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Original poster

Time to think about closing the schools

545 replies

DolphinFC · 16/12/2021 16:44

ONS survey finds that education staff are 37% more likely to catch Covid than other workers.

Previous data showed they were no more likely to catch covid than other workers and many people (especially MNetters) felt that this was all the proof needed to keep schools open.

Well, new data shows the reverse is now the case.

Time to think about closing the schools
OP posts:
AchillesLastStand · 17/12/2021 08:21

@Chessie678

I’m not sure pre-omicron stats about teachers catching covid are that relevant anymore. If we’re going to have millions of cases per day everyone except hermits will catch it.

And anyone who values teachers won’t think they’re replaceable with a distracted untrained parent trying to homeschool. If I ever have to homeschool my DS I’ll do my best but I don’t think it would be a good substitute for going to school with trained teachers, particularly if I was trying to work full time while doing it.

Exactly this. No one is going to escape getting omicron and the mitigations in schools teachers are calling for are not going to stop it.

My DS has SEN. Can I replace his wonderful teacher whilst trying to work myself, no I can’t.

Piggyinblankets · 17/12/2021 08:43

No one is going to escape getting omicron

This seems to be going round and round on MN. Yes they will.

And even if they don't, presumably we don't want some kind of state of emergency while everyone has it at the same time.

Presumably we also haven't given up on sensible and fairly basic health and safety in the workplace precautions for school staff in some kind of mass fatalistic shoulder shrug?

LittleBabyCheeses · 17/12/2021 08:47

Well based on the government’s projected numbers the whole population will have had it by the end of the year, so it’ll all be over with by Jan 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Piggyinblankets · 17/12/2021 08:50

Right yeah.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 17/12/2021 08:52

No

TheRainbow · 17/12/2021 09:25

@NearlyAlwaysInsane

Tosh. So they're more likely to catch Covid than healthcare workers then? Hmmmmmmmmmm.
I don't know about the statistics and I really feel for and am thankful for all NHS staff. I'm also NOT saying schools should close. However, being surrounded by many coughs and sneezes in very close range, (no social distancing, understandably, and many of the children not tested at all but still come to school with symptoms) and no PPA (can't wear a mask in primary), then yes, school staff are at very high risk of catching covid. And despite this, school staff keep going and are doing the very best they can, for the children because that's why they are there, despite being in 'unsafe' working conditions that are definitely not covid safe. At least this can be acknowledged.
TheRainbow · 17/12/2021 09:37

@BustopherPonsonbyJones

What we all need to remember is that the government doesn’t care that your child has mental health issues caused by school closures, or that you can’t supervise your child and do your own work, or that teachers are more at risk of catching Covid than other professions. All they care about is the economy and protecting the NHS. If they are contemplating damaging the economy by closing schools, it will mean it is the only way to stop the NHS going under. Whether you admit it or not, children spread Covid throughout the community and community transmission leads to higher hospitalisation. Similarly all the crap with ‘key worker’ children being taught in schools will come to an end if 90% of children are in and rates keep going up. It’s very easy to say spaces are for frontline NHS parents only if they feel school closures haven’t stopped transmission.

We all feel badly treated. What’s difficult is accepting no one cares.

Yep.
Piggywaspushed · 17/12/2021 09:39

I have posted the data several times...

Awalkintime · 17/12/2021 14:51

@LittleBabyCheeses

Well based on the government’s projected numbers the whole population will have had it by the end of the year, so it’ll all be over with by Jan 🤷🏻‍♀️.
They'll just get it again!
LovelyMondayMornings · 17/12/2021 15:00

I agree with statement with primary and nursery anyway... In a room of up to 33 unmasked, unvaccinated people all day. I caught covid in my class despite double vaccinated and was very unwell... However, we cannot go back to online learning it was horrific for everyone. It sends chills through staff if anyone mentions it.

What do you suggest then? That they go uneducated? For how long?

HauntedPencil · 17/12/2021 16:45

@BustopherPonsonbyJones

What we all need to remember is that the government doesn’t care that your child has mental health issues caused by school closures, or that you can’t supervise your child and do your own work, or that teachers are more at risk of catching Covid than other professions. All they care about is the economy and protecting the NHS. If they are contemplating damaging the economy by closing schools, it will mean it is the only way to stop the NHS going under. Whether you admit it or not, children spread Covid throughout the community and community transmission leads to higher hospitalisation. Similarly all the crap with ‘key worker’ children being taught in schools will come to an end if 90% of children are in and rates keep going up. It’s very easy to say spaces are for frontline NHS parents only if they feel school closures haven’t stopped transmission.

We all feel badly treated. What’s difficult is accepting no one cares.

Yes this is a fair summary. If they shut because they have to - we will be in a bad place alright. Let's just hope not.
Starcup · 17/12/2021 16:57

You can tell the folk that haven’t got school ages children on here….

Jenster03 · 17/12/2021 17:36

I think whether teachers get it or not is irrelevant.
Fact is this variant is very very contagious, and if you let it run rampant through schools the NHS will be completely overrun. It isn't children I'm talking about either, it's parents and grandparents.
Closing schools will be a prevention measure of they do it. To allow things to calm down.

It all comes down to do we save the NHS, or do we save the economy by allowing people to go to work and keep kids at school?
I don't think anyone wins in either.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 17/12/2021 18:50

I think whether teachers get it or not is irrelevant

I don’t. I took early retirement due to Covid. All the teachers l know are desperate to get out due to Covid. So it’s actually VERY relevant.

Omicrone · 17/12/2021 19:40

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

I think whether teachers get it or not is irrelevant

I don’t. I took early retirement due to Covid. All the teachers l know are desperate to get out due to Covid. So it’s actually VERY relevant.

Why are they desperate to get out due to Covid? Do you mean because they are worried about getting it, or because of the knock on effects it has had eg. Online learning etc?
TallulahsCurse · 17/12/2021 19:42

Don't be bloody ridiculous schools need to stay open. They cannot reasonably be shut again, children of all ages cannot be made to lose proper education again. Ever again.
From an send teacher who has worked in school every single day of the whole pandemic.

TallulahsCurse · 17/12/2021 19:44

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

I think whether teachers get it or not is irrelevant

I don’t. I took early retirement due to Covid. All the teachers l know are desperate to get out due to Covid. So it’s actually VERY relevant.

I know no colleagues who would want to leave because of covid.
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 17/12/2021 19:46

Omicrone all of it.

Public perception
Useless government and education secretaries
Covid.
Ridiculous workload before Covid increasing to unmanageable during Covid
Freezing rooms
Ofsted and the fact they can suspend inspections due to Covid, but staff can’t. Oh and the fact that they make no allowance for Covid during inspections.

Everyone likes the kids. But they’ve all had enough. No one wants to stay.

TallulahsCurse · 17/12/2021 19:48

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

Omicrone all of it.

Public perception
Useless government and education secretaries
Covid.
Ridiculous workload before Covid increasing to unmanageable during Covid
Freezing rooms
Ofsted and the fact they can suspend inspections due to Covid, but staff can’t. Oh and the fact that they make no allowance for Covid during inspections.

Everyone likes the kids. But they’ve all had enough. No one wants to stay.

Ok so that's your experience. "No one wants to stay" isn't correct. People you know don't, not everyone is as bothered by it as you are.
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 17/12/2021 19:52

But plenty are too!

TallulahsCurse · 17/12/2021 19:59

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

But plenty are too!
Ok well done what do you want ?

You do not represent all teachers.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 17/12/2021 20:06

And you do?

TallulahsCurse · 17/12/2021 20:17

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

And you do?
Yeah I do actually, I speak for literally every teacher in the UK. Yourself included. Didn't you know?

No, of course I don't, but I'm not the one who is saying all have had enough no one wants to stay. That's you making the generalisations.

Awalkintime · 17/12/2021 21:47

I'm on a group with 45k teachers and every single one on that group want out. All my teacher friends want out. It is a high % who want to leave and lots have been tipped over the edge this year by their experiences.

LittleBabyCheeses · 17/12/2021 22:32

@Awalkintime

I'm on a group with 45k teachers and every single one on that group want out. All my teacher friends want out. It is a high % who want to leave and lots have been tipped over the edge this year by their experiences.
Every single one? That’s awful Sad. I have a few teacher friends (and family members) and I don’t know any who want to leave just yet.