Full Lockdown Day 24: The Latest Government Plan

The original plan was to test all children and staff in school, those that tested positive would isolate, those that were negative could remain in school. There would be no need to send bubbles (groups of children) home. Good idea you may think. First problem: I have no idea why anyone thinks I am qualified to shove a swab up a 6 year old's nose or down their throats (the army, despite media reports, were not coming into to school to train staff, you could phone them). Second problem: the tests are 49% (Liverpool study) to 70% accurate and deliver false negative results. So there's a potential of students running around not distancing because they believe they do not have COVID when they do. Fortunately, the regulator has now said that these tests cannot be used in schools as an alternative to self isolation. Staff have been asked to self test and as you can see, I'm happy to do so, but remember despite the negative result, I could still have COVID.

And while I'm here I would like to mention to those in the media and the Tory party that disadvantaged children and child mental health issues existed before COVID, it was rampant in our community. Tory austerity over the last few years has damaged children's welfare probably more than COVID. Teaching staff know this because we encounter it on a daily basis and that's why no one wants schools to reopen more than teachers. 


Remember: schools are safe, schools are safe, schools are safe... I'm closing schools.  :-)