SARS/Cov2 "fire-break" in Wales

 The metaphor is unfortunate. An actual fire-break consists of clearing ground, often including controlled burning, ahead of a fire, not something one would want to extend to human lives. However, one must applaud the concept of a short but deep shock to the system while wishing that it had been applied earlier. 

Education minister Kirsty Williams has written:

As the virus has taken hold, I have said repeatedly that children would be our top priority and that education must continue. As a result, I have tried to keep disruption to education to a minimum: Primary schools and special schools will re-open after half term on Monday, November 2. Secondary schools will be open for children in years 7 and 8, whilst other pupils will continue their learning from home for that week. College students will also continue their learning from home for the week beginning November 2nd. Universities will continue to provide a blend of in person and online learning. We will be issuing guidance for the period which will include minimum expectations for learning. This will include teachers delivering online lessons from the classroom.

I would have liked to see an extra safety-first measure of extending the half-term holiday for a week, not for the sake of the children who it seems have more resistance to the disease the younger they are, but to protect teachers who are more vulnerable, not to mention any parents who have to meet. However, the eleven days when they will all be isolated from each other is probably enough to keep them safe.

When will the swithering government in Westminster take the same responsible decision for England?