Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie called on the Government today to reopen primary schools after half term, arguing that remote learning was affecting children’s mental health. UK schools remain closed to most pupils during lockdown 3, offering remote learning instead to all but the vulnerable and the children of key workers. With the UK exceeding 100,000 Covid deaths for the first time, the Government has indicated its schools policy will not change before the easter half term, but Mrs Baillie said she wanted kids back in school after the break. “It is more important than ever and we need to hear about my Stroud dad who contacted me because he is so desperately worried about the mental health of his children being at home all day and parents that are contacting me on Instagram,” Mrs Baillie told parliament.
Yesterday, Patel announced £800 penalty for people at gatherings of 15 or more
Fines will double in amount for each repeat offence, up to maximum of £6,400
But Deborah Lee, hospital in Gloucestershire, has said it sends a mixed message
Celebrities have also hit out at measure including Piers Morgan and Gary Lineker
Hosts of illegal parties and raves are already eligible for fines of up to £10,000
The coronavirus pandemic, at least the monitoring and reporting of it, has seen a huge focus on numbers, lots of them. Big ones and small ones, but all mostly negative.
We have got used to hearing each day an array of figures, including daily case rates, death rates, admissions, tier levels and the government’s former favourite, the R number. As we know only too well, these have all gone up and down in line with the so-called waves and surges of the pandemic.
For example, on Tuesday it was reported that a further 1,610 people had died in the UK within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test, the biggest figure in a single day since the pandemic began.