should children be returning to full time education in a pandemic?

[mad-moon]

Should young children be returning to full time education, which is about to happen very shortly, during a pandemic.

[Marco]

Yes, because not doing so would ultimately be more damaging to their education than anything else!

We're at the stage now in this 'pandemic' [certainly the current situation here in the UK doesn't warrant that description] where we need to prioritise other areas of people's well-being (children included) over [in reality] the small risk of catching the virus and then spreading it to others.

Marco.

[Folsom]

What pandemic?

[Marco]

Marco.

[mad-moon]

I hope your right...we shall see

[Marco]

Well, my first sentence on post 2 is almost certainly true!

As things stand now, the main focus must be on addressing the detrimental impact on people of any restrictive measures imposed, with a view to controlling the spread of the virus, than on fretting over the potential effects of the virus itself.

In that respect, focussing on children receiving the education that they need, and limiting the impact on mental health, as a result of the loss of freedoms, and being scared to go outside of your house and function normally, something usually taken for granted, has to take precedence.

Marco.

[struth]

I think the tenet of if your in the, 'at risk' group, then keep your distance from everyone, and you should be OK. For us it's not over or at minimal risk.
Kids do need to get back to normalsy now. It is important, as it is for the general 'not at risk' population.

[Marco]

I think the tenet of if your in the, 'at risk' group, then keep your distance from everyone, and you should be OK.

"Ok" how, though? *Maybe* in terms of not getting infected, and that certainly isn't guaranteed, but ultimately at what cost to your mental (and also physical) health? I know people in your category, mate (your age and older), who are struggling terribly with effectively being prisoners in their own homes, simply because they're too scared to go out!

That situation simply isn't sustainable, no matter how you cut it. The fact is, not everyone is comfortable or able to cope with being on their own, day in day out, for months on end, as you. As I've said before, for those in your category, currently doing the same: you may be alive, but you're certainly not LIVING....

Marco.

[struth]

It's not scared. It's using their common sense as they see it. A year out of your life might seem a lot but is it?

[Marco]

Didn't say you were, but rather the old folks I know and have referred to. I can tell you that the mental anguish of being alone within the same four walls since March is taking a severe toll. They're scared out of their wits to set foot outside of their door!

To answer your question, a lot could happen in that year, including dying from the effects of loneliness and the sense that there's no longer anything worth living for... The fact is, if you're waiting for this virus simply to 'disappear' before beginning living normally again, then you could be in for a very LONG wait!

So how long are you willing to imprison yourself in that way, simply to achieve some notion of safety?

Marco.