Schools might not go back after the holiday - yippee!

[Chrysanthemums]

I just heard this on Sky news, which I don't normally watch but the dc's had it on somehow by mistake.

They said that in order to prevent it spreading further they might not open schools again in September. I wondered if this was being reported anywhere else and what people think about it.

I'm pleased as anything that makes it less likely people who are compromised or pregnant etc will catch it, is great.

I know most of us don't need to panic but those people are more at risk and therefore it merits a measure of effort to control it as far as possible, IMO.

Been suggested lower rate of spread in Scotland is because we have already been on fecking school holidays for 3 weeks so whilst I can see the logic, the overall impact would be disasterous and so think an unlikely policy decision. Unless of course things get much worse than they currently are.

presumably children and teachers who have already had it can go in?

Realistically how could that work if schools don't re-open? Who is going to look after the dc of working dp or are they going to have to take unpaid leave? And who guarantees their employers will approve it?

Would it really make a huge difference to close the schools for just a few weeks in autumn though, wouldn't they need to be closed right through winter too?

It is true though that they get a lot more bugs at nursery/school than if they're at home. As a SAHM, I'd seriously consider not sending them to school in autumn if I thought it practicable but how that should work for ALL children, including those who have no carer at home I really can't see.

They'd also have to find some solution for exam year dc who are missing some school time, later exams or something I suppose.

Well, I'm still hoping it is not going to be all that bad in the end. Getting a bit freaked today though

Really not convinced about this. The economy would take a hit, the health service would suffer with staff taking time off and I can't see it'd make a huge difference anyway.

Hope it's not true....

I can't see this happening except on a short term basis in hard hit areas.

I think a vaccine is going to be available by the end of August - but who it will be rolled out to at this point is anybody's guess.

I'm really sorry about my rather inappropriately jubilant title.

It looks like public services are going to be under stress whatever they do, but if this option might reduce the mortality rate as well then it seems like the least bad option iyswim.

It is easy for me - I don't work anyway so not a problem to arrange to be here. But for those who do, and people who are in the kind of work we need to continue - for example those who run power stations etc - I can see it'll be tricky. (understatement)

Teachers won't need to go in, at least.

I do hope not.

Day 1 of the holidays here and I'm already counting down the weeks/days/hours until term restarts.

It wouldn't just be tricky. The whole country would grind to a halt.

Yes but if the rate of infection isn't controlled somehow, it will anyway, and quicker. iyswim

I do hope not.

I start my new job the same day that the boys go back to school.

Plus I would go literally mental if I had to spend any extra time at home after the holiday

I haven't seen the news about this, but what are they suggesting? Leaving the schools shut? How long for? Surely as soon as they re-opened again we'd be back at square one, unless they are suggesting closing them for the whole winter season?

WHAT ROT!

We are WAY beyond closing schools as its out in the wider community.

HPA advice is to keep schools open if you have diagnosed swine flu cases.

God the media makes me ROOOOOAAAARRRRR!

That'll bugger the 11+ exams at the end of September. (decide for yourselves if thats a good or bad thing)

Can't imagine how this would work , but if it stops the spread I guess it has to be considered.

www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1247125501005

I wonder if the 'media' is blowing it out of all proportion from this DCSF guidance to schools

which says (amongst other things 'As the summer term is drawing to an end, it is important to ensure that everyone will be in a position to know what will happen at the start of the autumn term. We expect that schools and early-years and childcare settings will reopen as usual, but at this time, we cannot be certain what the situation will be then; we will need to monitor developments over the summer, and take decisions based on the best advice available shortly before the start of term.'

If this happens are they going to fast track background checks so other parents can share care of kids so perhaps everyone could work part time to keep the basics covered?

sweetfall, that HPA leaflet is good advice to explain what is happening now. But I suspect the issue is - as it has been all along since the pandemic planning process started - that the question of 'autumn' closures is twofold: 1. are there enough teachers in schools to cope when they're all off ill? and 2. has the virus changed at all to become more nasty (worse illness, secondary complications, mortality etc).

School closures are discussed in the literature that I have seen as major public health measure to slow down the spread of the virus. It could still happen in the above circs I imagine, but is not recommended right now because the virus has spread widely beyond schools.

So I think we're talking about two different scenarios here.

about a year ago I heard a radio programme on the 1918 flue epidemic. Interestingly in the first wave of of the flue the death rate in Manchester was significantly lower than the rest of the country. Reason why was the public health authoritiy closed all schools and venues were people gathered socially and there was less chance of spreading the virus.
The second wave of the flue coincided with new year and Manchester's death rate was the same as the rest of the country as people went out to party etc.
Although people may say what about my job, looking at the big picture if the flue mutates into somehting nastier a) tecahers and support staff will be ill and b) if it saves lifes there's no real argument.

that's very interesting mercedes and true that saving lives has to be more important than disruption to jobs and lives.

Well, we haven't had any cases so far in this city (AFAIK) and we have had a week of school holidays already!! (bloody 7 weeks and 2 days!!!!!!) I imagine that as soon as we all go back to school, there will be a big outbreak of it here.

I was contingency planning for school closure months ago. Pandemic planning is necessary for any school and is not merely for Swine Flu.

Of course planning needs to be in place.

But this? This is a media fiasco of taking standard practices and a new strain of influenza (a virus which kills people every year) and working them into a story that is interesting in its extremities.

once again ROAARRRRRR