Current Affairs Coronavirus Thread - Serious stuff !!!

[Caolam]

Thank God for Stormont. Our MLAs are in danger of appearing sensible.
Been listening to England's new rules, I think of myself as being reasonably pragmatic but I cannot see any sensible thread in these rules.

 

[Nymzee]

Although, in reality, no-one knows for sure, the little research done suggests that children are quite a bit less likely to pass it onto adults than adults are to pass it onto children, so, it's not like dealing with a flu epidemic while children are super spreaders.

If it wasn't for the fact that, in this country, we're so reliant on grandparents for childcare, I'd be fairly relaxed about primary school kids going back to school. If we could solve the grandparents issue, the adults children would most likely infect would be their relatively young parents, most of whom would be healthy and low risk. Can't lie, I don't know how to alleviate the risk of putting higher risk parents in the firing line though.

Yes but the point is: is it necessary these kids go back to school now? We're trying to reduce the chance people get this virus yet we're taking unnecessary steps forwards.

Just because we can doesn't mean we should.

 

[ForeverBlue92]

Anyone know if Plumbers are able to go to peoples homes and do non essential work with this easing or not?

 

[navidson]

Never thought i'd hear a 'Whack-a Mole' reference in a government briefing

 

[Nymzee]

Anyone know if Plumbers are able to go to peoples homes and do non essential work with this easing or not?

Few plumbers on my snapchat seem to have been working every day since lockdown started. Whether they were allowed or not who knows.

 

[navidson]

Anyone know if Plumbers are able to go to peoples homes and do non essential work with this easing or not?

You're thinking about Plumbers who own a pair of scissors aren't you!

Little scamp

 

[Toast]

I am not filled with any confidence whatsoever after this; I don't think they've actually answered a single question that's been asked.

I've just phoned my son and told him to come home immediately.
The second wave looks nailed on as people are too thick to follow normal messages, let alone mixed ones.
The next lockdown will be far harsher if I'm right and he won't get home until next year.

 

[RFUS]

Although, in reality, no-one knows for sure, the little research done suggests that children are quite a bit less likely to pass it onto adults than adults are to pass it onto children, so, it's not like dealing with a flu epidemic while children are super spreaders.

If it wasn't for the fact that, in this country, we're so reliant on grandparents for childcare, I'd be fairly relaxed about primary school kids going back to school. If we could solve the grandparents issue, the adults children would most likely infect would be their relatively young parents, most of whom would be healthy and low risk. Can't lie, I don't know how to alleviate the risk of putting higher risk parents in the firing line though.

A lot of research I have read does not suggest that. However all research on this matter is somewhat questionable because pretty much every country has rapidly closed down schools, so how can you even get the data about how kids spread the disease in the first place?

As teachers we want to know for sure that it isn't dangerous to go into school with kids, but no one can know for sure until the schools open back up -- it's a bit of a catch 22.


EDIT: Chris Witty has literally just said they don't really know how much kids transmit the virus. So primary teachers could be guinea pigs here!

 

[Nymzee]

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[Catfish Blues]

Yes but the point is: is it necessary these kids go back to school now? We're trying to reduce the chance people get this virus yet we're taking unnecessary steps forwards.

Just because we can doesn't mean we should.

Yea, it's about timing really. In an ideal world, we'd have been in a much better situation by behaving differently weeks ago, but that cock ups done now, so it's about trying to make the best of it.

If the advice they're getting suggests that a phased return for primary schools can be done without sending R above 1, then it's really a case of exactly when to start it. Purely for logistical reasons, I'd have thought mid-June would be more realistic than early June, and it may well be that they're setting a challenging target knowing it'll actually be a week or two beyond that when it's really up and running.

 

[glorydaze]

What’s the minimum now for redundancy? Thought it had been stripped to a week for every year you been there capped at 12 weeks. Was when I got made redundant a few years back (only had two years service so got 3 months notice and two weeks pay I think)

One weeks pay for every year if under 40. One and a half if over 40. ( Legal minimums)

 

[NorthernBlue]

One weeks pay for every year if under 40. One and a half if over 40. ( Legal minimums)

Capped at 20 now. Changed from 12 it seems.

 

[Catfish Blues]

A lot of research I have read does not suggest that. However all research on this matter is somewhat questionable because pretty much every country has rapidly closed down schools, so how can you even get the data about how kids spread the disease in the first place?

As teachers we want to know for sure that it isn't dangerous to go into school with kids, but no one can know for sure until the schools open back up -- it's a bit of a catch 22.


EDIT: Chris Witty has literally just said they don't really know how much kids transmit the virus. So primary teachers could be guinea pigs here!

There's nothing conclusive, the best article I've seen is from nature

How do children spread the coronavirus? The science still isn’t clear

Schools are beginning to reopen — but scientists are still trying to understand what the deal is with kids and COVID-19.

www.nature.com

Ideally, we'd hang fire for a bit longer than early June, and see what happens in Germany and France

 

[daza_1973]

What’s the minimum now for redundancy? Thought it had been stripped to a week for every year you been there capped at 12 weeks. Was when I got made redundant a few years back (only had two years service so got 3 months notice and two weeks pay I think)

Was that government paid redundancy (which is capped) - or company paid redundancy ?

 

[RFUS]

There's nothing conclusive, the best article I've seen is from nature

How do children spread the coronavirus? The science still isn’t clear

Schools are beginning to reopen — but scientists are still trying to understand what the deal is with kids and COVID-19.

www.nature.com

Ideally, we'd hang fire for a bit longer than early June, and see what happens in Germany and France

That's my point mate, it's essentially guesswork at this point as to how kids transmit the virus. Therefore it is impossible to guarantee that it will be safe for primary school employees. Especially when the Government have said they're aiming to get all primary school children back to school for at least a month. That would make social distancing impossible.

It will be interesting to see developments in Europe. Germany have already had their R rate go above 1 (1.13 I think?) but the amount schools have contributed is unclear.

Like I said yesterday, I am glad I'm not a primary teacher.