Don't 'save Christmas' instead save schools and keep them in person in January (Save Schools = YES)

[SoTiredNeedHoliday]

I feel that our kids have suffered enough and missed out on significant important social and academic periods of their lives. It feels like the PM is 'keeping Christmas' because of fears about his popularity and also because of the 'party' sandal. He should be thinking of the greater good and our lives longer term.
I feel restrictions now for 2/3 weeks and enabling kids to go to school in January is far more important than 'keeping Christmas' and having a lockdown or home schooling in January

What do you think?

Save Schools = YES

Yes,
School closures have life long repercussions on children and also disproportionally impact women through taking away childcare and jeopardising their jobs and/or mental health.

As a paramedic I worked 7 out of 10 Christmases in the first decade of my career. It was frustrating, at times upsetting, but it hasn't had some terrible lasting consequences, so people can definitely cope with a disrupted Christmas again this year.

@Angelton

Angelton what do you think will happen in the wider community if schools are shut? That means everything will be shut..... including all the things that you "care" about. So schools close in January and everything else does too. Fair enough. I don’t want to go out and about in January anyway, I’m usually broke and on a diet. But I’m not going to restrict my Christmas mixing in order for schools and things to be open in January when I don’t want or need them.

Oh @Angelton that's a rather embarrassing perspective to have. Maybe that's why the numbers are raging high, views such as this......

I hope you have a lovely Christmas.

I never thought I’d say this but education is a lifelong thing, but time with loved ones isn’t. I’d fight for people to spend time together-more has been lost emotionally and socially for children than academically over the last 2 years

I think thats a simplification. Kids missing 6 months of interacting and playing with classmate was a very big deal emotionally/mentally for many children in 2020, particularly those without similar aged siblings or playmates nearby. The interacting/emotional development part of school is probably more important than the "academic education" part for young children.

No, YABU. Kids are important but they are only one part of society and not the only people who matter.

@Overthebow

I'm thinking of younger children too - nurseries, health visitors etc . I think all children should take priority over piss ups at Christmas parties We need to do what it takes to prioritise schools/NHS etc.

I agree that education should be priortised. However, I don't think Boris will. He knows that people will still do what they want over Christmas (especially after all the party news).

The thing is - the government can control school closures easily - it's within their power. It's not so easy to control the behaviour of the masses who will do what they want, especially after seeing the tories do what they want throughout.

Also - I fear that a 2 - 3 week circuit lockdown won't do anything, other than extend the lockdown for many more weeks/potential months.

[quote Willyoujustbequiet]@Overthebow

I'm thinking of younger children too - nurseries, health visitors etc . I think all children should take priority over piss ups at Christmas parties We need to do what it takes to prioritise schools/NHS etc.[/quote]
But it's not as simple as that. Not having Christmas parties is one thing, stopping people seeing their families is another. I only have elderly family (80+) and I intend to see them at Christmas whatever the government decide (if they want to obviously!). This year could be their last Christmas and I'm not going to look back and wish I'd spent time with them.

For kids to be healthy they need to be educated and in school (for the majority).
Low level neglect and abuse may be mitigated by being in school. There is little benefit in children being fairly sedentary at home, learning on a computer or on an iPad at home.
Kids needs fresh air, exercise and mental stimulation.
We need to take care of the elderly and vulnerable, but not at the expense of kids. People need to take responsibility for themselves if they want to risk having a family Christmas and it’s potential risks.

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

Nope. I don’t see why I should miss Xmas so someone else’s kids can go to school. The majority of people don’t have kids at school so quite reasonably don’t give a shit.

I’m sorry I think this is a shitty attitude

It’s not “some people’s kids”, like they’re accessories to actual people or they’re pets. It’s “some people”. Some people are still kids and need the same chances that you had.

Couldn't agree more. I can't understand why some people are so uncaring and even spiteful towards the our children, the most vulnerable people in our society, and our only hope for a decent future.

Yes
Keep them open

And find the 100k who are missing so we don't read another horrific story about child deaths

Always felt that decent human beings prioritise children in our society generally.
Lots of selfish adults on mumsnet today. I wonder why they don’t find another site!

Most people on this thread are being selfish. Those advocating for "prioritise the children" are doing so because they're really talking about their own children. Those talking about wanting to prioritise their own families are doing the exact same thing.

I couldn't care less if schools are open just get on and teach them yourself at home

Always felt that decent human beings prioritise children in our society generally.

I think decent human beings also prioritise the lives of the elderly/immunosuppressive. And the well-being of health care workers who have being experiencing burn-out for a long time already, and that’s before the inevitable next wave.

you can have both

kids are still off for christmas....schools are closed anyway!!

Yes, agree wholeheartedly.

The damage done to children’s education, social skills and mental health from not being at school is appalling. I think we’re starting to see it now, particularly in teens.

aren't schools more likely to close if its the teaching staff off.....sick,got covid,burned out, no supply staff

so effectively people want the TEACHING STAFF to not mix, and to curtail their christmas so kids can go back in January ?

@xxxGirlCrushxxx

aren't schools more likely to close if its the teaching staff off.....sick,got covid,burned out, no supply staff

so effectively people want the TEACHING STAFF to not mix, and to curtail their christmas so kids can go back in January ?

Yes, and not have any summer holiday too by the sounds of it.

How about keep schools open and don’t impose more restrictions as per previous pandemic plan. There is very little evidence restrictions lead to lower death rates and closing schools is hugely detrimental to children on so many levels. We’ve just got to keep on going through this one, we can’t let this destroy our society anymore. It will be okay. Will be working for NHS over the hols and I still think this, the backlog is terrible we can’t do that again. Crack on.

There is terrible sickness in my team and it’s not been Covid related. It’s burn out related to the stress of the last few years, stress not mostly related to direct effects of Covid but to pandemic measures and constantly having to change the way we work. Non covid deaths have been increased for months. We have a vaccine and some therapies. We have to just crack on now, if we keep going with this destructive lock down cycle the NHS and other services really are going to collapse.

Save Christmas and schools in January drop isolation for positive cases. Omicron has gone exactly what I expected in 2020 we are all going to get this the only thing that's different between omicron and wild type we have no way of stopping it happening rapidly so we might as well accept that and move on.

Most people on this thread are being selfish. Those advocating for "prioritise the children" are doing so because they're really talking about their own children. Those talking about wanting to prioritise their own families are doing the exact same thing.

Most humans are selfish. It makes a change to see people being honest and admitting they're thinking of themselves.

All those threads with people stating they had the vaccine for the greater good and because they care so much about others, telling unvaccinated people to stop being selfish, that everyone is doing it to look out for each other,.... nope. This thread is much more representative of humans.

I want schools for my child, my child struggled. Why should I.....? My, me , I.
Or
I want Xmas more because I don’t have kids, I need this, I want that. Why should I....? My, me, I.

@Hotcoffee10

How about keep schools open and don’t impose more restrictions as per previous pandemic plan. There is very little evidence restrictions lead to lower death rates and closing schools is hugely detrimental to children on so many levels. We’ve just got to keep on going through this one, we can’t let this destroy our society anymore. It will be okay. Will be working for NHS over the hols and I still think this, the backlog is terrible we can’t do that again. Crack on.

Agree with this.

@User5329806

I couldn't care less if schools are open just get on and teach them yourself at home

What a ridiculous thing to say, my DD is in welsh medium playgroup/nursery (we are a non Welsh speaking family) and has an atypical speech and language disorder as result of the first lockdown. To suggest that I could do the job of her teacher, the outreach ALN teacher or her level 5 childcare leader is ludicrous and insulting to those members of staff, their training and experience.

Seeing close friends and family over Christmas isn’t an optional extra it’s really important for mental and physical health. It’s wrong the government should try and make people feel this is dangerous. Large gatherings of people you don’t know very well are best avoided right now but getting together with close people who you love should never be restricted by the government again. What are we here for after all? Loneliness is incredibly detrimental to mental and physical health and makes people more vulnerable to many illnesses including respiratory infections.