Sunderland families have their say on children returning to school after coronavirus lockdown

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to address the nation on Sunday, May 10 and reveal more information about ‘the new normal’ and how things will reopen following weeks of lockdown restrictions.

In our Facebook poll, we asked: “Are you ready to send your children back to school in June if that is the guidance when lockdown measures are eased?”

At time of writing, 72% of 2,000 voters answered no.

Some parents raised concerns about the number of deaths still occuring within those who have contracted the virus, and the practicalities of sending children back to class just weeks ahead of the six-week summer break.

Here’s what you had to say on the Sunderland Echo Facebook page:

Lyndsey Richardson: “I get that people miss family and friends but I would rather mine be safe, well and alive! As for sending kids back to school in June … all of this would have been for nothing! People are still dying from the virus!”

Marg Tony Cordero: “This has to be 100% safe before sending back to school. Which I see very unlikely until the end of the year. Better safe than sorry!”

Joanna Hindmarsh: “September at the earliest in my own opinion (colleges) and maybe the end of year for primaries.”

Gary Thompson: “We are currently in a lockdown situation, and almost 30,000 people have died … to release this would be insane.”

Tracey Baker: “Far too soon to reopen. We have come this far I will not jeopardise them or myself!”

Marc Hope: “What's the point if they're closing for summer anyway?”

Michelle Louise: “No way on earth [are] my kids are going back until all [of] this is over.”

Billy Robinson: “More like September.”

Donna Wilkinson: “Definitely not until this virus has gone away.”

Selina Stewart: “Definitely not it is to soon. Opening up a whole can of worms and even higher rate again to now kids going from home to school, teachers around kids possibly carrying it, then going home to their families.”

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