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A few thoughts on schools reopening.
If our government does look at other countries for any kind of phased school returns while easing lockdown restrictions, it’s going to be a long process and one that may be reversed and changed as infections spike.
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If our government does look at other countries for any kind of phased school returns while easing lockdown restrictions, it’s going to be a long process and one that may be reversed and changed as infections spike.
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Worth noting that many of the countries easing lockdowns to include schools are those who locked down early and consequently have not had huge numbers of cases and deaths.
Italy and Spain are approaching the easing by opening some non-essential businesses, not schools (yet).
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Italy and Spain are approaching the easing by opening some non-essential businesses, not schools (yet).
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Denmark have been touted as one to follow.
They opened day care + primary schools on April 15. All other businesses etc closed until May 10, and large gatherings until August.
They have modelled and modelled, and are opening on the basis of no social distancing of kids.
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They opened day care + primary schools on April 15. All other businesses etc closed until May 10, and large gatherings until August.
They have modelled and modelled, and are opening on the basis of no social distancing of kids.
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Denmark have 5800 cases and 240 deaths.
They calculated that sending (primary) kids back would increase the R0 value to 1.23 (an infected person would infect 1.23 others). If people don’t follow hygiene and distancing rules in society this’ll rise + they’ll have to lockdown.
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They calculated that sending (primary) kids back would increase the R0 value to 1.23 (an infected person would infect 1.23 others). If people don’t follow hygiene and distancing rules in society this’ll rise + they’ll have to lockdown.
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All that info is here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-denmark-takes-first-step-out-of-lockdown-with-schools-set-to-reopen-hpmzgx078
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Germany are now considering reopening primary schools.
With obligatory face masks and maximum class sizes of 15.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-time-is-right-to-reopen-primary-schools-advisers-urge-angela-merkel-wwnmsqh7b
Pupils would study a different curriculum and have staggered breaks to reduce social mixing.
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With obligatory face masks and maximum class sizes of 15.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-time-is-right-to-reopen-primary-schools-advisers-urge-angela-merkel-wwnmsqh7b
Pupils would study a different curriculum and have staggered breaks to reduce social mixing.
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Norway are opening schools for 6-10 year olds (first years of primary school). Between April 20 and April 27.
Older students continue remote learning.
https://www.newsweek.com/countries-hit-coronavirus-start-sending-children-back-school-denmark-youngest-go-first-1498030
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Older students continue remote learning.
https://www.newsweek.com/countries-hit-coronavirus-start-sending-children-back-school-denmark-youngest-go-first-1498030
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Let’s not forget Sweden who never even closed primary schools.
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Austria and Czechia are both like Denmark and others in having smaller numbers of cases and deaths. However, they have not opted to open schools and are looking at businesses, like Italy and Spain.
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It is all economically focused as far as I can see. Those easing school lockdowns for younger children are doing so to release parents from their caring role to enable them to work more effectively.
Those opening non-essential businesses hope to boost economy that way.
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Those opening non-essential businesses hope to boost economy that way.
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Interestingly, only half of the schools allowed to open in Denmark on April 15 did. (See Newsweek link above). And the PM recognises not every institution will be ready to go back.
11 https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-europe-52226763
11 https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-europe-52226763
Every country is different, and it’s hard for us to compare ourselves to others.
It’s inevitable that we’ll relax restrictions later, given our Covid-19 challenges.
It seems likely that younger groups will go back first, if we follow suit and share those philosophies.
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It’s inevitable that we’ll relax restrictions later, given our Covid-19 challenges.
It seems likely that younger groups will go back first, if we follow suit and share those philosophies.
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It is really unclear what preventative measures we would take if schools did go back.
Many countries seem to be doing nothing special, some trying masks and distancing, much of China doing temperature checks.
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Many countries seem to be doing nothing special, some trying masks and distancing, much of China doing temperature checks.
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I think it is clear that returning schools is part of an economic strategy rather than educational. It helps educationally, of course.
I think I’m fine with that, provided we have some good data to demonstrate we are ‘safe enough’ to do so.
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I think I’m fine with that, provided we have some good data to demonstrate we are ‘safe enough’ to do so.
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Of course we’ll also have staff and students unable to come in through shielding. Do they shield until a vaccine? That’s a long time not to be in school/work. When is ‘safe enough’?
Some big decisions ahead. Good luck to everyone making them.
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Some big decisions ahead. Good luck to everyone making them.
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Here’s a look at Denmark opening up schools yesterday https://www.thelocal.dk/20200415/in-pics-denmarks-schools-reopening
