While no conclusions can be drawn from the uncontrollable coronavirus rollercoaster, it does appear that confirmed cases of the virus in Salford are slowing, with the latest tally of 874 cases up by just eight from the previous day's 866 cases.
The number of cases in Greater Manchester also seem to be slowing, with Manchester now recording 1,349 cases (up from 1,334), followed by Stockport 971 (up from 963), Wigan 1,005 (up from 998), Oldham 957 (up from 943), Bolton 904 (up from 903), Trafford 691 (up from 687), Rochdale 670 (up from 666), Bury 649 (up from 642) and Tameside 550 (up from 549).
As usual, these trends should be viewed with caution because they could be more to do with testing reports and delays than anything else. Salford Royal Hopsital also announced that there have been no further deaths from the virus.
Meanwhile, a poll of over one thousand parents, commissioned by teachers' union, the National Education Union, or NEU, found that one third, or 33%, do not immediately plan to send their children back to school once measures are relaxed.
The parents supported the general closure of schools (86%), keeping schools open to disadvantaged children (81%), the suspending of Ofsted inspections (80%) and the cancelling of GCSE and A-Level exams (65%).
Overall, 92% of parents agreed that the closure of schools has been an important factor in containing coronavirus. 90% of those polled have kept their child at home in light of lockdown requirements, the remainder being key workers or parents of a child with vulnerability needs.
Most also agreed with the tests that must be in place before schools opened...that the Covid-19 new case count must be much lower than it is now, with a sustained downward trend (82%); that extensive arrangements for testing and contact tracing must be in place (77%); that scientific or medical evidence show that it is safe for children to return to school (84%); and that Covid-19 testing for all children and staff at a child's school is conducted (67%).
When asked if teachers should have to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when schools re-open, 59% agreed.
Parents also expressed a reluctance to send their children back to school as soon as it re-opens. Just under half (49%) said they would, with a third of the total sample (33%) intending to delay the return. These views were consistent across primary and secondary sectors.
"With an aspiration to open schools more widely in less than three weeks from now, the Prime Minister is squandering a great deal of parental goodwill" says Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union "The NEU has supported the lockdown, but the past few days have revealed the Government's garbled approach to the next phase.
"In his haste to use schools as a symbol of recovery, the Prime Minister has merely succeeded in revealing the incoherence at the heart of his strategy" she explains "His 'sketch' must be redrawn.
"Now that the Prime Minister has set himself on a course out of lockdown, he needs to act fast to reassure unions, school staff and parents that when schools do open it will only be when our shared and widespread concerns for personal safety are fully met" she adds.
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