I don't think comparisons with ebola are helpful either. Ebola is a far less contagious but ruthlessly efficient killing machine much more easily managed by sealing off areas. It also is only spreadable when people have symptoms

Originally Posted by: Chidog 

Three of the year groups are (11, 12 and 13, or the 16-18 year olds), but the younger year groups less so.

That said, they'll be able to figure it out easily enough. As has been overheard a fair bit, the Google Web apps are like "retro" versions of Word, Excel etc.

It's worth noting as well that when we've made big changes (XP > 7 > 10, Office 2003 > 2007 and onwards) none of the pupils seem to struggle. Some of the staff, on the other hand...

(The staff were being given lessons on it yesterday and today during their "Planning, Prep, Assement" time.)

As I understand it, most schools will be using something like Google or a smaller Virtual Learning Environment. I'm impressed, though, that it's not leaked into the public domain until now! (There have been stories about rolling out e-learning in the local rags, but no mention of that they've been told to do it by the government.)

Originally Posted by: Retron 

This could well be China's great opportunity. Just as they are coming out of this, the west are diving deeper and deeper into trouble. Watch their offers of help going to Africa and friendly nations.

Originally Posted by: warrenb 

Again I don't understand what is going on. Van Kerkhove at the WHO has just strongly suggested that cases in Asia have peaked, although it will be important to keep on top of things to prevent future increases. However, we are hearing Whitty and Vallance talking about 60% of the UK population going down with this to achieve herd immunity. The difference is cases in the UK amounting to 50,000 and 35 million. 

Edit: Ryan at the WHO has just said the key lesson from Ebola is the "need to act quickly" and "speed trumps perfection". The UK government is out of line with this IMO.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

To be fair to them, China sent a team of 9 doctors in Italy and medical supplies including 1.8 million masks to Italy and Spain. 'We' did nothing to help them at their hour of need, in fact many people doubted their data or indulged in conspiracy theories.

Originally Posted by: xioni2 

 To  be clear, I'm not trying to downplay   what is going on here but making yourself stressed only weakens your body's   defences and  serves no useful purpose.  For most people in reasonable health, personally,  this is likley to be a non event and getting stressed out is not going to  change the actuality one iota.

Originally Posted by: Bugglesgate 

This is an aspect that hasn't really been discussed much.  We have wall-to-wall mainstream media coverage of this - and all kinds of half truths, manufactured garbage, misinterpretation  and the output of "wind-up merchants" on Social Media.

As bad as the situation may be about to get, it will be augmented by widespread panic and people demanding the emergency services for mild symptoms (the kind of thing they wouldn't  bat an eyelid at in normal circumstances).  Add to that psychosomatic illness, nervous breakdowns and high levels of stress.    Is  being "stressed out of your head"   going to affect you driving  ?    Are there going to be more accidents  becuase peoples minds are wandering elsewhere ?

This is a massive topic in its own right, aside from the core story of the unfolding pandemic.

To those of a nervous disposition, I would strongly advice avoiding threads like this one and  aspects of Social Media dealing  with  Coronavirus.  Also swerve the "wall-to-wall"  24-7  news coverage.  Keep up-to-date by visiting the official Govt.  pages periodically and get on with your life.  Go for a run or a walk or do a spot of gardening instead of  being glued to a doom laden screen.

To  be clear, I'm not trying to downplay   what is going on here but making yourself stressed only weakens your body's   defences and  serves no useful purpose.  For most people in reasonable health, personally,  this is likley to be a non event and getting stressed out is not going to  change the actuality one iota.

Originally Posted by: Bugglesgate 

Edit: Ryan at the WHO has just said the key lesson from Ebola is the "need to act quickly" and "speed trumps perfection". The UK government is out of line with this IMO.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

Italy report 250 new deaths and 2,116 new cases

Total cases 14,955 with 1,266 deaths

Originally Posted by: Gavin D 

The herd immunity threshold, wherever it is (50-60-70-80%) is just the point where you minimise the risk of further epidemics.  

I guess the ideal outcome is that we achieve herd immunity via immunisation not widespread Covid-19 illness.  But that means we have the next year or so to get through.

Originally Posted by: Gandalf The White 

Wishes of the people in late April 2020

Originally Posted by: xioni2 

Just got back in from one of the most draining afternoons of my 12-year time at the school.

It involved the head, a deputy head and an assistant head, and us 3 IT folks, beavering away on getting Google Classroom up and running. The framework was already there, but populating it, allocating teachers to the 859 different classes that we have and fixing the problems that cropped up was mentally exhausting. (The school didn't seem to realise until today just how handy it is having staff who can handily write scripts in different languages, while juggling SQL queries... fun, but utterly shattering to do.)

While this was going on, all 1700 pupils were being marched in and out of IT rooms to make sure they had their Google login details.

The reason for all this? We'd been told the head of the trust had ordered e-learning to be fully set up for the weekend, with letters going out to parents. Once it became apparent that we'd have to wait for a final sync and bits would just have to wait until Monday (the tool we use takes 5 hours+!) then the full thing came out...

This is from the head herself - the Government has issed an edict to all schools that they MUST have e-learning set up, or "work from home" plans, in place today. They also have to notify parents that this has been done today. It seems they're still planning a shut down but are saying nothing publicly to avoid causing panic.

I suspect there will be other plans afoot as well, but I don't have any info on those!

EDIT: The government edict was issued to every school in the land yesterday. Only heads are meant to know about it, apparently!

Originally Posted by: Retron 

A nice soundbite, however if you listened to the CSO and CMO you will see the decisions and advice are not political but based on what is seen as the best approach to try to “flatten the curve” to prevent overload of the NHS. Whether non-experts agree that is the best approach is a different issue. 

Originally Posted by: doctormog 

Italy report 250 new deaths and 2,116 new cases

Total cases 17,660 with 1,266 deaths

Originally Posted by: Gavin D 

Italy report 250 new deaths and 2,116 new cases

Total cases 17,660 with 1,266 deaths

Originally Posted by: Gavin D 

Secondary schools, right?

Originally Posted by: SJV