Annoyed that schools weren’t mentioned once in the press conference

[OnceuponaRainbow18]

So masks back in shops and on public transport, where most people are double jabbed and can distance, yet not in secondary schools where majority unvaccinated and unable to distance at all. But don’t fear we can open a window.

I was surprised he didn't mention hospitality going back to some measures, it's December soon pubs and bars will be absolutely packed I'd think they were more a spreader than shopping

I’m a teacher overseas and all our kids and staff wear masks in school, at all times. It’s been no problem at all. I don’t see why it’s such a big deal.

The kids in our school are back in masks in communal areas they have been for 2weeks now

and mask wearing all the time in Wales and Scotland has really made a difference hasn't it- in all settings.

No, it hasn't!

As for the 'new scary variant' don't you think the timing is somewhat suspect-this variant was first 'discovered' in July. SA health are saying it's not anything to be concerned about but as usual our government along with the media like to create some drama ...

If the entire class are identified as close contacts.

I can't see why they wouldn't be.

@clarcats don't think it wad july read elsewhere it was only beginning november think it was something different july
Isn't it only at moment for 3 weeks whilst they learn more as they don't know fully about it yet , so seems sensible to bring in a few things whilst awaiting more details

@Hospedia

I'm really curious about isolation for a close contact. Surely that means a child positive with a Omicrom variant could mean an entire class isolating?

If the entire class are identified as close contacts. At the minute it's only those who are within 2m and even then they only need a negative PCR and can return to school. I think if the variant takes off then there could be a return to bubbles and whole class isolation.

It's going to be a bumpy winter.

I believe that close contacts will have to do the full 10 day isolation if the new variant is the type of covid detected. Regardless of vaccine status / negative PCR.

I'm happy to be corrected.

Yes our secondary has full time mask wearing now, has for weeks.
Numbers dropped after it was introduced.

@Whinge because some won't be within 2 meters

I believe that close contacts will have to do the full 10 day isolation if the new variant is the type of covid detected. Regardless of vaccine status / negative PCR.

I'm happy to be corrected.

That's how I understood it, which is why i'm concerned about schools. This could mean multiple classes isolating, especially if a staff member is the positive case.

@Tittyfilarious81

I was surprised he didn't mention hospitality going back to some measures, it's December soon pubs and bars will be absolutely packed I'd think they were more a spreader than shopping

I thought the same, presumably it is a money driven decision, if pubs & restaurants had to start limiting numbers would some go bust I wonder

@RabbitFooFoo really do you have the data for that ? Its dropped in some schools round here , mainly i suspect because so many of them have had it

I'm quite surprised by this thread. My dd's secondary has never stopped wearing masks and all children wear them at all times except when eating or drinking.

@ShowOfHands and have you had covid cases ?

Amusingly the WhatsApp group that has been almost constantly slagging off the HT of my DD’s school for never getting rid of all the measures, and putting in some school specific ones), has gone very quiet this evening.

My ds has had to wear a mask for moving around college since going back , he wears a mask at work and in shops he still caught covid from somewhere though

[quote worriedatthemoment]@Whinge because some won't be within 2 meters[/quote]
Obviously I can't speak for every school, but right now in my primary school a child could easily come into contact (within 2 meteres) with everyone in their class, especially as it's the time over an entire day.

@Crunchymum You’re right - the 10 day isolation is a requirement for close contacts of the new variant

Metres

So frustrating op.
Don't forget it's not just classrooms, it's also staff rooms and other shared areas.
Whitty said how pronounced infections are in that age group and yet zero.. Mitigation measures.

@Tittyfilarious81

I was surprised he didn't mention hospitality going back to some measures, it's December soon pubs and bars will be absolutely packed I'd think they were more a spreader than shopping

It's because masks are much worse for the hospitality sector than for retail.

It's worrying that nothing was mentioned regarding schools and increasing mitigation's. The only mitigation's in my DD's school are placed on the parents and that's it. Also how are people meant to know what strain they have in order for the isolation to be done properly?

There is no distancing in school or college though so if course they are going to catch it from each other. especially when many teachers close windows and think it's stuff and nonsense and no one can stop them.

My teens school reintroduced masks after half term. And possibly will be reintroducing bubbles both of which is being supported by the local council.

Maybe other schools will act on their own initiative or by suggestions from the local council,

@OnceuponaRainbow18 yeah I asked and it looks like a no! I'm not impressed tbh