state of emergency

[Greensleeves]

Almost every other country has closed schools - we have no plans to as yet. Instead, the Government is talking about passing a law to allow larger class sizes if there are teacher absences. So, rather than having 30 children in a class, you cram in 40 or more, where is the sense there?

You could always volunteer your services 

I think she might have difficulty since she and I are in the age-group which is being locked up for four months.  Along with all those children's grandparents.  Another example of a totally unworkable knee-jerk reaction to a major incident by a government which frankly hasn't got a clue.

[groom]

Yes totally unworkable GS. If grandparents are locked up who will do the unpaid childcare after school and if schools are closed?

How will they know who is over 70 - are we to be tagged or micro chipped? 

[pharmaT]

Yes totally unworkable GS. If grandparents are locked up who will do the unpaid childcare after school and if schools are closed?

How will they know who is over 70 - are we to be tagged or micro chipped?

It will probably lead to me getting sacked as if childcare and schools shut I will be lfet with no back up

[dowdstree]

GS and Groom I couldn't agree more with what you have said about childcare and the government's ridiculous proposal regarding over 70's.

It is totally unworkable for a variety of reasons. If we all use common sense, irrespective of age and take a few extra precautions surely that should be enough.

Dorrie

[Greensleeves]

Yes totally unworkable GS. If grandparents are locked up who will do the unpaid childcare after school and if schools are closed?

How will they know who is over 70 - are we to be tagged or micro chipped?

And of course, following on from the suggestion that you should do something practical to deal with the problem (not sure why but let's not dwell on the logic there),  I'm not sure that's even legal.

You're right of course, Dorrie, common-sense is what's needed, although there seems to be little of that filtering down from Westminster currently.

[Gadget]

A leaked document from PHS England

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/15/uk-coronavirus-crisis-to-last-until-spring-2021-and-could-see-79m-hospitalised

[Erato]

"If we all use common sense ..."

Ah, yes, the populist approach.  Who needs epidemiologists, anyway?

[Greensleeves]

"If we all use common sense ..."

Ah, yes, the populist approach.  Who needs epidemiologists, anyway?

Considering that, fortunately,  the practical application of common sense is used more often than the practical - as opposed to theoretical - input of epidemiology in a pandemic situation, I would suggest that a combination of both might result in a sensible way forward, with each side giving due respect to the other.  The way forward is to work together, not to work against each other.

Seems to me that they had it better sussed during the Great Plague of 1665 (ref Daniel Defoe's Journal of the Plague Year) regarding social care and treatment of those 'locked in', than the British govt has currently.

[a chesters]

I wonder what some of the alarmists would think about me.

I have, occasionally, a dry persistent cough, for which I have medicine as prescribed by my doctor. It is in no way spreading any form of disease, as it is not associated with anything other than a throat "tickle".

Would I be put in solitary confinement, even though I am a relatively healthy 75 year old