Covid-19

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viggy
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by viggy »

https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhas ... 9bbd8419fd

New evidence suggesting children spread covid more than adults. What a fucking week...

Thu: science says opening schools is safe, off you pop
Fri: whoops, cases are increasing again in Scotland
Sat: ooh, new science, kids are germ crop sprayers

Somewhere someone has decided that part time, socially distanced schooling is more disruptive to the economy than the constant cycle of start/stop/spike in cases all go home/come back for a bit/off again cos Johnny has a cough etc etc. that we're all heading for.
Topcat
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by Topcat »

It's fucking madness.
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Marth
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by Marth »

It is all fucking mad. Amid no announcements to support child care to reopen safely. (Unless I missed it).
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FiveO'Clock
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by FiveO'Clock »

I don't know what the situation is in the UK with substitute teachers, but it's hard to find enough here (US) under normal circumstances, so what's going to happen when the teachers are sick and off work for weeks at a time? I can see no way to have children and staff inside a building together without everyone becoming affected, unless of course, they have an air system that brings in fresh air from outdoors. The idea that opening and shutting schools is going to be an effective way to educate children is ridiculous. Remote learning is not ideal by a long shot, but nothing is ideal right now.

And then there are worries like this. https://www.winknews.com/2020/07/17/hea ... 9-on-kids/
olive
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by olive »

I don’t think schools are any safer but kids need educating more than people need to drink.

A local summer camp here had an outbreak and 260 attendees, mostly children and teens, tested positive. In fairness it didn’t look as though they followed proper protocols like masks for the children (only staff, and incidentally it was a camp counsellor who was the super spreader) and keeping doors and windows open.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.ajc. ... utType=amp

Apparently, it’s likely to be more as around 20% weren’t tested.

My county have backtracked on remote learning for the first semester and have planned a phased reopening after Labor Day (1st week Sept) despite all of this.

I think we’ll end up closing again before Christmas. :ruby:

Even though we’re still averaging just under 4,000 cases daily we’re debating sending the boys back to school. Masks are mandatory, they’ll be in a pod of 12, all spaced out with every other lesson outside. Plus the school have put in a new AC/ heating system that circulates air from outside that Five mentions.
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Ruby
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by Ruby »

Schools do have mitigation in place and it's likely to be better - more universally - enforced than in pubs. My main fear with it is that parents won't send their kids in but will still expect me to set work, which is nowhere near as easy as people seem to think. Teachers will definitely catch Covid too, and we are more vulnerable than the kids. I am sort of fine with that tbh. It's my job and I really think kids need to be back. But at the moment we are being told that neither us nor the children should wear masks in school.
Topcat
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by Topcat »

For the record, I'm not suggesting that pubs should be open, not at all.
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Luce
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by Luce »

You don't want to know what I'd make the country give up in order for schools to open :lol:

But yeah, it's the whole risk/benefit thing. I'd happily volunteer at school to help it get going/stay going but I don't know if that's an option or even helpful.

I also felt safer when school was open because it meant we all had quicker access to tests and things were quicker to shut down. To me, schools are as important as hospitals and we wouldn't think of not opening hospitals because that would be mental.

Pubs are only open for the economy, I can see no upside to them being open other than that. Which is why I'm still spitting that I can go to a pub but not a gym - something that has huge mental and physical benefits.
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Little My
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by Little My »

The summer camp thing is horrifying to read, weeks before schools reopen.

We have been told all elementary schools will open full time in Sept, with normal class sizes (I'm horrified by this) but mandatory masks for ages 8+ at least. We have the option of learning from home if we choose, but if you want to switch back to in-class you basically have to go on a waiting list until there is space. I think the government are hoping that lots of parents choose to keep kids home so that they have at least some chance of socially distancing.

We're in the good position of having no younger kids at our school, so everyone will wear masks. We will opt out of school busing and do the (long) school run ourselves. But even so, I'm still torn.
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FiveO'Clock
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by FiveO'Clock »

My husband is a science teacher and would much prefer to teach in person than try to do it remotely. I would like to not be put at a massively increased risk for an experiment that just won't work.I would feel much differently about it if our schools had the AC/heating system that Olive's school does, but that's not happening and extensive Covid spread is inevitable. Cases are increasing here, so my point of view is definitely altered by that fact. Also, we found out that my uncle died of the virus in Florida. He had an underlying condition, but we were all shocked at his death because he had recently been told he had a good five years ahead of him. They are not classifying all Covid deaths accurately and it just adds to the misinformation.
The children in my family will all learn remotely even though 3 of the 4 parents are essential workers and working longer hours than before Covid.
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Ruby
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by Ruby »

I understand that, Five. I am not worried for myself but Partner has type 2 diabetes and I am currently bubbling with my dad - if the kids and I are in school then it will put them at risk.

The idea of a new AC system seems amazing - we have just been told to keep the windows open. :mog: And, yes, normal class sizes.
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Princess Morripov
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by Princess Morripov »

It just all feels so helpless again to be honest.

I think that drunk people definitely cannot social distance so if anything is for the chop first I do think pubs is a sensible choice over schools/nurseries. Also we don’t need pubs but children do need education. I know I’m just simplifying it as obviously there’s a huge impact to those businesses and there are a lot of businesses doing things properly, but there are a lot that aren’t that are ruining it for people. A pub near me has set up outside drinking and everyone is just swarming there and getting wommered every night 🤷🏼‍♀️ Perhaps it would work slightly better if they were only allowed to serve drinks with food? And there was a maximum table time?

Aside from the education factor, it’s the socialisation for children and the effect that has on them too, I feel in the main adults are a little bit more equipped to deal with this, or at least even though it’s shit we understand why things are they way they are.
kiwi
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by kiwi »

One of our local pubs put a message on Facebook this morning essentially pleading with customers to follow the guidelines. But y'know, alcohol and common sense don't go together. My little niece already knows the rules about going back to school, that she will be in a bubble and not allowed to mix with other kids etc. She knows it will be weird but she will also follow the rules to the letter. For me it's a no brainer of who should 'win' in pub v school.
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FiveO'Clock
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by FiveO'Clock »

Is it one or the other there?
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Texaco Shirley
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by Texaco Shirley »

Our village pub said today that if they have to close again it will be the end of them. Obv I prioritise education over drinking but it is going to be hard on a lot of people.
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Pippedydeadeye
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by Pippedydeadeye »

The media seems to have been suggesting it’s a straight choice.
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Little My
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by Little My »

It just stands to reason, if you highly value kids going back to school then other things can (should?) be sacrificed to reduce cases.

But people are not reasonable with other things, even though they are adamant their kids must return to schools. Local beaches here had to be temporarily closed again because people weren't staying apart. That's not just young people after a drink or two, that's families ignoring the rules and basically shooting themselves in the foot.
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FiveO'Clock
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by FiveO'Clock »

Pippedydeadeye wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 3:50 pm The media seems to have been suggesting it’s a straight choice.
Well, that's a great way to drum up some conflict and resentment.
kiwi
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by kiwi »

If it comes to it I wonder if pubs that serve food would be allowed to stay open? No different to a restaurant surely.
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Chicky
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Re: Corona Virus

Post by Chicky »

I find it hard to believe that there is anything better for the economy than kids going back to schools. We should be prioritising making that as safe as possible. But of course we are not.
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