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Today’s React 1 COVID survey results make the strongest case for a phased re-opening of schools to full pupil intakes. A ‘big bang’ reopening on 8th March, with the current high rates of infection and hospitalisation, would jeopardise full and sustained school reopening.
Professor Michael McIntyre, CMO Northern Ireland, says that schools contribute between 0.3 to 0.6 of the R rate. So all measures to suppress viral transmission in schools, or associated with school opening (parents congregating at school gates) must be taken.
The @DfE guidance on COVID safety measures in schools has to be fit for purpose and must take into account the increased transmission rates of new variants in order to keep education staff safe and community transmission levels as low as possible.
Sorry - should have made clear that the React 1 study shows that whilst infection levels are falling (v.good) they are highest in 18 - 24 year olds and primary school children (5 - 12 years).
We keep being told that there is an absence of evidence of where transmission occurs - within school or around school (e.g. travel to and from school). Frankly this isn’t good enough. An effective test track and trace system would have given us this essential information.
We know that schools are vitally important for children, young people, their parents and our communities. Everyone wants them to be opened in a safe and sustainable way so let’s make that happen. Take the science seriously and act upon it.
