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

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.

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

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.

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.

Sorry U turn not I turn

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)

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'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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Just to point out that the outbreak in Dundee's school for children with additional physical needs, 17 adults, 4 contacts in the community and only 2 pupils have tested positive.

I don't understand why the schools in lockdown areas are going to be opening in the first place, masks or no masks.

Oops “on principle”

There are several decisions made by the government that I feel uneasy about and I do have doubts about the competence of some of it’s members. However the world is still learning about the virus and it’s long term effects, and I would far rather see decisions altered when it is considered necessary than sticking with advice that has since been updated. Frankly I think there are supporters of both the main parties who would argue against any decisions/policies made by the other side principle. I believe that this often negates their point of view rather than strengthening and furthering it.

Masks or no masks it'll only be a matter of time before the schools will have to close again.

Children wipe their nose's on their sleeves all the time. I've yet to see them with tissues in their pockets---so what use are masks when their overall habits are faulty ?
Watch a child when it sneezes ! Aren't they taught to blow/ wipe their nose's ?
What when they sneeze with their mask on ?

I just don't know why Boris made an announcement yesterday that children wouldn't have to wear masks at school. There was no need to say anything at that stage. As soon as he said it I knew there was a good chance he would be retracting it before long. The worrying thing is why didn't he?

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.

Teacheranne

Another reason why Scotland have made mask wearing in certain areas of a secondary school could be that within two weeks of opening, a Dundee school has had a significant outbreak?

Maybe. But more likely because WHO advice on masks for children changed.

Yes, even if the science says it isn’t necessary, it’s about giving people confidence.As long as the schools all reopen it doesn’t matter.?

Agreed lemongrove (blimey!,). and much better than the reports of teachers being told they can’t wear masks etc. I do get cross with the “it hasn’t been proven that masks help” tack. It hasn’t been proven that they don’t so just wear the damn things and for goodness sake given people the power to enforce it !!
Rant over

I actually think it’s the right decision.Away from Covid ‘hot spots’ ( where it will be mandatory) I think that if teachers want to wear a visor, and pupils want to wear masks out of the classroom, where they mingle with lots of others, then they should do so.It ‘s whatever it takes to get the schools going again and children learning.

Another reason why Scotland have made mask wearing in certain areas of a secondary school could be that within two weeks of opening, a Dundee school has had a significant outbreak?