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Covid and Work, Covid Advice and General Chat

DCUKMod said:
Do we know if those are cases, confirmed by testing, or suspected cases, where pupils/staff are absent from school (or whatever).
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It says reported cases rather than suspected cases so I assumed the former, but i am trying to get clarification and will update asap
 
Brunneria said:
Where did the image come from?
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It’s from https://www.boycottunsafeschools.co.uk/take-action/. The pins all have annotations with details when you click on them.

Apparently it logs disruption to pupils due to covid ie isolation of at least some students, not necessarily but including whole bubbles or schools closing.

Bubbles have been abandoned with regards to self isolation in favour of “close contacts” as per sept 15th guidance.
 
Had my Risk Assessment this morning., I don't think the Head appreciated me going to the Union but I had asked four times and nothing happened then I'm not sure what he expected!!

On the whole it was ok bar him getting a bit personal when talking about how we all have to keep our health in good shape during the pandemic. Felt a bit like he was having a cheap shot at my smoking (which I shouldn't do obviously I know but not been the easiest time to quit!) and my weight of which I did inform the nosey parker I have lost a bit. Nearly told him it was none of his business!

However they are letting me arrive 15 minutes after everyone else and allowing me to leave 15 minutes before everyone else leaves. I'll take it as it shortens the day! They are allowing me to use a laptop in another classroom with Zoom to access training rather than sit in a busy hall with everyone else, so that's a plus. Not much they can do with social distancing in a class though and that's the main worry, but what can you do, as that's the nature of the job?!

I'm taking it one day at a time. I could walk out at any minute if I am honest but at the same time need the wage! Such a quandary.
 
I am very pleased to hear Boris say that people should work from home again. So much better than being forced into a workplace where you have no control over your own safety and the employer is in charge of your health.These people help keep their own businesses from going bankrupt and thereby help the economy, as well as reducing potential spread of virus amongst their colleagues . And it's a great help to people who are forced to use public transport to get to work, as it makes it less crowded and risky for them. Shame it's no help to schools though. I was expecting a further 6 months of staying indoors until there is a vaccine, and we had already decided that our supermarket delivery in early September would be our last for at least a couple of months so as to avoid the risk from delivery drivers and packers.We shall manage with dried pasta/rice etc for now which is a shame as we both love potatoes. I am glum at the prospect of having to stay indoors for so long, but at the same time grateful that I am able to stay safe because I am retired. I am not worried for myself about the virus as I have no need to go out to work etc, but am fearful for my children (one of whom has to go to the office quite a few days a week), and grandchildren. I am afraid the grandchildren, who have to go to school, may bring the virus home to their parents.
 
Purely as always from a standpoint from my vocation I see Boris now persuades the "healthy" to stay and work from home but as Tannith says no help for the vulnerable who work in schools... In fact in the articles I've read he comes across as he is speaking for us telling me that I don't want to be "locked up" for the next six months. Whilst many don't I coped quite happily between March and July as my safety was down to me. Not so with even the latest guidelines. Will be calling the DWP tonight I think to see if there is anyway I can claim Universal Credit. Either that or a long winter awaiting the inevitable.
 
Well.. he said people should work from home but it’s down the the business, not the individual to decide it seems. If the business says it is COVID secure and you are told to go back in then I think there isn’t much choice?
 
Andydragon said:
Well.. he said people should work from home but it’s down the the business, not the individual to decide it seems. If the business says it is COVID secure and you are told to go back in then I think there isn’t much choice?
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There's always a choice it depends on if you want to make it.

Then again it's easy for me to say when I don't have to choose.
 
EllieM said:
Hard to see how schools can be made covid safe.....
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Schools aren't Covid safe. There were 26 students sent home for 2 weeks after 2 days of lessons at mine. One student tested positive, the others couldn't get tests.
 
ert said:
Schools aren't Covid safe. There were 26 students sent home for 2 weeks after 2 days of lessons at mine. One student tested positive, the others couldn't get tests.
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Schools I believe are also exempted from the work from home if you can

They seem to want schools open above everything else. Which from an economy point of view makes sense as kids at school allow parents to work
 
JohnEGreen said:
Except the advice to the parents is now work from home if you can.
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Months ago, in the actual lock-own, it was children of key workers and vulnerable children too who needed the schools open, I go to a specialist school with children who have SEN, Special Educational Needs.
Today I will try to ask the teacher who comes out into the car park area, if there have been any positive covid cases within the school.
 
Andydragon said:
Well.. he said people should work from home but it’s down the the business, not the individual to decide it seems. If the business says it is COVID secure and you are told to go back in then I think there isn’t much choice?
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Generally speaking that may be the case BUT further account has to be taken for those WITH underlying health conditions. I think that's the main point of this very interesting and very long thread. A place of work may well be 'Covid friendly' for most of its workers but MORE factors need to be looked at when assessing whether it's Covid friendly for those more at risk. That is what a Personal risk assessment is for, to establish what else might be required for an individual with certain health issues. I really think that a lot of Employers do not realise this, they think 'Well our Office is fine, we've done this, that and the other so what is this person going on about'. The whole point of addressing a personal vulnerability is to attempt to reduce any risk further as if this is not done, that person may be exposed to a much higher risk of complications SHOULD they catch it.
 
JohnEGreen said:
There's always a choice it depends on if you want to make it.

Then again it's easy for me to say when I don't have to choose.
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Hmmmm, I suppose you can 'choose' to give up your job but how realistic is this?, more of a Hobson's choice I think. That would be like going back several decades to a time when there was NO health & safety in place and it was a 'like it or lump it' scenario.
 
NicoleC1971 said:
Hopefully the kids won't be at home too though as even with older kids their presence is fairly disruptive to the working day!
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That’s true, for most people. However, working from home could be the difference between health and ill health for some.
 
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