"Why are schools different to shops? They are opening."

Our supermarkets, pharmacies & corner shops have been brilliantly facing the public throughout the crisis. But many shop workers are protected by screens, door staff, social distance markings and their own PPE and masks 1/8

When non essential retail shops open on the 15th June, they must demonstrate they are "covid secure". This will include only 1 in a small shop at a time, screens at the till, masks and other PPE and social distancing measures. 2/8

When schools reopen, teachers won't be wearing masks, visors or have screens. They will be dealing with young children, more than 1 other pupil in the room with them - in Den approx 5 pupils, but in Eng up to 15 pupils in a classroom: maybe 100 or more in total in the school 3/8

This is why the teachers and the scientists and the Public Health officials are concerned. Our recovery from this virus crisis is very fragile - we still are on Alert 4.

Italy, Spain, Ireland, Scotland, Wales - are not opening their schools until the next academic year.
4/8

There is still a high level of coronavirus cases in our local communities (500 a day admitted to hospital at the moment), and the Test & Trace system will not be fully operational at a local level until the end of June. 5/8

And now the Prime Minister has announced that on 1st June not only will we be widening the opening of schools but also opening outdoor retail & car showrooms, and allowing mixing up of households for the first time since March.

All on the same day. 6/8

This is not a scientific decision. It is a political and economic decision by this government to open our schools right now.

Do you trust them to get the decisions right? 7/8

It is far too early. We cannot undo our months of hard work to get on top of controlling this virus.

We must be risk averse, follow the lead of scientists, and only open our schools when it is safe and we have a stronger hold in our recovery. 8/8