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UK coronavirus live: face covering rules for students should be kept under review, says union UK coronavirus live: secondary school pupils in Scotland should wear face coverings from Monday
(32 minutes later)
Association of School and College Leaders says government should review guidance after World Health Organisation says children 12 and over should wear masks Guidance on masks in Scotland will not be mandatory, while in England union says government should review guidance
Scotland’s education minister John Swinney has announced that all secondary pupils should wear face coverings in corridors and communal areas from next Monday.
The measure applies to all high schools but Swinney added that nobody should be sent home for not wearing a mask.
Swinney told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland: “This is not going to be mandatory. We are recommending this is what should be done and we will encourage schools to pursue that as part of the work to maintain safety within schools. It’s about making sure that everybody is looking out for each other.”
Yesterday, the Scottish government said that it had been consulting councils and teaching organisations about the measure after face coverings were recommended for secondary schools by the World Health Organization at the weekend.
WHO said face coverings were useful where physical distancing between adults and pupils aged 12 and over was impossible, or in areas of high transmission.
Alok Sharma, the business secretary, said school staff or young people would not be penalised for wearing facemasks when schools reopen, although the advice is that they are currenty not necessary.
Speaking on the Radio 4 Today porgramme, Sharma said that the government has followed scientific and medical advice.
“Public Health England does not recommend at the moment [facemasks] in schools... We are always considering the latest advice and evidence but the current advice is that it is not recommended.”
When asked if people would be penalised for wearing them, he said this would not happen. “It’s about what makes sense. We have seen recent surveys from the ONS showing high level of confidence in terms of pupils returning safe settings in schools.”
He said that the focus was opening up the economy in a phased and “cautious manner, getting businesses up and running.”
When asked about whether the government would offer financial support to those who may need to quarantine and therefore lose wages, he said they “look at all suggestions” they receive.
“The key thing though is the best way we can restart the economy is by opening up in cautious manner,” he repeated.
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has said the first volunteers have now been dosed in its clinical trial of a new drug to help prevent and treat Covid-19.
The group, which is also separately developing a Covid-19 vaccine together with scientists at Oxford University, said the drug - known as AZD7442 - is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies.
AstraZeneca said the trial, which will include up to 48 healthy volunteers in the UK aged 18 to 55, will look at the safety of the treatment, as well as the body’s reaction to the drug and how it processes it.
The Cambridge-headquartered group said the phase 1 clinical trial is an “important milestone” in the development of the drug, which has the potential to act as a preventative for people exposed to the virus, as well as to treat patients already infected with Covid-19.
A so-called monoclonal antibody combination works by mimicking the body’s natural antibodies.
The antibodies come from patients infected with coronavirus and were discovered by Vanderbilt University Medical Centre and then licensed to AstraZeneca in June.
Astra then boosts the combined antibodies so that they “afford at least six months of protection from Covid-19”.
Mene Pangalos, executive vice-president of biopharmaceuticals research and development at Astra, said: “This trial is an important milestone in the development of our monoclonal antibody combination to prevent or treat Covid-19.
“This combination of antibodies, coupled to our proprietary half-life extension technology, has the potential to improve both the effectiveness and durability of use, in addition to reducing the likelihood of viral resistance.”
If the trial is successful, Astra said it would look to move the treatment to late-stage phase 2 and phase 3 trials.The trial is being funded by the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
It comes after Downing Street said on Monday the UK would be first in line for the coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and Astra, once approved.This followed reports that Donald Trump was considering granting emergency authorisation for it to be fast-tracked in the US.
The Guardian has been writing about those who lost their lives from Covid-19.The Guardian has been writing about those who lost their lives from Covid-19.
Hong Kong scientists reported of a healthy man in his 30s who became reinfected with coronavirus after falling sick to it months earlier.Hong Kong scientists reported of a healthy man in his 30s who became reinfected with coronavirus after falling sick to it months earlier.
They say genome sequencing shows the two strains of the virus are “clearly different”, making it the world’s first proven case of reinfection.They say genome sequencing shows the two strains of the virus are “clearly different”, making it the world’s first proven case of reinfection.
But the World Health Organization warned it is important not to jump to conclusions based on the case of one patient.But the World Health Organization warned it is important not to jump to conclusions based on the case of one patient.
Dr Jeffrey Barrett, senior scientific consultant for the Covid-19 genome project at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: “Given the number of global infections to date, seeing one case of reinfection is not that surprising even if it is a very rare occurrence.Dr Jeffrey Barrett, senior scientific consultant for the Covid-19 genome project at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: “Given the number of global infections to date, seeing one case of reinfection is not that surprising even if it is a very rare occurrence.
“It may be that second infections, when they do occur, are not serious - though we don’t know whether this person was infectious during their second episode.”“It may be that second infections, when they do occur, are not serious - though we don’t know whether this person was infectious during their second episode.”
A leading member of the Oxford university team trying to find a vaccine for coronavirus has not ruled it out being ready for this winter.A leading member of the Oxford university team trying to find a vaccine for coronavirus has not ruled it out being ready for this winter.
The trials ongoing around the world hope to involve around 50,000 people and he said if cases accrue rapidly in clinical trials they could present data to regulators this year.The trials ongoing around the world hope to involve around 50,000 people and he said if cases accrue rapidly in clinical trials they could present data to regulators this year.
It comes after Chief Medical Officer for England, Chris Witty, suggested that a vaccine will most reasonably be ready next winter or in the one after.It comes after Chief Medical Officer for England, Chris Witty, suggested that a vaccine will most reasonably be ready next winter or in the one after.
Andrew Pollard, professor of paediatric infection and immunity at Oxford university, said: “I think Chris Witty is right to be cautious, it could take as long as that to demonstrate that the vaccine works and is safe and then we have to go through a process of regulators looking at that to make sure it is done correctly. But if cases accrue rapidly in clinical trials we could have data to put before regulators this year,” he said.Andrew Pollard, professor of paediatric infection and immunity at Oxford university, said: “I think Chris Witty is right to be cautious, it could take as long as that to demonstrate that the vaccine works and is safe and then we have to go through a process of regulators looking at that to make sure it is done correctly. But if cases accrue rapidly in clinical trials we could have data to put before regulators this year,” he said.
Andrew Pollard, professor of paediatric infection and immunity at Oxford university – one of the lead researchers on its vaccine trial – has said that if coronavirus cases accrue rapidly at clinical trial stage they could have data to put before regulators this year.Andrew Pollard, professor of paediatric infection and immunity at Oxford university – one of the lead researchers on its vaccine trial – has said that if coronavirus cases accrue rapidly at clinical trial stage they could have data to put before regulators this year.
It comes after Chief Medical Officer for England, Chris Witty, suggested that a vaccine will most reasonably be ready next winter or in the one after.It comes after Chief Medical Officer for England, Chris Witty, suggested that a vaccine will most reasonably be ready next winter or in the one after.
“I think Chris Witty is right to be cautious, it could take as long as that to demonstrate that the vaccine works and is safe and then we have to go through a process of regulators looking at that to make sure it is done correctly. But if cases accrue rapidly in clinical trials we could have data to put before regulators this year,” he said.“I think Chris Witty is right to be cautious, it could take as long as that to demonstrate that the vaccine works and is safe and then we have to go through a process of regulators looking at that to make sure it is done correctly. But if cases accrue rapidly in clinical trials we could have data to put before regulators this year,” he said.
When asked about the possibility of people being reinfected with the virus after a Hong Kong man caught Covid-19 twice, Pollard said: “I think it is important in all vaccine development to look at changes in the virus, which happens over time, to make sure if the virus does change the vaccine is still effective against it.”When asked about the possibility of people being reinfected with the virus after a Hong Kong man caught Covid-19 twice, Pollard said: “I think it is important in all vaccine development to look at changes in the virus, which happens over time, to make sure if the virus does change the vaccine is still effective against it.”
The chief executive of the Royal Statistical Society has told Ofqual to “cease defending the indefensible” in the latest exchange in a row over the algorithm used to determine this year’s A-level and GCSE results.The chief executive of the Royal Statistical Society has told Ofqual to “cease defending the indefensible” in the latest exchange in a row over the algorithm used to determine this year’s A-level and GCSE results.
The dispute began with comments made by the RSS in which the society said it had offered to help with the algorithm but objected to the proposed confidentiality agreement that experts would be required to sign and claimed it had received no official response to its concerns.The dispute began with comments made by the RSS in which the society said it had offered to help with the algorithm but objected to the proposed confidentiality agreement that experts would be required to sign and claimed it had received no official response to its concerns.
Ofqual’s chair, Roger Taylor, rebuffed the criticisms on Sunday. He said Ofqual had published a copy of the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to dispute the “restrictions you have incorrectly alleged” and denied that the regulator had failed to respond to the issues raised by the RSS.Ofqual’s chair, Roger Taylor, rebuffed the criticisms on Sunday. He said Ofqual had published a copy of the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to dispute the “restrictions you have incorrectly alleged” and denied that the regulator had failed to respond to the issues raised by the RSS.
An interesting look at six of the most promising treatments for Covid-19 so far from my colleague Sarah Boseley.An interesting look at six of the most promising treatments for Covid-19 so far from my colleague Sarah Boseley.
Below is a look at the latest news and developments regarding coronavirus in the UK.Below is a look at the latest news and developments regarding coronavirus in the UK.
Students will begin receiving their Btec results from Tuesday after exam board Pearson delayed their publication. Students will begin receiving their BTec results from Tuesday after exam board Pearson delayed their publication.
Thousands of headteachers have written to the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, accusing the government of repeatedly failing to listen or collaborate as schools prepare to reopen to millions of children across England.Thousands of headteachers have written to the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, accusing the government of repeatedly failing to listen or collaborate as schools prepare to reopen to millions of children across England.
Pupils wearing masks is an option that should be kept under review, a union has said, despite the education secretary insisting the measure is not needed as schools in England prepare to reopen.Pupils wearing masks is an option that should be kept under review, a union has said, despite the education secretary insisting the measure is not needed as schools in England prepare to reopen.
The world’s fastest man Usain Bolt is in quarantine after reportedly testing positive for Covid-19 just days after a party for his 34th birthday, which was attended by England footballer Raheem Sterling and several other sports stars. The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, is in quarantine after reportedly testing positive for Covid-19 just days after a party for his 34th birthday, which was attended by England footballer Raheem Sterling and several other sports stars.
Stop and searches in London rose by 40% during lockdown and a lower proportion of them led to arrests, figures show.Stop and searches in London rose by 40% during lockdown and a lower proportion of them led to arrests, figures show.
Four times as many adolescents are physically abused compared with younger children in England, analysis of police-recorded offences shows, with incidents against 11- to 18-year-olds soaring during the coronavirus lockdown.Four times as many adolescents are physically abused compared with younger children in England, analysis of police-recorded offences shows, with incidents against 11- to 18-year-olds soaring during the coronavirus lockdown.
The world’s fastest man Usain Bolt is in quarantine after reportedly testing positive for Covid-19 just days after a party for his 34th birthday, which was attended by England footballer Raheem Sterling and several other sports stars. The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, is in quarantine after reportedly testing positive for Covid-19 just days after a party for his 34th birthday, which was attended by England footballer Raheem Sterling and several other sports stars.
Jamaica’s health ministry said late on Monday that Bolt, the world 100m and 200m record holder, had tested positive for the virus. He had earlier posted a video on social media saying he was waiting to hear back on his results – before urging anyone who had come into contact with him recently to enter quarantine.Jamaica’s health ministry said late on Monday that Bolt, the world 100m and 200m record holder, had tested positive for the virus. He had earlier posted a video on social media saying he was waiting to hear back on his results – before urging anyone who had come into contact with him recently to enter quarantine.
Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton reportedly confirmed Bolt had been notified of the positive test and contact tracing was underway. Jamaica’s minister of health and wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, reportedly confirmed Bolt had been notified of the positive test and contact tracing was under way.
Students will begin receiving their Btec results from Tuesday after exam board Pearson delayed their publication.Grading for the vocational qualifications was delayed to give the board more time to recalculate the grades after A-level and GCSE results were based on teacher estimates.Last week, Pearson said the regrading was needed to “address concerns about unfairness in relation to A-levels and GCSEs and ensure no Btec student is disadvantaged.”Cindy Rampersaud, senior vice-president for Btec and Apprenticeships at the company, said all eligible results will be available by Friday.Around 200,000 level one and two entries were due to receive grades last Thursday, while 250,000 level three grades have already been awarded but were part of the reassessment. Students will begin receiving their BTec results from Tuesday after exam board Pearson delayed their publication.Grading for the vocational qualifications was delayed to give the board more time to recalculate the grades after A-level and GCSE results were based on teacher estimates.Last week, Pearson said the regrading was needed to “address concerns about unfairness in relation to A-levels and GCSEs and ensure no BTec student is disadvantaged.”Cindy Rampersaud, senior vice-president for BTec and apprenticeships at the company, said all eligible results would be available by Friday.Around 200,000 level one and two entries were due to receive grades last Thursday, while 250,000 level three grades have already been awarded but were part of the reassessment.
Justine Greening, MP for Putney from 2005 to 2019, has written for the Guardian today on the exams crisis in England and Wales:Justine Greening, MP for Putney from 2005 to 2019, has written for the Guardian today on the exams crisis in England and Wales:
Thousands of headteachers have written to the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, accusing the government of repeatedly failing to listen or collaborate as schools prepare to reopen to millions of children across England.Thousands of headteachers have written to the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, accusing the government of repeatedly failing to listen or collaborate as schools prepare to reopen to millions of children across England.
In what appears to be a damaging breakdown in relations, headteachers say they are facing some of the most significant challenges of their professional lives but feel they are “working in isolation”, unsupported by the government.In what appears to be a damaging breakdown in relations, headteachers say they are facing some of the most significant challenges of their professional lives but feel they are “working in isolation”, unsupported by the government.
School leaders, who are still picking up the pieces after the recent exams fiasco, say their confidence in government has been “significantly knocked”. They are calling for urgent changes to current ways of working to help ensure a safe return to school.School leaders, who are still picking up the pieces after the recent exams fiasco, say their confidence in government has been “significantly knocked”. They are calling for urgent changes to current ways of working to help ensure a safe return to school.
Hannah Bernard, head of business banking at Barclays, said their research showed more women were thinking of starting businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic.Hannah Bernard, head of business banking at Barclays, said their research showed more women were thinking of starting businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Bernard was asked whether companies taking out loans would not be able to pay them back in time. “You have to make sure support is in place and lots of preparation is made for businesses that may go through difficulties when they start to pay back loans. We are doing lots to make sure they are ready,” she said.On the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Bernard was asked whether companies taking out loans would not be able to pay them back in time. “You have to make sure support is in place and lots of preparation is made for businesses that may go through difficulties when they start to pay back loans. We are doing lots to make sure they are ready,” she said.
“If someone took a loan out at the start of the scheme their first payment will be May next year. Lots of women have been spurred to start businesses due to lockdown,” she said, citing research the banking giant did on this subject.“If someone took a loan out at the start of the scheme their first payment will be May next year. Lots of women have been spurred to start businesses due to lockdown,” she said, citing research the banking giant did on this subject.
Michael Fabricant, Conservative MP for Lichfield in Staffordshire, said he would like Rule Britannia to be performed by a solo singer at The Last Night of the Proms.Michael Fabricant, Conservative MP for Lichfield in Staffordshire, said he would like Rule Britannia to be performed by a solo singer at The Last Night of the Proms.
It comes after the BBC confirmed on Monday night that the song will be performed as an orchestral version only. The change is down to Covid-19 restrictions, the corporation said, after reports the anthems could be axed for political reasons.It comes after the BBC confirmed on Monday night that the song will be performed as an orchestral version only. The change is down to Covid-19 restrictions, the corporation said, after reports the anthems could be axed for political reasons.
Fabricant told BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “I think it is all very sad, Rule Britannia has some lovely words.”Fabricant told BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “I think it is all very sad, Rule Britannia has some lovely words.”
He argued that while the BBC said the changes were due to coronavirus restrictions that other tunes will be sung, such as the national anthem.He argued that while the BBC said the changes were due to coronavirus restrictions that other tunes will be sung, such as the national anthem.
He said that a solo singer version would not be “thin”.He said that a solo singer version would not be “thin”.
“When you hear opera singers belting it out, I would not say that is a thin voice, I’d be happy with that compromise: a single voice singing it [Rule Britannia] loudly.”“When you hear opera singers belting it out, I would not say that is a thin voice, I’d be happy with that compromise: a single voice singing it [Rule Britannia] loudly.”
Pupils wearing masks is an option that should be kept under review, a union has said, despite the education secretary insisting the measure is not needed as schools in England prepare to reopen.It comes as the Scottish government is expected to state its decision on face coverings in schools in light of the latest guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that children aged 12 and over should wear a mask.The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said as evidence continues to emerge, Westminster should review its guidance.ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton told the Daily Telegraph: “We would expect the government in Westminster to review its guidance on the use of face coverings in schools - which currently says they are not required - in light of the WHO guidance and the consultation taking place in Scotland.“The evidence is clearly evolving on this issue and it is important that it is kept under review and that clear direction is provided to schools.” Pupils wearing masks is an option that should be kept under review, a union has said, despite the education secretary insisting the measure is not needed as schools in England prepare to reopen.It comes as the Scottish government is expected to state its decision on face coverings in schools in light of the latest guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) that children aged 12 and over should wear a mask.The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said as evidence continues to emerge, Westminster should review its guidance.The ASCL general secretary, Geoff Barton, told the Daily Telegraph: “We would expect the government in Westminster to review its guidance on the use of face coverings in schools - which currently says they are not required - in light of the WHO guidance and the consultation taking place in Scotland.“The evidence is clearly evolving on this issue and it is important that it is kept under review and that clear direction is provided to schools.”
But Professor Russell Viner, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said there was concern about younger children wearing face coverings.The WHO and UN children’s agency Unicef suggested that face shields may be an alternative in situations such as speech classes where the teacher and pupils need to see each other’s mouths.Shadow education secretary Kate Green has already said the issue should be kept under review. Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon said her education secretary John Swinney is in the final stages of consulting with teachers and councils on whether to recommend the use of masks when moving around schools. But Prof Russell Viner, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said there was concern about younger children wearing face coverings.The WHO and UN children’s agency Unicef suggested that face shields may be an alternative in situations such as speech classes where the teacher and pupils need to see each other’s mouths.The shadow education secretary, Kate Green, has already said the issue should be kept under review. Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said her education secretary John Swinney is in the final stages of consulting with teachers and councils on whether to recommend the use of masks when moving around schools.
Morning everyone and welcome to the Guardian’s UK coronavirus live feed. I am here to bring you all the latest developments this morning. Please do get in touch to share your thoughts, comments and news tips with me.Morning everyone and welcome to the Guardian’s UK coronavirus live feed. I am here to bring you all the latest developments this morning. Please do get in touch to share your thoughts, comments and news tips with me.
Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.comTwitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com