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Covid and Work, Covid Advice and General Chat

HSSS said:
So what do we think of the school testing plans?

the ones where
  • kids exposed by close contact with a positive confirmed case no longer get sent home to isolate for 10 days.
  • they then get tested daily by lateral flow
  • these tests are performed by non medical as yet unrecruited and undos checked staff and volunteers
  • And these tests find half of those pcr does which in turn finds about 70%. So lateral flow find about 35% of actual cases
  • in the pre symptomatic/positive result infectious 48hrs period they are still in school not isolating as they are now.
  • No other kids tested. With the exception of the first week where there will be a one off mass testing, 2 each, of all vulnerable (not medically but socially), key worker or exam yr 11 and 13 children if they can manage it whilst they are attending in person throughout.

Guess what my thoughts are?
Click to expand...

Unrepeatable I suspect?!

Testing in schools won't keep the virus out unless you could test every single student and staff member at the door and have a guaranteed result and that's not possible, and also not taking into account whatever they have decided on asymptomatic spread!
 
HSSS said:
So what do we think of the school testing plans?

Guess what my thoughts are?
Click to expand...

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....
 
HSSS said:
So what do we think of the school testing plans?

the ones where
  • kids exposed by close contact with a positive confirmed case no longer get sent home to isolate for 10 days.
  • they then get tested daily by lateral flow
  • these tests are performed by non medical as yet unrecruited and undos checked staff and volunteers
  • And these tests find half of those pcr does which in turn finds about 70%. So lateral flow find about 35% of actual cases
  • in the pre symptomatic/positive result infectious 48hrs period they are still in school not isolating as they are now.
  • No other kids tested. With the exception of the first week where there will be a one off mass testing, 2 each, of all vulnerable (not medically but socially), key worker or exam yr 11 and 13 children if they can manage it whilst they are attending in person throughout.

Guess what my thoughts are?
Click to expand...
I think a testing plan for schools is better than not having a testing plan, which is where we were at this term.
 
ert said:
I think a testing plan for schools is better than not having a testing plan, which is where we were at this term.
Click to expand...

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.
 
As others have said on here that it's not just about deaths -

Long Covid: I used to run, now I can walk 200 metres

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-55370489
dot.gif


If it's true about this new "variant" being far more contagious it could be another massive obstacle for schools.

Must confess I really am struggling to understand some peoples logic. More anti lockdown protests today but the reason for lockdowns are because the virus is spreading. One way to slow the virus from spreading, therefore not having to have a lockdown, is don't meet in big groups?!?!? Hellooo!! It beggars belief really. If people followed the rules, even if they didn't agree with them then we might avoid lockdowns!!

Then there is this group who doesn't believe that Covid is anything to worry about unless you are over say 65 but still want to see everyone possible at Christmas! Now let's say for one minute that it only affects those over 65. It doesn't obviously, but for arguments sake let's say that. Why then do these people still want to go and see their mates, have a drink in a pub, go to a party and then go see mum, dad, grandma and grandad on Christmas Day, even when they "claim" it only affects older people?! Bizarre....
 
Robinredbreast said:
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.
Click to expand...


That's probably why the government was expecting schools to do their own testing as anyone who works in a school "should" have had a full DBS check.
 
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.
 
Max68 said:
That's probably why the government was expecting schools to do their own testing as anyone who works in a school "should" have had a full DBS check.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Robinredbreast said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Robinredbreast said:
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.
Click to expand...
Perhaps they think there are matrons, or that the school nurse still exists, given how clued up they appear to be.
 
lucylocket61 said:
Perhaps they think there are matrons, or that the school nurse still exists, given how clued up they appear to be.
Click to expand...
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.
 
ert said:
I think a testing plan for schools is better than not having a testing plan, which is where we were at this term.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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Max68 said:
That's probably why the government was expecting schools to do their own testing as anyone who works in a school "should" have had a full DBS check.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Jbicheno said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Hopeful34 said:
I get regular delivery slots at Sainsburys and a friend gets weekly click and collect slots, and for months there have been plenty to choose from. When Sainsbury's announced the release dates of slots for Christmas week, we both went on multiple times day and night, including 12.01a.m each day they were released, and for days after, and there were never any slots available after Sunday. So who got the slots, and how!! A couple of years ago my friend saw these slots for sale on eBay for a lot of money.
Click to expand...
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!
 
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