Unhappy about primary schools re opening

[Bitterglitter]

Is anyone else unhappy about primary schools being re opened as part of the lockdown easing measures?

I keep thinking about the kids who have underlying health conditions that aren't yet diagnosed.

My DS1 (5) was diagnosed with a benign heart murmur in feb this year. It was only picked up because he has a lot of follow up Paediatric appointments because he was premature. I don't even know if it's an issue as far as covid19 goes. But what about all the kids out there with undiagnosed asthma, diabetes etc?

Primary age kids can't and won't maintain social distance. And they will act as super spreaders too. Doesn't matter how well their parents maintain distance if all these kids are mixing it up in schools.

It just seems crazy when so many parents can continue working from home. Am I being hysterical?

[WanderingMilly]

I quite agree, I think schools should remain closed until September but I know they won't. There are children who are at risk, but most children don't get the virus badly. However, children ARE huge transmitters and younger children can't be kept apart easily, there will be children taking the virus home to vulnerable families who have so far kept clear, plus problems for adult staff in the school, who will also pick up the virus and take it areas or homes which have thus far been clear.

Sadly I think the schools may open 1st June or thereabouts (I have no special knowledge at all, just opinion), I sincerely hope that sending your child back before September should be optional for parents who are worried about this.

[andantino]

Obviously I've no idea if the Telegraph article has any basis in fact, but those saying that schools can't reopen 'now' - we're not talking about now, we're talking (theoretically) about a month's time. A lot can potentially change in a month, in terms of a drop in cases, an increase in testing, the launch of a tracing app etc.

[PalindromicUser]

I don’t know where you are but there are 10 school weeks left where I am until the summer holidays

This. I cannot both homeschool and work at home. I am on less than 50% productivity work wise because of the need to provide basic childcare. We are also managing very little homeschooling between DS6’ general reluctance without the structure of the classroom and DD3 constantly interrupting and making it difficult. In addition, during the school holidays I rely heavily on holiday clubs.

Both my employer and the school are very understanding but that will not continue forever. I am worn out and stressed out. It’s like a constant pressure cooker in our house, and we are very fortunate compared to many. I need to see an end to this for my mental health, for my job, for DS’ education and his own mental health.

[AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter]

I’m wondering if people haven’t previously known that homeschooling is an option

I dont know! But it seems like whatever you suggest it isnt good enough. This situation isnt ideal, noone wants it, noone asked for it and all of us are concerned. ALL of us. But at some point we are going to have to get back to some kind of "normal" life- we cant stay locked inside forever. Therefore, if you are adamant that you dont want to take the risk then you DO have the option of homeschooling. I know people will then say "but why should I have to do that?"- so send them back to school then! You cant have it both ways, you have to make a choice at some point or another. We are ALL in the shit here, its not a question of any of us being "lucky" its a question of us all having to make modifications to our lifestyles. If you dont want to do that, then send them back to school when they go back. Its not like there are a million others options at play here, you are just going to have to make a choice.

[Servers]

I quite agree, I think schools should remain closed until September but I know they won't

What will have changed by September?

[AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter]

I quite agree, I think schools should remain closed until September

Can I ask- whats so special and safe about September? the virus wont have gone by then, and if a second wave happens then it will be the absolute WORST possible time- right as winter flu season hits. Sept feels like a far riskier time to have a second wave

[Dontforgetyourbrolly]

I think the schools will open in sooner rather than later , and I will be happy to send ds for his own socialization and mental wellbeing.
However there should be no pressure on children with underlying health problems who are at risk of covid complications.

[ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords]

But what about all the kids out there with undiagnosed asthma, diabetes etc?

What makes you think there are lots of children with undiagnosed asthma or diabetes? Lots of people have mild asthma and they are not classed as vulnerable, and if a child has not even required treatment for asthma symptoms, they are not going to be high risk.

The percentage of children that have diabetes is very low anyway, so there are unlikely to be vast numbers that are undiagnosed, and even for those with diabetes, most are not in the shielding group.

[GrimmsFairytales]

I think schools should remain closed until September but I know they won't.

Can I ask why, and what will be different in September? Surely your main worries there will be children taking the virus home to vulnerable families will still be a concern even in Sepember.

[AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter]

If your asthma is so mild that you dont have any symptoms (hence being undiagnosed) then I dont see how you'd be at a massive risk?

[Kokeshi123]

What modgepodge said about social distancing not being all or nothing. Totally agree. I don't think we can stop the virus completely spreading at schools. We can slow its spread. It's up to parents to decide if they are comfortable with this. IF they are not, then they should have permission to keep their kids at home, homeschool and keep their school place without having to deregister or being fined.

[Dontforgetyourbrolly]

I'm not sure why people are bandying about " September " , I think you would literally have to very strictly isolate for years to actually eradicate a virus of any sort.

[AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter]

Ive seen it multiple times- people keep saying September but noone ever explains why- what is so magical about September? its right before winter when the NHS is extra stretched due to normal flu season anyway. Why Septmember???

[OutwardBound2016]

Would also like to know what will change between June and September?

[Greenpop21]

September isn’t magical, it’s just time, 4 months of time. We know more than we did in Jane and we’ll know more than we do now in September. It’s not like they’d be going back for long .

[Greenpop21]

January not Jane!

[AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter]

So Sept is about having more information? thats why?
Because the virus will still be here then and it'll be coming into flu season

[BurneyFanny]

Children seem not to be superspreaders: www.smh.com.au/world/europe/experts-fail-to-find-a-single-case-of-children-passing-virus-to-adults-20200430-p54ohi.html?fbclid=IwAR0moZBfoyL1ePnI4sjr-WexQBhZxbSt-l-_P0sMtv7rbKLh7tbWlO8I91s

[Greenpop21]

Yes I’m aware of that but none of us know what will happen by then. To me it doesn’t seem worth sending them back in stubs and drabs for one term.

[Greenpop21]

Dribs!

[Tjsmumma]

Boris has uet to announce anything, its all coming next week. The numbers have dropped significantly. If you can work from home do so? If not ask to be furloughed? Or quit work and home school? Im unsure really, but things need go eventually get back to a new normal.

[Bluntness100]

I cannot both homeschool and work at home

Thank you for your honesty, at least someone has said it. So many want to stay home for their own reasons, but don’t home school now and have very little desire, ability to do so, but aren’t admitting it, schools,not going back means they can continue to not do so in their heads.


And the thought that kids can’t go back in case they have undiagnosed asthma, that’s grasping, what about all the vulnerable kids, that need to go back to get away from their abusers, to be fed properly, and not stuck at home with some parent who spends their vouchers on fags, and either ignores them totally or screams at them because they can’t cope.

What bout these kids, do they have to stay like this because a child with no symptoms might have undiagnosed asthma?

What about the parents who can’t cope, struggling to work from home, and trying to teach children, even just care for them? Those kids at home with a struggling parent at the end of their tether, at risk of loosing their job? Are they supposed to just keep on too?

[Greenpop21]

Ireland has announced their phased relaxation and schools don’t feature until September.

[ballsdeep]

Theybwere talking on BBC about how teachers will need ppe to teach

[okiedokieme]

When they start to reopen, kids with underlying health problems can be kept at home. All national policy has to be what is right for the majority, if what is right for your family is different then continue to home school. Some children are at real risk by not going to school remember