China Coronavirus

[whitegoodman]

Nobody is arguing that children should be denied education. But since the North especially has this issue with the same numbers, no matter what it seems to do. Would it not have been prudent to take the step of closing the schools for 2 weeks when everything else done it? (Remember in summer.....there was hardly a death for weeks, seems so far away now).

It just seems ludicrous at this stage absolutely everything else of any risk is immediately closed. But we stay silent and accept that schools are basically the staging point for Covid spread now?

If the schools were off how would you propose they be looked after for those not fortunate enough to work at home or don't have childcare available to them from 9 until 330 every day.  Even for those that are working at home how are they supposed to do their job and look after / home teach their children ?

[GetOverTheBar]

Nobody is arguing that children should be denied education. But since the North especially has this issue with the same numbers, no matter what it seems to do. Would it not have been prudent to take the step of closing the schools for 2 weeks when everything else done it? (Remember in summer.....there was hardly a death for weeks, seems so far away now).

It just seems ludicrous at this stage absolutely everything else of any risk is immediately closed. But we stay silent and accept that schools are basically the staging point for Covid spread now?

If the schools were off how would you propose they be looked after for those not fortunate enough to work at home or don't have childcare available to them from 9 until 330 every day.  Even for those that are working at home how are they supposed to do their job and look after / home teach their children ?

It's not a perfect world at the moment. But your question is essentially saying, let them stay at school and continue the spread because there is a headache at home. The vast majority of the public were meant to be at home for those two weeks - that's all I'm saying they should have been at home for.

To every solution there is exemptions of course. Lockdown upon lockdown isn't working. And we aren't even out of the current one and the Health Minister appears to be keen on getting another set of restrictions in place. You either do a full lockdown, right. Or you are wasting your time. As it looks like we have been.

[armaghniac]

Christ, it was only last week 50 were positive and 500 odd were sent home from Methodist

Closing schools with a significant number of cases seems a perfectly logical move, but does not justify closing schools with no cases.

The problem with democracy is everyone's opinion is equal.

Medical opinion, which actually has the detailed data on this, is of the opinion that schools are not the primary mode of transmission. Of course closing schools would be appropriate if you had other strict measures at the same time, but the measures in the6 counties have never been all that strict in recent months. However, there is merit in saying that a proper video learning plan should be introduced for secondary students for a couple of weeks.

[Jeepers Creepers]

Nobody is arguing that children should be denied education. But since the North especially has this issue with the same numbers, no matter what it seems to do. Would it not have been prudent to take the step of closing the schools for 2 weeks when everything else done it? (Remember in summer.....there was hardly a death for weeks, seems so far away now).

It just seems ludicrous at this stage absolutely everything else of any risk is immediately closed. But we stay silent and accept that schools are basically the staging point for Covid spread now?

It's not a perfect world at the moment. But your question is essentially saying, let them stay at school and continue the spread because there is a headache at home. The vast majority of the public were meant to be at home for those two weeks - that's all I'm saying they should have been at home for.

To every solution there is exemptions of course. Lockdown upon lockdown isn't working. And we aren't even out of the current one and the Health Minister appears to be keen on getting another set of restrictions in place. You either do a full lockdown, right. Or you are wasting your time. As it looks like we have been.

We should have followed the ROI in closing all bar the schools and we could have had some piece of mind heading into christmas instead of the shitshow we have had and continiue to have in the North.

[GetOverTheBar]

Christ, it was only last week 50 were positive and 500 odd were sent home from Methodist

Closing schools with a significant number of cases seems a perfectly logical move, but does not justify closing schools with no cases.

Fair enough point, but you know as do I. We are now in the territory where people are going to get isolation notices over next few days that leaves them isolating over Xmas and they'll just point blank ignore them. I think it's very fool hardy to suggest otherwise now.

[Angelo]

The O6 don't have the finances enforce a proper lockdown. Stormont is shambolic on two fronts, a) unionism and its unwillingness to compromise b) real power lies in Westminister. The business supports aren't there for small businesses and workers and Westminister don't give a toss. That's always been the way, Stormont has limited power to do anything and when you square that off with DUP/UUP bigots and dinosaurs then forget about it.

The death rates are high and new cases are steady for nigh on 3 months now. But we are never given the full information. We hear of 14 deaths on one day but who are these 14 deaths?

The historic data shows the vast majority of people who die from this are in really bad health, if you tested positive for Covid and died within an arbitrary period after this does not mean Covid was the reason you die but yet you're added to the death count.

If we're going to be hearing about death counts on a daily basis then it should be in the public interest to show us of the people who are the ones that are dying from it. The people who need to be careful and who we need to be extra cautious around.

[imtommygunn]

Over 400 today again but with ~twice the number of tests. The number in hospitals / ICU seems to be kind of flatlining however I guess with people having passed away that still means more coming in 

I was speaking to a doctor who was saying that even case numbers are not that relevant - it's more the fact that from the hospitals perspective it is just constant.

[armaghniac]

Over 400 today again but with ~twice the number of tests. The number in hospitals / ICU seems to be kind of flatlining however I guess with people having passed away that still means more coming in 

I was speaking to a doctor who was saying that even case numbers are not that relevant - it's more the fact that from the hospitals perspective it is just constant.

Constant, at a high level where hospitals remain under pressure and are not doing their regular business.

[GetOverTheBar]

And that table basically proves the school thing....look at the dates.

[imtommygunn]

It is very clearly the elephant in the room. I have said that for ages. I am not sure what to do about it mind.

Did nz shut schools?

[FermGael]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55265098

How ? Surely it's scientifically impossible for children to spread it ....
Schools are safe ....

[armaghniac]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55265098

How ? Surely it's scientifically impossible for children to spread it ....
Schools are safe ....

Schools can of course spread it, but they do not drive it.
The increase in September was probably more down to Third Level and these students will no go back all over the country and spread it again.

[imtommygunn]

How can you be sure of that statement?

[thewobbler]

He can't be. It's form of social conditioning in action.

[armaghniac]

The fact remains that most counties in Ireland have a lowish Covid rate by European standards and their schools have been open since September.