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On what data has @educationgovuk made this decision? ONS data Easter showed clear increases in positivity among primary & 2ndary school children before Easter. No data following Easter, given schools only re-opened on 19th & last ONS release ended there
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/may/07/face-masks-for-english-secondary-school-pupils-to-be-ditched-williamson-confirms
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/may/07/face-masks-for-english-secondary-school-pupils-to-be-ditched-williamson-confirms
Meanwhile, there have been several large outbreaks in schools that have led to significant disruption and closures - here's an outbreak with >100 cases in a school https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-derbyshire-56988415.amp
Several schools with outbreaks in Wigan, including secondaries: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/eight-wigan-schools-hit-covid-20535727
And new variant (B.1.617.2) spread linked to secondary schools- data appears to have been delayed by PHE due to elections. Still no details released - were parents, schools, communities, local authorities informed about this? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/06/new-concerns-indian-covid-variant-clusters-found-across-england-ongoing-risk-high
I honestly hope this isn't the data PHE is relying on - comparisons between March this year, and in the thick of the second wave in Oct/Nov- as anyone can see that comparison says nothing about spread in schools. https://twitter.com/dgurdasani1/status/1389690916210937856?s=20
Our letter here now with >1000 signatories, including scientists, education unions, MPs, parents, grandparents & students all cautioning against dropping masks in secondaries on the 17th May. Please sign and support: https://www.covidactiongroup.com/open-letter-to-secretary-of-state-for-education
Masks work to reduce transmission in schools, and back into households - it's high time our govt follows data, rather than ideology. https://twitter.com/dgurdasani1/status/1390572869474717697?s=20
This response is completely bizarre given on the 6th April the @educationgovuk conducted a review coming to the conclusion that masks were useful to reduce transmission in school environments, and should be continued. What changed since?
Schools only opened on 19th April after Easter break, so it's been about 2 wks since schools reopened. What new data has emerged to suggest anything has changed since before Easter? If anything, we've seen the new 'Indian' variant spreading in 2ndaries & several large outbreaks.
The idea the govt is following data not dates is frankly laughable at this point.
