I totally agree with this idea

People can do without a drink and, in fact, most pubs will survive.

How??

I'm not saying pubs should come before schools but they won't survive.

People won't 'do without a drink. They'll drink at home.'

Since 4 July DW and I have visited three pubs (one of them four times) - twice for just a drink and four times to eat a meal. Two were in the London suburb where we live, and one in a small country town. We have also had drinks in the bars of the two seaside hotels we have also stayed in.

Proper rules on distancing, etc. were observed in all of them, by both staff and customers. It would be a pity if a blanket shut down had to be imposed because of the behaviour of a few, though obviously the reopening of schools is a priority.

It could explain a lot.

We were supposed to be examining the meniscus. I suppose they wouldn't allow it these days.

My god Callistemon... The mind boggles. Kids are nuts.

I agree Bluebelle.
People can do without a drink and, in fact, most pubs will survive.

However, the education of our future generations is far more important.

Gagajo I can remember flicking mercury around in the science lab.
It was great fun.

Our children have missed out on so much since lockdown began they need to get back to school. If it means that pubs have to close for a while, then so be it, sadly many of them are probably heading in that direction anyway. There is no substitute for children being back in the classroom with their teachers and their peers.

Were

I was speechless lemongrove. So we're a lot of the girls in the class.

GagaJo

I once had a student run into my lesson boasting that in science he had licked the slide with salmonella on it.

That would probably be my DGS

Ha, ha! Here's another teacher who agrees with the above comments!

I think the point is that we can only take a certain amount of risk before Covid bites, so it is a question of weighing up one risk against another. Most people would say having the schools open is more important than having the pubs open although, like others, I feel very sorry for pub owners and their staff.

I don’t think it’s at all hard to work that one out suedonin Ive eaten out a few times and it’s well catered for tables aren’t close together some are outside some have been made into booths For ordering, people stand in a queue with space between It all feels very safe
I haven’t been in a pub but I ve seen them outside all on top off each other hugging and breathing down each other’s necks and that’s before they are drunk

Schools, every time!

It’s hard to understand why cafes and restaurants seem mostly to have opened without incident but pubs have caused outbreaks.

“ Children in school know how to behave, those in pubs don't ! ”

The school my niece works in had the son of a keyworker removed for sprinting across the class room shouting “I’ve got Covid”, jumping on his friend’s back, and licking his face. I fear that schools are going to be very difficult places for teachers come September.

I once had a student run into my lesson boasting that in science he had licked the slide with salmonella on it.

EllanVannin

Children in school know how to behave, those in pubs don't !

Hahaha! Oh we teachers wish, EV.

I agree that it is essential that children return to school, I’m not sure I see the correlation with pubs though. Around here the pubs & bars are mainly frequented by the very young, and so statistically less likely to have children, or those older who’s children are grown up.

I do feel incredibly sorry for the almost 500,000 people employed by pubs though. Having only received 80% of their income for 3 months, a couple of months of full pay will not have been enough to get them back on their feet. The thought of going back to reduced wages again indefinitely, must be terrifying.

Although many families could be travelling abroad during the summer holidays so hopefully children will still be virus free when they return to school.

Children in school know how to behave, those in pubs don't !

I have sympathy with anyone trying to run a business (including pubs) and trying to make an honest living. It's really hard for them at the moment.

However, I agree that it's more important for the children and the future of the country that the schools should be open. We have to consider the long term.

Definitely a no brainer.

I'll say.