Originally Posted by
Timbuk2
In the UK, schools remain open for the time being.
My sister, a deputy-head teacher at an inner-city school in one of the poorest parts of London, sent the following in a whatsapp conversation:
I have 1 staff off with symptoms, and 7 isolating because they are living with people with symptoms, another 3 off with other issues. I have had to tell a member of staff who doesn't want to continue to come into work because they are scared they will get sick, infect their 92-year-old mother who will then die, that they have to come in to work. I have spoken to a parent who is isolating with their sick child who only has enough food to last the day, and £1 left on the gas meter and no money for more, and another whose wife was sectioned last night. I am now in a small room with 6 probably virus ridden children doing mock tests.
I responded and asked why the hell schools were still open.
She responded:
Because if we close there are families who cannot feed their children as they rely on school dinners as their main meal (currently planning to run our own food service in event of closure), what happens to the workforce if parents have to stay home to look after kids- nurses, doctors, bin men, police force, supermarket workers for food and delivery workers all reduced?
Because in London, many 14, 15, 16 yr old gang members are safely in school all day and if schools close long-term they are out on the streets doing (stabbing) god knows what. It's a balancing act! I suspect the governments reasons are much more about the economy but reasons above are why we feel being open is important. Not that I love the idea of not being here!
Christ :(