist bigots so many of us are

Yes, very fair. This forum has been full of it for months and months…the persistent ‘but they had underlying conditions’, dismissing deaths of people who without covid would have lived. The persistent ‘you can keep your child off if they’re vulnerable’ because my child’s right to an education and the state of his mental health doesn’t matter. The refusal to wear masks which might just make school a little safer for children like mine. The lack of bubbles, staggered starts etc are all worrying for families like mine.

Is your dc under 13? If not, they can be vaccinated now

Not the case. Some CEV children are now being vaccinated. My child is considered CV. It does look like plans are afoot to vaccinate all over 12s who want it but it’s already too late to get it done before being back in school.

refusal to wear masks which might just make school a little safer for children

But be a bit critical — they /might/ make it a /bit/ safer, but knowing how children actually behave (as opposed to what we might dream), I doubt very much. It's not a bet I'd place if my child were really V.

Give DC a FFP3? Or ask the school to allow you to drop off from the main door? Or even just a bit later —why not suggest it? I doubt the school would decline. I expect there would be broad take-up.

but it’s already too late to get it done before being back in school

I actually doubt that. Speaking from experience, it's amazing what a sympathetic doctors letter can do in a quiet walk-in-centre once you get past the armed guards at the car park and reception. Ignore any advice to speak to 119 — they only get scripts. GP reception are also to be ignored.

I disagree with your bigots comment. One of the reasons why we locked down was to protect vulnerable people. The whole country did it.