• AT present, while the contamination rate of Covid-19 is slowly coming down, there is one place where rates are still increasing and responsible for the largest outbreaks – and that is schools.

We have closures and partial shutdowns of schools because of Covid-19 outbreaks and isolating staff. We have a smaller amount of staff battling to deal with increasing outbreaks while educating our students.

We are heading now into a relaxation of the coronavirus Covid-19 rules which will allow Christmas celebrations.

I urge the government to decide to shut all schools early (going online to teach) to allow a period of isolation before this relaxation, which could result in a spike in Covid-19 infections and increase in deaths of elderly members of families.

The government and the opposition must stop using school staff and students as a virility statement over the fight against coronavirus Covid-19 and listen to the scientific advice and those working in our schools.

Safety for workers and students in schools, their families, and extended families, should be the priority of all the politicians.

An early Christmas shutdown for schools is the least the government can do to prepare to limit the dangers of a further increase of infections and deaths after the Christmas break.

PAUL RENNY
Haringey Unison
Schools Convener