Thread by @oliveblogs, People can put their hands over their ears if they want to, [...]

People can put their hands over their ears if they want to, but the topic of #schools, #teachers #parents and #children re: #Covid19, not only should be discussed here, it needs to be shouted from the rooftops.
This thread gives an overview of the situation in Ireland 1/

I compiled the graphs/tables below using only data taken directly from HPSC/Gov websites.
Before I'm asked why, it's because Govt don't share this data in this clear format, and I think it is important for people to be informed (you know, for decision making etc...)
2/

Graph 1: This is an overview of all cases in young people age 0 - 24 from Feb to Nov 14th.

You can see that in the first half of November, cases are higher than the whole month of September in the 0 - 14 age groups. [Schools also closed for 1 week in Oct]

3/

While most children do not get sick from Covid-19, many do.
As you can see below, hospitalisations (0 -14) are also higher in the first 14 days of November than the whole of September.
To date 252 young people have been hospitalised with Covid & 13 admitted to ICU.
4/

Put them together & the links between dates, cases & hospitalisations is clear.

Also noteworthy:

In the 0 - 24 ages there were 17,523 cases this year in total, yet 13,982 (yes 80%!) of these cases were in Sept, Oct & Nov alone!

5/

We are continually told 'schools are safe' & 'community transmission' is the cause. However, HPSC shows clusters in schools have OVERTAKEN community clusters.
Other advocates can show these numbers are probably much higher.
(Remember too, people bring Covid into the home.) 6/

Another theory I've seen is that universities/colleges are driving cases up. This however goes against the data provided by HPSC.

In order of clusters/outbreaks (7th Nov):

Schools = 179
Creche/Childcare = 76
University/College = 21

(Most universities are also online) 7/

HPSC did release *some* data recently for 5 - 18 age groups (school-going age). We do know that most (not all) children go to school thus we know where they are spending a lot of time outside of home.
When we put these ages together, their cases exceed all other age groups. 8/

We can also see clusters towards the end of October drop suddenly. As highlighted by numerous media outlets, this is during the time when contact tracing started collapsing. Schools also closed for 1 week at the end of Oct & this data is only up to the 1st week in Nov. 9/

The graph below shows the number of cases (5-14) for the first week of each month.

Note that November's first week cases are higher than that in every other month this year.

10/

I think when all of this is taken into account it is reasonable for me to determine schools definitely play a significant role re: transmission of Covid-19.
Even if not in the school itself, bringing children to/from school plays a part.
This causes me great concern. 11/

Many parents do not currently want to send children to school because their child may have an underlying condition and/or may live with somebody who is medically vulnerable.
However, the HSE/DES have extremely specific criteria set for children who want remote learning... 12/

According to DES/Tusla, children can only avail of remote learning if they are self-isolating; tested for Covid & those in *very high* risk groups.
Many children with chronic asthma, kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease etc. are not entitled to remote learning...
13/

Furthermore, children living with a person who is in the very high risk group (e.g. parent, sibling etc.) are also NOT entitled to remote learning. In actual fact, I have evidence that Tusla told some parents they must either deregister children from school, or send them in...14/

Why is it okay for some children to get access to this service yet others in the same school (with extremely valid reasons) are not? How is that fair?
Why also are some health conditions not classed by the HSE as Very High Risk, when the data appears different? 15/

HPSC data shows that people with Covid who have had hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney, respiratory and neurological disease (and more) have died, been hospitalized and ended up in ICU yet these conditions are NOT on the Very High Risk list. 16/

This is important because if children/teachers etc. do not meet the VHR criteria they must go to school.
EVEN if a GP letter states differently.
EVEN if a person feels the workplace is unsafe.
EVEN if a person has multiple health conditions.
EVEN if a child is anxious. 17/

I also have evidence showing me GPS won't give VHR letters to patients who they themselves know would be extremely medically vulnerable/disabled.
This is because GPs must follow HSE protocols.
Since when did the HSE know about a patient than their than their own GP?
18/

I have talked to many devastated parents - they want their children safe AND educated. Some parents feel they have to choose between one sibling over another - how is this okay?
It is not about 'numbers':
Every single child's life matters.
Every person's life matters. 19/

Since when was it wrong for a parent to want their child to be safe from harm (illness), or to want to protect themselves and other family members too?
Since when did it become okay to put education over health, instead of on an equal par? 20/

A number of medically vulnerable teachers have told me they have had to take sick leave on reduced pay because they do not meet this 'criteria'.
Since when did it become okay to essentially 'force' medically vulnerable workers to go to work, or else face the consequences? 21/

At the end of the day, those comfortable with going to school/work during this time should do so.
BUT no parent, guardian or child should feel they have to put education or work over their health.
EVER.
Nor should any child be denied their legal & equal right to education. 22/

Lastly, comparing children to adults re: Covid doesn't sit right with me.
Children are more vulnerable, which is why they have specific legal rights. Physical health is as important as mental health. Children's rights groups should advocate for *all* children, not just some. 23/

P.S. If I come across angry, it is because I am.
I do not want any child to go through what my girls went/are going through because of Swine Flu in 2009.

Don't accuse me of scaremongering either - I am simply saying it as it is. Prevention is always better than cure.

End.

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