Time to think about closing the schools

[DolphinFC]

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.

The article refers to figures from the Ons relating to a v short period of time (just 2 weeks) but I can't see that it provides a link to the actual data, as I would want to see that instead of simply relying on tes' interpretation of it.

This generation deserves an education same as any other. It is not time to shut the schools.

Coronavirus is very infectious. Most people will have already had it. They will probably get it again and those who have not yet had it will get it. We are now vaccinated. We cannot shut the schools down again. Even if every teacher gets it they should not be off more than once a year with it. The schools can still run.

Please don’t close schools. Make them safer. I care about our teaching staff and we had a huge covid outbreak and they managed to staff the school.

Many schools have vulnerable children attend and they’re safer and happier in school.

Please keep them open. Our PTA funded some air filtering devices to help keep the staff and kids safer.

No we shouldn't. What should we close down next - hospitals? Vaccination Centres?

If you had been arguing that the increased likelihood of teachers catching COVID meant that we set up a few vaccination centres in schools over the holidays to prioritise all teachers getting their booster jabs before they go back next term I'd agree with you.

@manysummersago

make them safer

You can’t.

What’s the point of having co2 monitors then ? When they are red why is that down to the school to purchase air cleaning equipment. From their budget that’s none existent having to pay all the supply staff because they have ridiculously unventilated classrooms. It’s catch 22. That’s one way of making them safer off the top of my head.

Is that including workers like DH who doesn't go into the office at all, workers who work outside, workers who go in one day a week, couriers who drive round alone and never spend more than a few seconds with others? Or is it comparing more like for like roles? Nursery staff, for example, or lecturers?

@DolphinFCWaxonwaxoff0
Term is about to end anyway

DD doesn’t break up till Wednesday 22 December

So four school days. Less than a week. Surely that counts as about to end

@NearlyAlwaysInsane

Tosh. So they're more likely to catch Covid than healthcare workers then? Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Healthcare workers can wear masks and so must the public they come into contact with. Many users of healthcare vaccinated. No primary school kids vaccinated or wearing masks.

No. Does that clear it up?

It’s also the rule about isolating for 10 days that’s hammering schools.
If you run out of appropriate physical bodies to put in front of a class, what are the options?

We have CO2 monitors, and a lot of Covid.

We also have masks and Covid. And we have open windows and Covid.

It’s just impossible.

Why if it’s so important to keep schools open are people not demanding more support for them. I just don’t get it
They should be a priority and everything that’s possible should be done to keep them open.

No staff = closed schools.

Term isn't about to end for everyone. Lots of us have children in next week. I've just read there's yet another outbreak at our primary. If we get to see any family over the holiday I'll be very surprised.

@Cherryblossoms85

No. Does that clear it up?

No it doesn't. Hth

No.

No.

(It's a complete sentence.)

Well I suppose I’m thinking of the “doubling every two days” thing when I say DD has got go make it till next Weds before she breaks up. What could possibly go wrong?

We shouldn’t even be considering closing them. It shouldn’t be an option. We should keep them open for all children that are well enough to come in. It could be argued that it was different when we were waiting for a vaccine, but we have the vaccine now so how can we justify school closures?

Every single child is currently behind where they should be.

@Popcornriver

Term isn't about to end for everyone. Lots of us have children in next week. I've just read there's yet another outbreak at our primary. If we get to see any family over the holiday I'll be very surprised.

Yes, it's still about to end though if there's only 3 or 4 days left!

No here too

TBF though she did have to work from home today as there were so many teachers off isolating they couldn’t cover the timetable so each year group has taken it in turns to have a day WFH this week. So that’s good.

It's crazy to think they are going on until the middle of next week with the cases doubling every couple of days. All schools should finish tomorrow really. I was double masked in my lessons today (horrible to teach in but I use a headset to help with communication) and I had coughing pupils, pupils with positive family members left, right and centre. It's a waiting game now.

NO but also, we are half a day away from the end of term round here! So they're closing anyway.