How will schools be able to go back in September?

so this is why schools really have to reopen

perhaps employers will have to contribute more to childcare at this rate!

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/it-can-feel-like-you-are-drowning-in-a-sea-of-projects-the-reality-of-working-from-home-with-two-small-children-and-why-it-cant-go-on-39229476.html

CruelSummer wrote: »

If you look at the figures for Lidl and Aldi staff today...4,000 Aldi staff in Ireland and only 10 tested positive for Covid...similar figures to Lidl...does this not raise the question as to why schools can't just reopen as normal in September? Have we not done enough damage to our children and their development/education - or do we just want to rub salt in their wounds without any evidence to back it up.
The current figures don't justify the current restrictions/measures at all in my view, and certainly not what's been thrown around for September.

The ALdi and Lidl in my area have ppe for staff and perspex screens along with limitations on numbers in the store with sd.

Surely you would want some protective measures in place for students and staff in schools? no one has said they arent opening in sept

As we all know Aldi and Lidl are very different environments to schools, people tend not to spend long in them, a lot are wearing masks, so the least we can do is provide similar protective measures for our children. Aren't they worth it?

Well they all have in mine. masks gloves, spit screens on the tills, social distancing, stop go system on computer screen for entering shop, security reminding people of sd etc and floor spaces marked out

Well thankfully it is left to the professionals to deal with and this is just a thread of opinion.

Children will be allowed wear them too if they want. We had kids weaing them before school clased as they felt more comfortable and as you say whatever makes them feel comfortable is important.

There are a lot of comments here by people on how schools should run, when they should be open etc. by people who have no real idea about the inner workings of a school so I am happy to leave to the professionals, it will be a nightmare of a job when we start planning and already I am being asked for input due to my previous career. Watching the argument on the voluntary contributions thread, it is going to be interesting as the DoE will have to put a lot of money into deep cleaning the buliding daily properly and at the moment they can barely supply toilet paper. Maybe at last they weill stump up for the hidden costs for running a school that perents have covered for so long.

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

Completely agree with you, saw those figures on another thread and couldn't believe it.

These are workers that have been working day after day during the whole thing and their infection rates are miniscule.

Approx 0.25% infection rate, for example if you applied that rate in a school of 300 people that's less than 1 person (0.75) infected and its been proven that it's actually less contagious in kids.

I'm sure I read something weeks ago about an issue with this virus (not sure if true of all virus') being viral load. In other words prolonged exposure over time being more harmful than being exposed to lotsof people for a short time. It partially explains why so many frontline health staff contract it in spite of PPE and many safety protocols. I tried to find it again there now but couldn't. If I find it I'll link it.

I think that could be why some settings eg. schools are seen as more risky than others such as supermarkets. It is due to less movement of people and more prolonged exposure throughout the day. Happy to be corrected if I've made a pigs ear of explaining that.

Editedto add: i would love schools opened as normal as possible, as soon as possible but only when deamed reasonably safe not as a rushed political/populist decision.

CruelSummer wrote: »

If you look at the figures for Lidl and Aldi staff today...4,000 Aldi staff in Ireland and only 10 tested positive for Covid...similar figures to Lidl...does this not raise the question as to why schools can't just reopen as normal in September? Have we not done enough damage to our children and their development/education - or do we just want to rub salt in their wounds without any evidence to back it up.
The current figures don't justify the current restrictions/measures at all in my view, and certainly not what's been thrown around for September.

I was actually talking about that today. I was wondering what the status were for supermarket workers. They have been working with each other and also relatively close contact with customers, but without PPE.
I thought they would be a good indication of how this would pass with in the general population when things gradually return to normality.

morebabies wrote: »

I know, but for families with members with compromised immune systems, I think full time homeschooling should be an option. Junior and Leaving Cert can't be done completely at home at the moment because of the project work, I think they should make it possible for these children to do their exams and get their coursework assessed 100% through homeschooling. (Yes I have a vested interest).

I agree homeschooling should be an option for those who need it and those students and their families should be supported.
My student will be JC next year and while I dont think the JC is the be all and end all the overall access to teaching does concern me.

khalessi wrote: »

As we all know Aldi and Lidl are very different environments to schools, people tend not to spend long in them, a lot are wearing masks, so the least we can do is provide similar protective measures for our children. Aren't they worth it?

I've been going to work throughout.. busy place, couple hundred employees. Only one person tested positive and they aren't even sick. Not really social distancing being honest. Plenty close working. Nobody with gloves or masks. None of our local supermarkets have staff wearing gloves or masks either. Just being honest. Only people I know tested positive and got sick were e a couple of elderly with underlying health problems who were accessing health services. In my experience, most people have had enough of it and have significantly eased off distancing and extra hygiene measures because I think basically people no longer see it as a threat to the vast majority of the population which it doesn't seem to be. IMO, back to school as normal in September. Bit of extra handwashing but no masks, distancing or any of that necessary. Kids will be mixing over the summer. Best to get back to normal business for everyone now, keeping a watchful eye on the vulnerable.

I just watched Simon Reeve with the Rohinga people in Burma . Even in very difficult circumstances and families in poverty they have a little shelter built and a little school for the kids .
They understand the social aspect and the real need for kids to be together and learn
I really hope that our schools can function near enough to normal very soon and that September sees us all in a better situation and in control of the virus

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

HSE have already said no to primary children wearing masks.

If the teacher wants to wear one if it makes them feel less exposed then I don't see why not.

Wait and see we won't be allowed to. I would bet wager money that this is one thing they will give guidance on. The logic being that it will make the children anxious rather than thinking about their staff.

Zahir Bitter Cellist wrote: »

As the virus has more or less been eliminated in the community now its definitely time to accelerate the reopening.

Don't know how they can justify dragging this out until end of August.

This is my opinion since April.

I have two young children. For one, this is like water off a duck's back. The other is asking when will the virus be gone. He no longer wants to do any school work. He has lost his interest in school and his non school interests.

Can schools not have a once a week two hours in school so that those kinds of students can still see a physical link with their school ?