Coronavirus and football.

[ramAnag]

Over here in the Netherlands...... new instructions yesterday

1. any cold/flu-like symptons whatsoever, self isolate for 7 days
2. Temperature and a dry throat then call a special number, they will ask questions and, based on the answers, they will tell you to either self isolate or to go and get tested.
3. Only go out if absolutely necessary (work, shopping, fetching meds are about it)
4. work from home if at all possible
5. All gatherings/events/sports where 100 or more people would be present are hereby cancelled
6. Just in case you'd forgotten - wash your hands regularly

The exception from 5. above are Schools/Colleges/Uni. They can carry on as per usual. Most folk think it's because keeping kids home would prevent the parents from going to work and cripple the economy even further. The official line is that kids (unless they have pre-exisiting underlying medical conditions) aren't in the critical group like the old, the infirm, pregnant women etc. I think most folk have it right and the official line is wrong. Especially when you consider that healthy young uns getting the virus from school won't, in most cases, be in serious danger BUT.... they seem to have forgotten that the kids will go home to parents, grandparents etc and some of those will be at risk......

What I find scary is the lack of consistency and leadership. The advice of medical experts elsewhere in the World seems to conflict with those in the UK and at 5.00 pm yesterday we were told there was no need to take this step regarding sports events, while just 18 hours later there apparently is such a need!

The EFL seems, for once, to be displaying more common sense and leadership than the Government.

On a lighter note...I’ve taken more than my fair share of stick on here for having a teaching background. Some of it - GP etc - has just been good natured banter. Some of it - all water off a duck’s back - has been more malicious.
Either way...as the possibility of schools closing seems to be causing great consternation throughout the UK maybe some will now recognise the crucial part teachers play, not just in educating the young, but also in allowing the rest of society and the economy to function.
Perhaps Tricky and his mate may even recognise that teaching is a ‘proper job’ after all and one the economy seems dependent on for all sorts of reasons.

P.S. Currently investigating cancellation GP.

MA...surely visiting Amsterdam’s bars must be considered ‘absolutely necessary’ in your case.

[Geoff Parkstone]

So teachers are now just to be highly paid babysitters then

Perhaps this means that they should work until 5 to 6 pm like the rest of the workforce in order to further assist in the babysitting until the parents can come home from their jobs!!

Also, if schools close, will the teachers sacrifice their incredibly long summer holidays in order to run the schools for an extra few weeks to allow the kids to catch up on the work they have missed due to closure

[ramAnag]

So teachers are now just to be highly paid babysitterns then

Perhaps this means that they should work until 5 to 6 pm like the rest of the workforce in order to further assist in the babysitting until the parents can come home from their jobs!!

Also, if schools close, will the teachers sacrifice their incredibly long summer holidays in order to run the schools for an extra few weeks to allow the kids to catch up on the work they have missed due to closure

‘Highly paid baby sitters’? Hmmm...not sure how much you think baby sitters charge but try multiplying it by thirty or so ‘babies’ and then by seven hours. Not so ‘highly paid’, right?

They do! Not necessarily in the presence of pupils any more than all the work that doctors or accountants do is with their patients/clients.

Interesting one. In the U.S. they have to make up the time if there are more than a certain number of ‘snow days’ but then they have ridiculously long summer breaks anyway. Be interesting to hear the views of parents who’ve booked family summer holidays on that though. Sure all parents would be entirely accommodating!

[Geoff Parkstone]

It does also raise the spectre of end of year exams - many O and A (if I can use dated terminology) students will already be at the end of their "contact time" and at home on study leave, but how will the exams operate if it lasts that long? What about students that get the virus during the exams?

There are so many dynamics to this. I spent yesterday working on corona virus planning for a museum client shutdown. Looks like will need it this weekend. So many things to consider though

[AdiSalisbury]

I think you took the bait there RA.

Good thing about all this, is that we're probably all less likely to get I'll generally as hygiene standards are better than usual!

[ramAnag]

I think you took the bait there RA.

Lol...probably. He sometimes seems to forget he’s a woodwork teacher!

[ramAnag]

Season’s restart postponed till no earlier than April 30th now. Still optimistic to anticipate crowds being possible by then, imo.

[swaledale]

I think the most likely scenario is matches behind closed doors to start and then maybe allow fans in if the situation improves.

[MadAmster]

I think the most likely scenario is matches behind closed doors to start and then maybe allow fans in if the situation improves.

... with games on pay per view (RamsTV, iFollow etc) if crowds aren't allowed in.

[swaledale]

... with games on pay per view (RamsTV, iFollow etc) if crowds aren't allowed in.

That would seem to be a solution though there are worries that fans will turn up outside grounds where games are being played as happened with PSG.