Swine flu and schools this autumn

Swine flu is a real hot issue in schools just now. Towards the end of last term, the prevailing climate seemed to change inasmuch as GPs appeared to be increasingly reluctant to actually diagnose it – probably as a response to the media coverage and the general scare mongering that seemed to be around.
The latest advice to schools seems to reflect the fact that the condition is essentially uncontainable – i.e. schools should continue to open as normal even if there are suspected or indeed actual diagnosed cases.
During August there is expected to be a growth in the number of cases nationally and the Government have already pre-advised Headteachers that they will be issuing new guidance on 24th August in the UK in respect of arrangements for the start of the autumn term. In truth, no one expects that the guidance will do anything other than to advise schools to open as normal in September, although I guess there may be the proviso that where a school is being affected to a significant degree either in terms of teachers or pupils, full or indeed partial closure may be a permissible option for a short period.