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UNISON Calls for Schools to Be Allowed to Close Early to Fight Omicron Spread

by Luke Perry
16 December 2021 4:59 PM

The trade union group UNISON has said that allowing schools to close early will halt the transmission of the Omicron variant. While the union has stopped short of demanding that schools be closed, it has called for more measures to be imposed on the classroom, such as mask mandates. The Express has the story.

Schools have been at the centre of countless restrictive measures over the past two years, with pupils suffering major disruption to their education thanks to decisions made by the Government and promoted by key unions. The emergence of the Omicron variant has reignited calls for measures that would further such disruption.

UNISON insists that schools should be allowed to close early “without the fear of Government criticism” to reduce the spread of the variant.

It has argued allowing schools to shut ahead of schedule in the run-up to the end of term would benefit both parents and teachers.

It said: “Allowing schools to close early this week would reduce the risk of Omicron transmission, make Christmas less stressful for families and give staff more time to get their boosters.”

UNISON claims to represent more education staff than any other U.K. trade union.

A spokesperson for the group told the Express that while “we don’t want to see schools close”, new measures are needed to prevent further disruption.

It has called for the return of face masks in secondary school classrooms, as well as the return of “bubbles”.

The union is also pushing ministers to send air filtration devices to all schools before the New Year to help temper the spread of the virus when – or if – pupils return to the classroom.

UNISON’s Head of Education, Mike Short, said in a statement: “Stopping the virus in its tracks and keeping pupils and communities safe should be a top priority.

“Action now will help cut family stress levels this Christmas.”

Short added that, along with the other measures proposed by the union, the return to schools after Christmas should be staggered.

He said: “Bubbles must come back, and pupils shouldn’t all return at once on the same day in January.”

This came as England’s Chief Medical Officer branded Omicron a “really serious threat”.

Chris Whitty told a press conference on Wednesday: “The how big a threat – there are several things we don’t know, but all the things that we do know are bad.”

Worth reading in full.

Tags: Mask MandatesOmicron VariantSchools

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145 Comments
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Annie
Annie
4 years ago

As a non-subscriber,I was able to read the beginning of the Times piece by Dear Ickle Grovelling Janice, who, when asked by some shop dork to put on face knickers, immediately complies with gabbled apologies.
Janice, you are what is wrong with this country. Go bury yourself, still in your filthy knickers.

15
0
karenovirus
karenovirus
4 years ago
Reply to  Annie

Hi Annie, is that really you ?

Just finished your piece, yes I think it is, welcome back.

5
0
Annie
Annie
4 years ago
Reply to  karenovirus

Never been away, but principal place of residence is now Reddit.

2
0
karenovirus
karenovirus
4 years ago

From the roundup.
Vaccine permit to visit the pub ?

As a young and middle aged man I spent part of most evenings in the pub, not to get pissed but to socialise and keep in contact with friends (and meet new ones!) before the internet.

During lockdown Lite, ie last summer + going into Tiers, I went out of my way to patronise local pubs and licenced eateries especially those that kept Track’n’Trace to a minimum.
I can now live without pubs and nightclubs so stuff their ‘permit’ though I will attempt entry now and then just to prove my point.

Todays youngsters were already having less sex and visiting pubs less often as a result of growing up on t’interweb, lockdown has reinforced this.
Bye Bye wet pubs but that always was the aim of Alcohol Concern and the like.

11
0
Bella Donna
Bella Donna
4 years ago
Reply to  karenovirus

The Big Reset. Close all pubs, stop holidaying abroad, stay home and don’t socialise. Only those considered important will be allowed to do what we used to take for granted.

5
-1
karenovirus
karenovirus
4 years ago
Reply to  Bella Donna

Meanwhile the offspring of rest will be left wondering why their oldies used to actually enjoy travelling abroad and going to the pub ‘to do what exactly’ ?

2
0
karenovirus
karenovirus
4 years ago

From the roundup
‘Health Security body gives UK Protective Shield’.
It’s from Hancock so obviously bollocks. I don’t require yet more life unenhancing interventions in the name of Public Health (ie medico facism).

A mishmash of PHE, Track’n’Trace, the JBC and various failed individuals. I suspect its real aim is to wrest (?) control of Public Health policy from the provinces back to Whitehall.

Good luck with fight but let’s get the popcorn out.

Last edited 4 years ago by karenovirus
8
0
steve_w
steve_w
4 years ago
Reply to  karenovirus

I can’t wait until the circular firing squad/blame game/throwing each under under buses. Govt, PHE, SAGE, media. Who lied to who? Who gets the ultimate blame? There isn’t enough popcorn in the world. I expect Anders Tegnell to be investing heavily in corn share futures

6
0
Spearthrower Owl
Spearthrower Owl
4 years ago
Reply to  karenovirus

sounds like nothing more than pricey “rebranding” to me – same old same old but 4 under one umbrella. Rearranging the deckchairs on the titanic springs to mind.

3
0
Annie
Annie
4 years ago
Reply to  Spearthrower Owl

A Titanic that goes actively looking for icebergs to hurl itself against.

2
0
karenovirus
karenovirus
4 years ago

Welcome aboard Ben.

After 12 months ‘opposition’ to the bozo, hancock van tam claque by demanding ‘Sooner, Harsher, Longer Lockdown’ veteran Labour MP for Exter Ben Bradshaw has announced that he will not be voting to renew the Coronovirus legislation because

‘Police State’.

They say a leopard cannot change its spots. Watch this space.

Pic h/t Radio Exe.

20210325_064340.jpg
Last edited 4 years ago by karenovirus
8
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Fingerache Philip
Fingerache Philip
4 years ago
Reply to  karenovirus

The “pubs” have bemoaned for years about the number that close, week in and week out.
If they insist on face nappies and vaccine “passports” then they must have a “mass” suicide wish.

14
0
karenovirus
karenovirus
4 years ago
Reply to  Fingerache Philip

A few weeks into the current lockdown the landlord of my unlovely local pub was reduced to selling tins of unused mixed vegetables and even what appeared to be soft coverings from the limited exterior smoking area.

Whether this was to assist the newly destitute or to raise a few quid to feed himself was not at all clear.

6
0
karenovirus
karenovirus
4 years ago

From the roundup

‘I’m Janice, get me out of here !’

Free yourself, stupid bitch. You appear to have benefitted from an enhanced education and from the way you describe your own behaviour you have no faith in lockdown regulations yet the moment you are challenged you kop out and cave in.

No-one is gonna save You Janice, you have to save yourself with your privileged resources.

8
0
Annie
Annie
4 years ago
Reply to  karenovirus

Couldn’t agree more. Bumsucking little twat she is.

2
0
karenovirus
karenovirus
4 years ago
Reply to  Annie

I hadn’t noticed your post about her first Annie.

0
0
karenovirus
karenovirus
4 years ago

Cameron Covid Conperson ?

Guardian has it all.

20210325_071153.jpg
4
0
DanClarke
DanClarke
4 years ago

pub owner friend of mine has said after what the government have done to his industry, he spent a fortune ‘making it safe’ only to have it shut again, that anyone is welcome, he needs to make some money. Plus friends who dashed off to get their jab thinking it would get them a holiday this year are feeling angry. The backlash is still to come.

18
0
steve_w
steve_w
4 years ago

papers for the pub

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56517486#comments

sort by best rated comments and you will see the worm is finally turning 🙂

7
0
Bella Donna
Bella Donna
4 years ago
Reply to  steve_w

I will not be visiting any establishment that requires I show my ‘papers’ before being allowed in. As much as I enjoy going to my local pub I’ll continue drinking at home.

6
0
steve_w
steve_w
4 years ago

I’m struggling a bit today with asymptomatic long lockdown.

11
0
Lucan Grey
Lucan Grey
4 years ago

If we are to have vaccine passports are we also to have HIV test passports too?

If not why not?

If one is ethical, so is the other.

8
0
steve_w
steve_w
4 years ago
Reply to  Lucan Grey

maybe ‘STD free’ tattoos

4
0
Nissan Gnat
Nissan Gnat
4 years ago

Health Security body gives UK Protective Shield – Launching on 1st April is all we need to know

4
0
DanClarke
DanClarke
4 years ago
Reply to  Nissan Gnat

Is it an April Fool?

3
0
Nissan Gnat
Nissan Gnat
4 years ago
Reply to  DanClarke

Correct

3
0
Cheezilla
Cheezilla
4 years ago
Reply to  DanClarke

Perennial fool probably.

0
0
eastender53
eastender53
4 years ago

For some reason my Reddit has ‘lost’ the Lockdown Sceptics group. Can anyone point me to it?

0
0
Cheezilla
Cheezilla
4 years ago
Reply to  eastender53

https://www.reddit.com/r/LockdownSceptics/

0
0

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