U turn if you want to....the government has just - again!

We use the term "lockdown" when we should be talking about "restrictions". Things have changed since we were in full lockdown and keeping schools open needs to be a priority, we have to get back to educating our children.

Callistemon

growstuff

In schools recently, it seems to have been a case of "Where Scotland leads, England follows".

At least the U turn has been made before they return to school in England and not afterwards, unlike Scotland.

True, but Scotland's school returned earlier and England would have been stupid not to watch what's been happening in Scotland.

Alegrias

We use the term "lockdown" when we should be talking about "restrictions". Things have changed since we were in full lockdown and keeping schools open needs to be a priority, we have to get back to educating our children.

What's an acceptable price in terms of lost lives?

It has never been a case of either/or. It would be possible to have blended learning, which would re-establish a routine and minimise risk.

A decision will be made tomorrow on wearing of masks in Welsh schools.

I'm glad it's not my decision to make growstuff, and I don't have a background in teaching or education so I'm not going to make a call on whether blended learning is appropriate. I've seen enough threads here and on Mumsnet to know that this is a hot topic.
My point is that nowhere is in total lockdown any more so schools and education need to be prioritised.

Ellianne, not often I have ever agreed with Johnson - but do so when he says that it must be a major priority to get our children of all ages, back to full-time education.
For me this only a very small amount to do with actual education - but a very large amount about getting these youngsters back with their friends (and not so friends), back to socialising, communicating and learning not to be afraid of being in a social group. It will be nearly six months that many youngsters would have been isolated away from their friends, and even those who have, somehow, managed to continue their education at home - that is not a good alternative.
Sorry, the young people are for me a far greater consideration than anything and anyone else. They have treated disgracefully during this period - now is the time for them to get back to school. At present figures of both hospitalisation and deaths have shown how well medical knowledge and treatment of Covid has improved - meanwhile cases of mental health problems in all ages continue to rise.

I agree that our children have been treated disgracefully. I started a similar thread and it appears most people disagree with me. I don’t think children should wear masks in school , schools have put plenty of other safety measures in place.

My granddaughters are starting in year 7 at their new senior school next week and I don’t want them to wear masks at any time of day. The one has anxiety and feels panicky in a mask, not a great feeling when you are trying to concentrate on the classroom!

I am annoyed at Boris’s I turn. I agree he seems to be following Scotland . Nicola Sturgeon likes doing different to England every single time ( I’m not saying whether she’s right or wrong in most cases but I think she’s wrong this time)

Sorry U turn not I turn

TwiceAsNice the WHO has changed its guidance on face coverings for children.

If the PM had not in this instance not followed the WHO guidance GN would have multiple threads on PM not following WHO guidance

The UKs children have to get back into the routine of school and learning, it’s not ideal but neither was remote learning for a lot of children.

I agree with GrannyGravy13 and I commented upthread that the WHO guidance had changed.
Changing your approach when scientific guidance changes shouldn't be seen as a U-turn, it should be seen as trying to do the best thing with the current available information.

Also a wee comment about Nicola Sturgeon. It really is not credible any more to say that she likes to do things just to be different to England, that is getting very old. She made the decision about facemasks before the Westminster government did, and she introduced the idea of extended households a few weeks ago after the WM government. Seems she can't win.

Sorry, just to be clear, I didn't mean to imply that extended households were NS's idea.

Twice as nice. “ I don’t think children should wear masks in school , schools have put plenty of other safety measures in place.”. What are they ?

It’s being advised in communal areas eg corridors .
Schools do not have enough space for social distancing.
Many teachers are over 60.
Surely the majority of secondary school students could wear masks in an attempt to keep things safe ? And as I have asked before, what do you suggest for those working with social needs students in mainstream schools who have to be close.

Lucca I cannot comment on other schools only the one I know. Grandchildren will be going to the school I work in. One way systems everywhere so everybody going in the same direction and staggered time’s so only one bubble walking at the same time.

Plus the usual distancing , handwashing, gel stations everywhere, staggered drop offs and pick ups so small groups all the time. Sorry but I think its good enough .

There is nothing more important than getting our youngsters back to school. With or without face coverings I am confident that teachers will have done everything possible to protect the children and themselves.
If they are to wear masks we need a public information film on all media outlets to show the correct way to put on, to wear, to take off. If not worn or handled correctly they are useless. Many adults would also benefit from this lesson.
As we learn more about the virus and its spread the advice changes and so the government changes position and rightly so.

Twiceasnice Is that a secondary school ?

TwiceAsNice

Lucca I cannot comment on other schools only the one I know. Grandchildren will be going to the school I work in. One way systems everywhere so everybody going in the same direction and staggered time’s so only one bubble walking at the same time.

Plus the usual distancing , handwashing, gel stations everywhere, staggered drop offs and pick ups so small groups all the time. Sorry but I think its good enough .

How is it possible that they are sitting the recognised distance apart in the classroom?

I've just been listening to official government advice for shops. Two metres apart or one metre with extra precautions such as a mask. That is just not going to be possible in a classroom. Why should it be any different from a shop, where at least people aren't in contact for more than a few minutes at a time?

How are staggered times going to be possible, when a school has over thirty school buses carrying pupils from many different villages from different bubbles?

My daughter lives and works in a high Covid area. She teaches 16 -18 year olds. She will be in a classroom with 15 students. No masks in the classroom only in corridors. I can't help but feel worried.

AGAA4

My daughter lives and works in a high Covid area. She teaches 16 -18 year olds. She will be in a classroom with 15 students. No masks in the classroom only in corridors. I can't help but feel worried.

Depending on the classroom sizes, 15 students might be able to keep over a metre apart. A "bubble" of 15 is obviously going to be less risky than 30.

I'm so glad I don't have to put myself at that kind of risk any more and wish your daughter well.

I just want to say (before anyone says I’m an ex teacher trying to prevent students being back in school) this is in answer to those saying they see no need for masks.

Growstuff. Thank you. The teachers have been told that they will not be at risk unless students cough and sneeze. She says they are very often coughing and sneezing!

Re post 16 level classes. Smaller groups yes, but taught in smaller rooms !!

Lucca. Yes. That is the case. Social distancing impossible.
My daughter wants to get back to teaching her students as they say they have missed her as online classes not the same. She just feels that there has been no real thought to safety in a high risk area.

AGAA4

*Lucca*. Yes. That is the case. Social distancing impossible.
My daughter wants to get back to teaching her students as they say they have missed her as online classes not the same. She just feels that there has been no real thought to safety in a high risk area.

Could she wear a visor? A lot depends on her subject I think. I’d have found it very hard to teach MFL under these circumstances.

Lucca

I just want to say (before anyone says I’m an ex teacher trying to prevent students being back in school) this is in answer to those saying they see no need for masks.

The CMO in Wales says the evidence for masks is weak.