Staggered entrances and shifts, spaced out desks, divided classes, shorter hours: amid fears, controversies, the defections of many municipalities and families, England begins to reopen its primary schools after 10 weeks of lockdown and a tragic death toll for coronavirus. The scholastic recovery took place in a leopard spot, currently limited to some classes: the first two years and the sixth of the primary school. A "cautious" little step towards normalcy swears Boris Johnson's government; but preceded by the resistance of the trade unions, alarmed by the health of teachers and students against the background of the rate only partially falling on the island.
A fear evidently shared also by many parents (including some among the many Italians transplanted to London) who decided to keep their children at home: 46% of the total according to a survey, at least among those who are not forced to return to work . In absolute terms, it means the lump sum of about one million children, on the audience initially envisaged by the Johnson government, worried not to aggravate social inequalities (closed schools mainly weigh on the poorest) and convinced by part of its scientific consultants that the risk of infection at school is all in all low. Despite some difficulties and setbacks, unavoidable after such a long stop, the return to class took place however with a certain order in the story of various witnesses. Also thanks to the safety measures provided by the authorities: from the maximum number of 15 students per class, to the inputs (and outputs) deferred over time, from the temperature recorded at each arrival, to the spacing of the desks (two meters). On the other hand, no mask requirement, the use of which remains optional. A standard that within a couple of weeks should also be extended to the first high schools, as part of the plan of gradually easing the general lockdown. But not all are aligned: over 20 municipalities, especially in Northern England, have advised against the reopening of schools, accusing the government of hasty recklessness. "I understand the anxieties of the parents who have chosen to send their children to school, as well as the fears of those who preferred to keep them at home - Martin Kincaid, principal of St Augustine in London, also attended by Italian children, told ANSA. We have done our utmost for safety, but an element of risk remains however minimal. We must learn to live with it ".