📨UsforThem Inbox
Dear @nadhimzahawi
'As Ed. Sec. you should have the best interests of children as yr priority. Pls explain how children having yet again to endure the wearing of masks whilst at school is of any benefit to them... @BorisJohnson@sajidjavid@Conservatives
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...Most children who have CV19 suffer very mildly and recover well. The psychological damage you are enforcing with mask wearing is cruel and we are yet to learn the long term damage...Facial expression is hugely important for development, understanding and communication...
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...I am appalled to also read that whilst you announce the wearing of masks in schools you are attending an Awards ceremony without masks. This is a strong demonstration of contradictory behaviour, something that again is a cruel & disrespectful action towards our children...
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"Routine testing of children without symptoms is still interrupting children and teenagers’ school attendance and we do not believe this should continue. Instead, schoolchildren should be tested only if they have symptoms of COVID-19"
Dr Camilla Kingdon, RCPCH:
“We want schools to be enabled to rethink their approach to managing Covid. Children & teenagers need to focus on their education & school attendance must be encouraged without being interrupted by routine testing of asymptomatic children & teenagers"
In that letter we explained why requiring masks in class, for minimal or no proven benefit, and without having assessed the risks to children's health, welfare and educational experience, is irrational, disproportionate and unlawful; not to mention morally vacant.
So, school closures are back on the agenda and the "crunch meeting" between @educationgovuk and @10DowningStreet is today. So, before the inevitable tragic error is made for a second time, let's talk about the effects of #longschoolclosure
We will start with the obvious, loss of learning. School closures deny children from all backgrounds the chance to get the education they need to build a bright future. It is estimated that every day of school closure equates to 40,000 years of lost education.
Digital divide. Lack of access to the internet, suitable computers and teaching resources means many children are excluded from online learning.
Variations in access to tech, are increasing inequalities in both academic attainment and social engagement.