The British government said Thursday that it would begin offering coronavirus tests for children aged 11-18 in the worst-affected parts of London and southeast England to try to cut a rise in infections. UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was “particularly concerned” about a spike in cases in London, and parts of the counties of Kent and Essex that border the British capital.
He told a news conference that the data showed the biggest jump among children of secondary school age, which could have a knock-on effect in older people in the weeks to come.
“We need to take targeted action immediately,” he told reporters.
Month-long coronavirus restrictions were eased across England earlier this month, but unlike during the three-month UK-wide lockdown in late March, schools remained open. Mobile testing units will be sent to the affected areas to test children, whether or not they have symptoms of COVID-19.
This should have been done way back in September on the first day back to school. It cannot be a coincidence that infection rates started to climb in September at the same time, when the children went back.
I think it is stating the obvious. I went for a meal with my wife after the first lockdown. Everything was one way socially distanced. Then I watched the children go back to school. No social distancing from parents, chats outside the school gates etc and I thought and they say restaurants are spreaders!
All they ever ranted on about was howsafe it was for the children to attend school and that they would not get seriously ill. Absolutely no mention that it would be safe to adults for them to attend school, yet the evidence was out there that children could and did spread the virus. I wonder if they will release the data of these test results, or will it just be buried.
I so agree with this. One of my daughters is a teacher and caught Covid back in March. She is terrified of catching it again. She teaches reception class and 5 year olds do NOT social distance!!
How are they going to get this done in a week and a half?1 Should have been done much, much earlier and should be compulsory. There is going to be such a spike after Christmas and I fear they worst for grandparents xx
If they had any sense all the schools and colleges, not just London, would break up now so the kids can isolate until xmas. My teacher son in law was in despair at the way people were behaving.
The thing I don't understand is that they sent the children home to isolate if they've been in contact with someone but there is no requirement to have a test before they return. My son and his family have been shielding since March because he had a kidney transplant. His youngest son is just finishing isolation after testing positive and now his wife, who works at the same school, has tested positive. To say I'm cross is possibly an understatement.
None of this was necessary! They were never interested in the kids education it was to get the parents back to work and the economy going again. As for the poor uni students! Did they seriously think the kids at 18+ were not going to attend freshers week and take advantage of their new found freedom. Did they close bars and clubs in these cities to deter them from meeting and socialising en masse? Did they heck! It was just easier to blame the youngsters after the fact and then treat them as paying prisoners. National disgrace and as for Gavin Williamson, don't get me started on him!!
They are alleging that every aspect of our society, one by one, is to blame for their own incompetence. At the outset of this crisis, nobody could have been more behind this government than me! Yes I admit it! It's not that I was a Tory supporter but that I took on board they were elected and they had my support in that this crisis was unprecedented and were doing the best they could. I have however, changed my mind very gradually over these preceding months and that they have only followed the science up to a point. What I don't like is the blame game, and the Tories have always had a horrible track record for that!
I'm afraid this present bunch are nothing like your old style gentlemen Tories. Not only incompetant but given to cronism. Grrrrrr! Glad someone agrees with me.
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London Smog.....
