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1/ THREAD: With many schools going back on Monday and the infection rate now high across the country, we are concerned that parents who have blood cancer are not being considered in the Government’s decisions.
2/ Where schools are staying open, the Govt urgently needs to give advice and support for parents with who are vulnerable. This include ensuring high-quality home learning is in place, so children don’t fall behind if they have to stay at home to protect the health of a parent.
3/ We know that many parents with blood cancer are worried about their children going back. If you have blood cancer and live in an area where the infection rate is high, we think it is now worth considering keeping your children off school if you can.
4/ This is because people with blood cancer are at high risk from the coronavirus, and we are now at a point where the infection rate is very high and yet we are just weeks away from getting vulnerable people vaccinated.
5/ If this applies to you, then speak to your school to tell them your decision. No parent with blood cancer should feel under any pressure to send their children to school over the next few weeks if they think keeping them off is the right thing for their family.
6/ But we know this isn’t going to be possible for everyone, and people should be supported in making whatever is the right decision for their family and their personal circumstances.
7/ If you have blood cancer and it’s not practical to keep your child off school, then you can still reduce your risk from the virus by social distancing, mask-wearing, and good ventilation. There’s more about this on our website https://bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus-covid-19/looking-after-yourself-staying-home-shielding/schools-returning/
8/ We know the next few weeks will be very difficult for our community. Our support line is here if you need it – we’re on 0808 2080 888 between 10am and 7pm on weekdays and 10am to 1pm at weekends. ENDS
