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Original poster

What are your predictions for this school year?

466 replies

Sheepsheepmoresheep · 25/08/2021 11:35

Be interesting to look back. I didn’t think they’d close the schools again this time last year, but I was wrong!

I don’t think they’ll close the schools again … but we’ll see!

OP posts:
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14
Bryonyshcmyony · 26/08/2021 07:39

Am I unusual in assuming that my kids - can't make a judgment on any others! - are not going to die from Covid.

lannistunut · 26/08/2021 07:39

@Bryonyshcmyony

I would rather get covid than my teen miss any more education. I think plenty of parents feel the same.
This is a false choice and all policy is about numbers.

I would rather my teen didn't miss education AND didn't catch covid.

We should be trying to make that the outcome for as many children as feasible.

Johnson has simply surrendered over even trying to limit the impact on our children's health. That is not OK with me.

borntobequiet · 26/08/2021 07:40

@Watapalava

Exactly Jourdain - theres another thread on here were majority say they wont vaccinate their kids
Hardly a randomly selected sample (see above).
Bryonyshcmyony · 26/08/2021 07:42

Why is my choice a false choice and yours isn't Confused

lannistunut · 26/08/2021 07:43

@Bryonyshcmyony

Am I unusual in assuming that my kids - can't make a judgment on any others! - are not going to die from Covid.
Hmm

Oh yes, that's right.

Those of us who are worried about Covid generally, all believe our child will DIE.

I do think everyone's child has a strong chance of being off school for a month with covid, which is suboptimal.

JuliaBlackberry · 26/08/2021 07:43

I don't think there will be more lockdowns. It's an unsustainable way of continuing things. I think delta will zip through schools alongside many other winter viruses.

As a secondary teacher I hope:
Masks will be reinstated over winter
Large gatherings like assemblies will still be on hold.

I try not to be anxious- I'm double vaccinated and generally in good health. But some of my classes have 35 kids Shock and many between 30 and 34. The rooms are not massive and one of them doesn't even have windows that can open. We are one of many many state schools with this issue so chances of covid spread are unfortunately high.

PrincessNutNuts · 26/08/2021 07:44

@Bryonyshcmyony

You could equally say that he is protecting our children by letting them get an education. An education is a human right, remember.

Disclaimer I do not vote Conservative and think the govt is a bunch of muppets, but I find the ideology of the left trying to close schools and keep lockdown even worse.

Someone else must have been in charge during the massive disruption of our children's education for the last two school years then.

I'm not sure which poster you are responding to. I haven't seen anyone advocate for closing schools, restricting children's access to education, or imposing a lockdown.

The government has done all of those things however.

Perhaps take it up with them?

PrincessNutNuts · 26/08/2021 07:45

@Bryonyshcmyony

Am I unusual in assuming that my kids - can't make a judgment on any others! - are not going to die from Covid.
Has anyone suggested they will?
Bryonyshcmyony · 26/08/2021 07:47

I find this doublespeak on Mumsnet utterly disengenous and infuriating.

Oh, we don't want to close schools! We never said we want to close schools! Where have we said we want to close schools?!

To keep schools open we just want a whole list of mitigations that aren't going to happen! See how reasonable we are!

LostThings · 26/08/2021 07:48

Give the news this morning I'm worried. Cases rising while the protection given from vaccines wanes - not a great combination. I still think schools will be the last places to close though. Personally i think they need to concentrate on giving out the boosters, rather than vaccinating children.

Bryonyshcmyony · 26/08/2021 07:49

Boris Johnson's deliberate choice of policies will knowingly lead to higher infections, illness, disabilities and deaths amongst children

Bryonyshcmyony · 26/08/2021 07:50

@GiveMeNovocain

My prediction for schools? They'll be pretty much back to normal and children will get ill, but not from Covid, from all the bugs they've always caught but it'll be more intense as they rebuild immunity.

Can I make a prediction for Mumsnet? There'll be the usual hyperbole and demands for safe schools, which really mean closed and part time school and more damage for children.

I'll second your prediction
PrincessNutNuts · 26/08/2021 07:50

@Bryonyshcmyony

I find this doublespeak on Mumsnet utterly disengenous and infuriating.

Oh, we don't want to close schools! We never said we want to close schools! Where have we said we want to close schools?!

To keep schools open we just want a whole list of mitigations that aren't going to happen! See how reasonable we are!

Masks, opening windows, social distancing and vaccination are either happening or have previously happened.
lannistunut · 26/08/2021 07:51

The only reason the mitigations won't happen is because the government will choose to spend money on other things than invest in school mitigations.

If you want high rates of covid, then you will be happy with the government's choices.

But they are CHOICES. To pretend this is not a choice suggests you understand nothing of how government works.

It is not a choice between:
Covid + school
No covid + no school

The choice is:
Higher covid + school
Lower covid + school

The government have chosen higher covid + school, a deliberate policy decision made by the government

lannistunut · 26/08/2021 07:55

@Bryonyshcmyony

Boris Johnson's deliberate choice of policies will knowingly lead to higher infections, illness, disabilities and deaths amongst children
That does not mean 'my child will die' but obviously if we have more covid infections in schildren, the mathematical facts of Covid do not change so we will have more illness, disabilities and deaths.

If we increase the speed limit to 40 in towns, more children will die - statistically it remains highly unlikely to be my child as I only have a very small number of all the children in the country - surely everyone understands that Confused

PrincessNutNuts · 26/08/2021 07:58

@Bryonyshcmyony

I would rather get covid than my teen miss any more education. I think plenty of parents feel the same.
Won't your teen have to isolate at home if you get covid?
BitterTits · 26/08/2021 08:00

Of the two positive cases I know recently, both were double vaxxed and one has been quite unwell (I haven't heard about the other). I'm torn. On the one hand I want my DCs to be in school, to learn and socialise in the logical hope that they will only get a mild dose themselves. On the other hand as a middle-aged teacher I expect to catch it, will not be at work if I'm unwell and wont return until I'm recovered. I also have this nagging worry that my DCs could be severely ill.

I wonder what will happen to parents' pay this year if their DCs have to isolate? I know some won't have been paid last year but I suspect that will be widespread this year, apart from home workers.

nether · 26/08/2021 08:01

The choice is:
Higher covid + school
Lower covid + school

The government have chosen higher covid + school, a deliberate policy decision made by the government

Exactly. And it is concerning for those who have a CEV person (for whom the jab might not have worked) in the household and teen DC who go to school.

I wish the government had chosen the household as the unit of infectivity, and that like Scotland they would be requiring masks in classrooms.

They should also have done more on ventilation sooner, but at least there are some signs that a little might happen (though possibly not in time to have an impact this winter)

It seems particularly shit to be risking the autumn term - the longer one where most of the teaching for the year takes place. This is especially hard for years 11 and 13 who will be sitting their exams this year and need both to catch up on gaps from disruption across the first year of the courses and complete what would normally have been taught as well

GiveMeNovocain · 26/08/2021 08:01

I don't know any working age adults who've been off work for a month and I know a lot of people who've caught Covid. Absolute nonsense to expect any significant number of children to get it worse.

BitterTits · 26/08/2021 08:01

Well, no as per current strategy.

BitterTits · 26/08/2021 08:02

Sorry that was @PrincessNutNuts.

PrincessNutNuts · 26/08/2021 08:02

@Bryonyshcmyony

Boris Johnson's deliberate choice of policies will knowingly lead to higher infections, illness, disabilities and deaths amongst children
Yes.

Higher cases means higher everything else.

Especially if your government chooses to remove mitigations such as masks and isolating contacts.

PrincessNutNuts · 26/08/2021 08:04

@Bryonyshcmyony

What about lft testing in schools?
What about it?

Everyone at Tramlines and Boardmasters had to do one.

Thousands caught covid.

PrincessNutNuts · 26/08/2021 08:10

@BitterTits

Well, no as per current strategy.
Have the government not properly updated the guidance then?

Because it says this: (updated August 13th)

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection#samehousehold

What are your predictions for this school year?
PrincessNutNuts · 26/08/2021 08:12

Ignore me @BitterTits It's only teens over 18 and a half who still have to isolate. I've put my contacts in now.