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Original poster

Petition to close schools

193 replies

mac12 · 06/03/2020 17:40

Controversial topic, I know, but there's a petition here for those who think schools should close.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/300403

OP posts:
Selfsettling3 · 06/03/2020 19:44

But shutting down for three weeks won’t do anything as the virus will just be brought back into the UK when the 3 weeks are up.

Gadgnkk · 06/03/2020 19:46

I've signed it.

Anotheruser02 · 06/03/2020 19:50

Didn't it start here after the half term when people started coming back from their travels? If my child was away from school in the next few weeks i'd be highly likely to take the opportunity for a cheap term time holiday knowing I won't get fined.

Devlesko · 06/03/2020 19:50

Gadgnkk

I totally agree, but people think us weird Grin

ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords · 06/03/2020 19:52

I want them to consider removing the fines for absence temporarily, so that those parents who can take their dc out of schools do so. This would benefit everyone.

Less pressure on schools and less likely it will spread to those parents who can't take their dc out.

So you are suggesting that parents who want to, should be allowed to take their children out of school , for an indefinite period, without penalty?
As long as they don't expect the teaching staff who would be continuing to educate the children in school to have to provide work to do at home or offer catch up lessons on their eventual return.

littlemissmuffins · 06/03/2020 19:55

I take my Children's education very seriously, as I don't want them to be stuck in the minimum wage trap I am in. I even give them extra homework, tutors when I can afford and their attendance is excellent.

However.. I do support the idea for as many people as possibly can keeping their Kids off til this stabilises, and school closures with suspected or confirmed cases. I have Family support for Childcare, but I appreciate many don't. If it gets much worse I'd support complete school closures.
Just as the WHO said today to governments - "This is not a drill"

Also, older Children can always go to college in the next few years to re do anything they did not pass. Many people I know didn't do so brilliantly in school but went to college to make up their exams late teens and are doing brilliantly in well paid jobs they enjoy.

And what about internet school, that could be adapted if education boards had the wherewithal.

I think that people need to start coming to the realisation mentally that this is not a 'normal' situation. An epidemic on even anywhere near this scale or reach hasn't happened in any of our lifetimes. We need to all stop expecting that life can just go on as normal. Hard to let go of, but true nonetheless I think.

And what about

Nicepud · 06/03/2020 19:57

ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords yes that is what I am suggesting.

Allowing those parents who can take dc out of school to do so would relieve pressure on services and help to slow the spread of the virus.

The remaining dc would then not be shoved into doubled up classrooms. How much education do you think will be going on when that happens? School will just become a glorified daycare centre. It will take longer for that to happen if thise who can are allowed to remove their dc for a few weeks/months.

Babytigerrr · 06/03/2020 19:58

Wow. I actually think this is incredibly selfish.

ReceptionTA · 06/03/2020 20:02

I won't be signing. Even though I'd flip in love a few extra weeks off Grin

It would make more sense to close towns so people don't go in and out and spread the virus. As far as I know, no one in my town has corona virus and closing schools would achieve little atm, apart from causing childcare problems and exposing grandparents to the germs of the young (what ever those germs are)

idontlike789 · 06/03/2020 20:04

I totally agree, but people think us weird

Those who say I've signed please explain why and how this would work .
Just saying you've signed with no explanation is that people will think your weird because working parents can't just stay home we have to work .

Sirzy · 06/03/2020 20:06

How would closing towns work? Without people being able to get in to make deliveries shelves would soon be pretty empty!

TheFairyCaravan · 06/03/2020 20:08

The world has gone completely mad.

How can you possibly share childcare with other parents if you want the schools closed? The whole point of closure would be to stop the children mixing with each other. If they're all going to be round each other's houses they might as well be at school.

People need to get a grip. There's actual experts telling the Government what to do. Maybe start listening to them instead of Susan at No 24's aunt's budgie?

ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords · 06/03/2020 20:08

The remaining dc would then not be shoved into doubled up classrooms. How much education do you think will be going on when that happens? School will just become a glorified daycare centre. It will take longer for that to happen if thise who can are allowed to remove their dc for a few weeks/months.

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean about children being shoved into doubled up classrooms. Please can you explain.

PickAChew · 06/03/2020 20:11

OK, so we close everything for 3 weeks, now, then after 3 weeks, someone brings it into the country all over again....

PickAChew · 06/03/2020 20:13

Lots of people don't work in the town they live in.

LargeGinOnTap · 06/03/2020 20:14

GrinHmm most bonkers thing ever

Nicepud · 06/03/2020 20:16

ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords because the current government plans mean than when (not if) teachers become sick, they will move the dc out of their classroom and into whatever rooms there are teachers are left.

This is why they explained they were going to have to relax some health and safety rules. There will be no maximum class size.

And there is no point burying our heads in the sand. I am not panicking, but it is pretty clear to anyone paying attention that we are in for a rough ride. Teachers will get sick. Doctors and nurses will get sick.

When the WHO say 40% of cases will be 'moderate' they simply mean 'will probably survive without medical intervention'. Those people will still feel deathly ill and will not be able to function.

The longer we stave that off the better. Allowing parents who can to remove their dc now will help everyone.

TheFairyCaravan · 06/03/2020 20:18

I don't live in a town. I live in a tiny village in the arse end of nowhere. We have a tiny shop and a one pump fuel station. We have no doctor or chemist but a huge elderly population. DH works 50 miles away. What would we, and the rest of the rural population, do if they closed the towns?

Babytigerrr · 06/03/2020 20:18

@nicepud

You cant be certain that teachers WILL get it. Ridiculous.

MrsTerryPratchett · 06/03/2020 20:19

How would closing towns work? Without people being able to get in to make deliveries shelves would soon be pretty empty!

People starved during the bubonic plague so I suppose we could try that.

Why oh why do people think their 'reckons' are better than expert's opinions?

Flixsfoilball · 06/03/2020 20:22

Ffs, how bloody ridiculous. Yes, close schools then you have to close businesses because none of the parents can go to work, they get no money (because how long do you think businesses will pay people that aren't working? And working from home with younger kids is a nightmare so that isn't necessarily the answer either), so the economy gets damaged....we should close schools if we absolutely need to, not because of some hysterical parents

Namelesswonder · 06/03/2020 20:26

Bloody stupid idea at this time. I wish everyone would get a grip! Close schools = parents can’t work = limited numbers of healthcare workers, shop workers, delivery drivers, plumbers, electricians, people to keep the national grid running, policemen, honestly do I need to go on!

ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords · 06/03/2020 20:27

Nicepud
So after those like you have removed your children, how long do you reckon my Y6 colleagues and I have left to make sure the remaining children are ready for secondary school (won't worry about SATs), before the majority of us catch it and the rest of the Y6 team have to give up teaching and become babysitters?

StealthPolarBear · 06/03/2020 20:30

Someone else may have made this point but can children sign this thing?

idontlike789 · 06/03/2020 20:37

I don't think they ask for your age just a email address and that your a british citizen so yes I think children can sign well probably teens High school age would .