Covid: Gossiping school-run parents should give gobs a rest – Hayley Matthews

The chance to talk about the price of fish seems to be too enticing for some parents, who are flouting Covid social distancing rules, writes Hayley Matthews.

Schools have been doing their best to help people social distance but some parents are flouting the Covid rules (Picture: Lisa Ferguson)

With the recent Covid spike, it’s no surprise the restrictions have been upped outside our school.

They’ve had a great idea and put barriers on the road to stop cars parking so that parents can move on to the road to social distance when coming in and out of the school.

To be honest, our school has been great with putting in place strategies during the Covid outbreak.

The staggered entry of kids going in and staggered leaving of them coming out has certainly been helpful. My son reports how they’re always gelling their hands with anti-bac and being encouraged to wash them well and it’s all very reassuring.

The parents in the playground, however – not so much. The gas bags still enjoy a gossip at close proximity, completely disregarding any social distancing, and it’s always the usual suspects! It’s outrageous. The lack of social distancing shown by many parents (mainly mums) who like to talk about the price of fish on a daily basis is just bonkers! Especially because when I see many of these mums out and about in the supermarket, they’re wearing masks and distancing themselves from everyone like they have the plague.

Yet in the playground, the regular clique of gossip girls continue to natter away like nothing’s happened.

There have been a few sensible parents laying low but for the majority, the lure of the gossip leaves their chins wagging so much I’m surprised their jaws haven’t fallen off.

It’s sad really, there can’t be that much to talk about every morning and afternoon?

Keep your distance and, for goodness sake, give your gobs a rest!

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