Covid and Work, Covid Advice and General Chat

Unrepeatable on here?

It's blatant herd immunity thinking. Our government is actively trying to spread this.

And use up all the almost useless tests they bought, to justify the money they spent on them

 

Government does appear to be super talented at imposing new practices, without consultations with "stakeholders", with little warning.....
There was a Headmaster on the news this morning spitting bullets....

 

I think a testing plan for schools is better than not having a testing plan, which is where we were at this term.

 

Two of my school escort children had to self isolate for 10 days. I too had to isolate for 14 days at a later date. A testing plan would be good, but with children with SEN, it can be so difficult, also anyone who did these tests within the school, would have to have a criminal check, a DBS enhanced check and that takes time.

 

My son-in-law, aged 52, has tested positive. His symptoms started on 9th December. Today is the 19th and his isolation period is ending. However, his problem is severe fatigue, being hot and sweaty, but no high temperature, feeling sick, loss of taste, dizziness. He has had no shortness of breath or even a significant cough. Yesterday (day 9) he slept for 20 hours. Today he got up, had a shower, then had to lie down again. He has no underlying health conditions whatsoever apart from an arthritic knee. Needless to say, his isolation will have to continue until the fever symptoms disappear.

The fortunate thing is his wife (our daughter) has had 2 negative tests in this period and is fine.

 

My school had classes closed because of sickness, now what that actually meant could well be a few things. The teachers are already stretched, so how the government get's around this I don't know. Also, as most of the government probably didn't go the the local comprehensive school, they really have no idea of us ordinary folks.

 

I think you're right. My independent school has its tests signed, sealed and delivered ready for the term. I doubt this will be the reality for most schools.

 

In the new term, January, is your school going to stagger the intake of pupils ? Mine are supposed to start January 5th, but will stagger the pupils return until the 11th.

 

We are testing the exam classes during inset so they are back in lessons on the 5th. The other classes will be returning on the 11th after testing.

 

Perhaps they think there are matrons, or that the school nurse still exists, given how clued up they appear to be.

 

Wouldn’t be surprised!

 

Welcome to the Independent sector. Of course, we have more than one nurse at our school. Remember those in charge of the country are mostly Toffs.

 

A testing plan is excellent. Not bothering to isolate likely cases on the back of predominantly inaccurate tests is not.
Using any testing in addition to existing measures is good. Using minimally accurate testing to replace a (limited) isolation of close contacts is terrible.

 

It would be good if the government allowed testing in primary schools too. We have no social distancing, no PPE ( unless dealing with a child showing symptoms), tables are wiped down with antibacterial (not antiviral) disinfectant. Hand washing and the use of hand sanitiser is encouraged as are class bubbles. We also have staggered start and finish times. However, most primary schools in my local authority area were closed or partially closed before we broke up for the holidays.

We are now in tier 4 so Christmas is essentially cancelled here. I am willing to bet, that we will be expected to return to work under the same circumstances as before. This even though we apparently have the easier caught variant of Covid in our area. Just a by the by fact, our council leader in the town where I work asked to close schools 3 days early before the break due to increasing infections. This request was declined even though a large number of schools, primary and secondary were already closed due to Covid. Also all secondary school children were told to be tested before the break and to test again before returning to school.

The government is saying that children from the of 10 are the carriers of the virus. I work in year 6 primary (10-11 year olds). I do wear an FFP2 face mask, which is not on my out of date risk assessment. However, after chatting with my husband about the risks I face at work, I have decided to resign from a job I love and have been doing for nearly 20 years. This makes me sad and even a bit angry as I feel the pupils and staff of primary schools are being badly let down by government. Extra measures put in place are not sufficient and fall far below standards of any other indoor working environment. Some precautions, PPE for example, are actively discouraged. Judging by the fact we are running out of essential supplies eg. pens, they probably are not being properly funded either.

 

The school I go to is for children with SEN, aged between 5 and 11 years, covid has been in the school and infected both children and teachers, but how many, I don't know ?
A friend is in tier 4 now and he lives on his own, he's trying to put a brave face on it all, but I feel sad for him and all the lone people out there.

 

I always had home deliveries from Sainsbury but was unable to for the first 5 months of COVID as, despite my OH being classed as vulnerable, we didn’t have a shielding letter. I managed to get a Christmas slot due to them releasing them a week early for those with a delivery pass - even then at 1.00 in the morning several had been taken!

 

Including the Nit Nurse!!!!