Schools Set To Reopen On 4Th Jan

[tiggerblue10]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/schools-reopen-michael-gove-coronavirus-b1779458.html

Given that new cases have now reached over 40k do you think this is a wise move?

I'm worried tbh, but if they do reopen I don't think I'll have a choice but to send son to school.

[Old_Geezer]

I think that a more local/regional management of cases would be wisest. Where the Nightingales are getting full, put things, including schools, on hold. Use distance learning where possible for a duration. Elsewhere carry on as normal and allow the vulnerable to make their own decisions.

[naomi24]

Don't worry. The kids will all be back at school by the time they're about 45.

[emmie]

what about all the parents trying to juggle their worklife, must be hard for them.

[emmie]

my mate has kids of 11 and 8 and don't know what they will be doing, but she has a full time job as does her husband, how are they supposed to manage of their children stay at home,

[maggiebee]

Scottish schools go back on the 11th January, but I believe that for secondary pupils there will be a week of "home schooling" so they won't actually go back until the 18th.

[TonyV]

If employer is understanding maybe able to work from home. Our IT department were able to provide a home link for me.

[sherrardk]

I think an announcement will be made tomorrow when the tiers are reviewed, with most pupils told to stay at home (which will last until half term). I understand it’s difficult for working parents but school is not child care.

[emmie]

for many thats just not possible - brother was on furlough for two weeks but he is due back work on 4th Jan - his wife teaches not sure what they are supposed to do.

[sherrardk]

I expect she is classed as a key worker and their child will be able to attend school as they did in the last lockdown.

[Old_Geezer]

Any parent would need to explain the situation to their employer. Either they found a job where the possible need to not come in, in exceptional circumstances, was acknowledged, or they applied for and accepted the wrong job. Parenting is supposed to be a full time job anyway.

[emmie]

haven't spoken to them about it, just know that millions with kids are going to have a problem with juggling work and looking after their children - homeschooling them somehow.

[bobbinwales]

This thread shows theres no easy answers to this. Answers range from "its a wise move" to "its madness"
During the first lockdown when schools were shut schoolkids were mainly in the home or at least mixing only in small groups whereas at school there bubbled with a whole year and secondary kids mingle with several dozen kids each day at school, in corridors, at break, on the bus, in shops. Then they pass it onto friends and family.
So overall schools should close IMO for a few weeks as part of a major UK wide lockdown similar to the April one. If all the high streets and shopping malls is shut to that will help.
Agreed its a pain for working parent's if kids are off but in the long run it will get this thing to manageable levels much more quickly, a short sharp shock to end January coupled with mass testing & mass vaccinnations .

[emmie]

this virus is out of control, and its not going to be under control for a very long time, do we close everything down, schools included,
if so for how long

[emmie]

parenting is a full time job but so is work for many , you can;t just dump work whenever the government sees fit to close all the schools.There is no easy answer to this,

[emmie]

NJ is right, kids once out of school are usually not at home but mixing, mingling with other kids, going shopping, visiting the local shopping centre, and more, how do you stop that.

[dannyk13]

1.500 troops are to be deployed for test and trace to be carried out in schools.

[tiggerblue10]

I've been WFH since mid March and home-schooling as well until the summer hols. I'm very lucky that I was able to do this despite it being a struggle at first.

When the school reopened in September most of the parents just flocked together at the gates at closing time and social distancing went out the window. I stayed back until it cleared a bit but with the new variant I feel it's more of a risk.

[Old_Geezer]

One has to, or resign and have the family live on a smaller budget.

[emmie]

OG, family have financial committments, a large mortgage for one and they like many need both partners working, my sil had managed to juggle home schooling before, so perhaps can do so again, but for many that;s just not possible

[emmie]

its all a risk tigger, i went out earlier and people were just going about their daily lives, food shopping for one thing, cheek by jowl, can't be helped, some have got to go to work, cheek by jowl on public transport. Don't know what the answer is, wish i did, i am in today, but have to go out to get to the chemist tomorrow, luckily they weren;t busy