School closures

[rov1200]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8160314.stm

The government may close schools in the Autumn to allow the transmission of the flu virus to abate before the introduction of the vaccine. Is the government doing enough to prevent further deaths and should the schools be closed?

[Booldawg]

As long as they can explain to my employers why I'm taking an extra 6 weeks off work this year on full pay!

[sqad617]

Yes, the schools should be closed....will that stop the spread of H1N1?...probably not.......will it contain the spread? hopefully.

I cannot fault the Government in any way in facing up to the challenges of this virus except to say that it was wrong of them to promise the vaccine for the end of August.

[another-view]

Everyone's gonna get it eventually. It's not the killer that people are making it out to be.

You've as much chance trying to avoid catching cold than avoiding this.

[Gromit]

Schools should be closed, but it looks like the Government are concerned about the cost to the economy of a prolonged school holiday.

The Government is unlikely to keep schools closed in the autumn as it would be "too disruptive" despite scientists claiming it could cut the number of swine flu cases by up to 45 per cent.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_styl e/health/article6721497.ece

[youngmafbog]

What's the point of keeping schools closed. Are they also going to stop the parents from commuting, going to footie, shopping in supermarkets?

The real howler with this virus is the mis information, not always from the Government either. Truth is many more die of the common flu so just let it run its cours.

Of course we could ban cars too, afterall 5000 a year killed on them.

We need to get a perspective.

[another-view]

exactly! it's a load of panic over nothing.

[Gromit]

youngmafbog

Just being pedantic, but annual road deaths were below 3000 last year.

[danchip]

if they do close the schools what are the kids going to do with the extra time off,

they will go to the park/cinema/shops etc and meet up with their friends who they would of seen at school anyway

[DEN53]

I think closing the schools longer than the 6/7 weeks summer holiday will cause more deaths - not from the virus, but the poor Mums having nervous breakdowns trying to cope with the kids home longer !!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[Lonnie]

Closing schools won't help, are parents going to keep their children indoors for the duration of this thing?, I doubt it.

Personal hygiene is the answer,

[socket2008]

The outbreak won't be contained. Having spoken to a couple of employer friends they have said they will expect employees in regardless.

[Ice.Maiden]

I don't think it IS a panic about nothing. These latest suggestions weren't implemented when bird and other strains of flu hit our shores, so it's my personal opinion that the powers that be perhaps know a little more than they're letting on. They don't want mass panic breaking out.
Goodness knows what people are going to do if schools remain closed for up to a further 3 months as has been talked about. People still have to go out, unless they lock themselves away and have their groceries delivered, etc., but then - no one'll be at work to prepare the orders if they're all forced to stay at home because they have children to see to. : (

[blackietwo]

I know this aint an answer but another question. Why do think they called it swine flu? I know it had something to do with a pig farm, I think they should have called it Mexican flu, Swine flu makes it sound worse and people panic more. Good old fashioned name like Hong Kong flu

[ladybird49]

Same here Booldawg ..

[Ice.Maiden]

Here, blackietwo - this'll explain about it..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_influenza

[Totterdown]

According to reports, those that have died had other complications too. Every year hundred of people die of ordinary flu. We need to keep this in perspective.

[sqad617]

totterdown.....yes, yes, but can't you see the difference?

With H1N1 the deaths are in children and the lower age group...20-40yr olds

With seasonal flu it is the elderly.

This latest case with "supposedly" tonsillitis and H1N1 is very suspicious as the tonsillitis causing septic shock as a predisposing cause of death is very "iffy" in my opinion.

[Lonnie]

The difference is that the Goverment is creating panic, on purpose.

I believe it was Alan Johnson that said it was more dangerous than terrorism.

[rov1200]

The government are in a complete shambles about this. They did not enough precautions at the beginning and now we are the 3rd worst country in the world for infection. They could have set up holding centres for visitors. China points a internet thermometer at incoming plane passengers to see if they have a temperature. Only takes a second.

To cap it all they are returning schoolchildren from France and China has put more British into quarantine. Our government couldn't run a whelk stall. Talk about cost with 90 million doses of Tamilflu on order plus vaccination for us all don't come cheap especially at �6 per jab.

[sqad617]

rov.......wrong.

The Government have got it right........the public have got it wrong.

The UK is a filthy place, with a, by and large, filthy population, plus the fact the public have treated H1N1 with scant respect...........see ABers comments.


Blame the people...NOT...the Government.