Rather than children all moving around the corridors why don't they stay in their classroom and the teachers move?
And Bingo!!!! Masks in school.
This government has more changes of direction than spaghetti junction.
I suppose this U-turn had nothing to do with the school heads taking matters into their own hands.
Note that it is being pushed out to head teachers in areas where there isn't an allegedly high case load.
If you disagree with the idea of making secondary kids wear masks this is a good time to write to your headteacher. See template on the UsforThem facebook page.
Also interesting study from Spectator (Uni of Warwick) which points out that mask wearing encourages the wearer to stand closer due to 'classic risk compensation' .
Hopefully all those kids are boilwashing their fabric masks over the course of school day... but i doubt it so this isn't going to reassure the nervous peeps out there IMO.
Because in secondary schools the pupils study different electives/subjects and in some subjects are in ability sets too even for subjects they all do. This is why they are exposed to somewhere in the region of 150 people a day and it varies day by day which ones. Nothing like an average office.Rather than children all moving around the corridors why don't they stay in their classroom and the teachers move?
Because in secondary schools the pupils study different electives/subjects and in some subjects are in ability sets too even for subjects they all do. This is why they are exposed to somewhere in the region of 150 people a day and it varies day by day which ones. Nothing like an average office.
I think it is detrimental to teaching and raises anxiety for something which we should not be very anxious about given a) low rate of spread in schools open in Europe b) low risk to both kids and working age adults. (note that South Korean schools are closed because of outbreaks in churches and a rally) ./ It feels like the thin end of the wedge when it comes to other measures such as mass mandatory testing and compulsory vaccinations; I am not an anti vaxxer not a conspiracy theorist but feel that this has become a panic pandemic.If students wearing masks protects others then isn't it a good thing?
I think it is detrimental to teaching and raises anxiety for something which we should not be very anxious about given a) low rate of spread in schools open in Europe b) low risk to both kids and working age adults. (note that South Korean schools are closed because of outbreaks in churches and a rally) ./ It feels like the thin end of the wedge when it comes to other measures such as mass mandatory testing and compulsory vaccinations; I am not an anti vaxxer not a conspiracy theorist but feel that this has become a panic pandemic.
e.g.
I am a 49 year old type 1 and have calculated my risk of dying to be 0.3-2%* whereas my father in law by virtue of being type 2 and over 80 goes up to 9.6%+. Even my obese and type 2 diabetic dad is 3-5% just because he is a decade younger than the father in law.
* based on the estimates for population fatality 0.1-0.75% and the known risk multipliers for diabetes, age, obesity etc.
Because in secondary schools the pupils study different electives/subjects and in some subjects are in ability sets too even for subjects they all do. This is why they are exposed to somewhere in the region of 150 people a day and it varies day by day which ones. Nothing like an average office.
I also wonder how many deaths or covid-19 long term illnesses are an acceptable number to them through not masking.
"They also take the view that if it doesn't kill the children, it's not a problem."I find it interesting that those who are against masks appear to be only focused on the health of the children, and ignore the risk posed to those they come into contact with.
They also take the view that if it doesn't kill the children, it's not a problem.
I wonder what their views are on children who have been in contact chickenpox or norovirus, or similar, coming into school?
I also wonder how many deaths or covid-19 long term illnesses are an acceptable number to them through not masking.
I find it interesting that those who are against masks appear to be only focused on the health of the children, and ignore the risk posed to those they come into contact with.
They also take the view that if it doesn't kill the children, it's not a problem.
I wonder what their views are on children who have been in contact chickenpox or norovirus, or similar, coming into school?
I also wonder how many deaths or covid-19 long term illnesses are an acceptable number to them through not masking.
i hope uk teachers follow the example of those in Arizona who all called in sick en masse!
It might get the employer to look at ways of making schools safer eg by providing premises that permit 2m social distancing. Normal classrooms don't. Some countries have been requisitioning conference halls, public buildings etc to provide temporary classrooms and more space to separate the children from each other and the teachers. And so far I haven't seen any examples in schools of the perspex or even polythene screens that are used in many offices to separate people from each other. Why not a perspex box for the teacher to stand in? The kids may be in "bubbles" but the teachers in secondary schools at least, have to go from one bubble to another all day. to teach different sets of kids.What will that achieve?
You have just over 2 students to each member of staff? That must be an expensive school.My senior school RA's focuses solely on hand washing. We have 800 students, 150 teachers and 200 support staff, not social distancing or wearing masks. They have stated parents can't talk to each at the gates. Also, there will be different entrances for the year groups. After they've entered the school, other than washing their hands, it's a free-for-all. They have insisted all staff sign compliance with the RA. No guessing I'm not. I've been signed off by my OCDEM specialist as I have type 1 and autoimmune t-cell issues. This week my HR and DP said they were refusing to accept medical advice and I need to be back in the classroom. Of course, I need to follow medical advice. I sought legal advice:
Phone conversation notes with Landau Law Solicitors 25.8.20 5 pm.
Advice given:
If you have underlying health conditions which pose a particular risk then staying at home is more likely to be justified. Indeed, if you have an existing disability such as type 1 diabetes, then not allowing you to work from home could amount to a failure to make reasonable adjustment, and therefore discriminatory.
You could argue that it would be a breach of your employment contract (more specifically a breach of the mutual duty of trust and confidence) to force you to come to work.
As you have a recognised disability, type 1 diabetes, your employer would specifically be required under the Equality Act to consider what ‘reasonable adjustments” can be made. Ignoring medical advice, by asking you to return to the classroom, would be discrimination.
If an employee has been advised to self-isolate by doctors, but they insist on coming into work anyway, then your employer may breach its health and safety obligations if they do not take steps to enforce your self-isolation.
My GP wrote a more forceful letter today. They have no chance, but it makes me cross that I've had to go through this. I'm ok, but my vulnerable colleagues haven't been so resourceful.