Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[6Foot2]

Out of interest, are any of your schools now seeing a portion of the pupil population not attending? If so, what kind of percentage?

 

We noticed a lower than expected attendance yesterday. Not sure about today. I'll see what I can find out.

I have just been to see our stand in attendance officer (our full time one is off, having to look after her children who are ill)

 

I have been told that we have a lower attendance than we had yesterday. The figures are still being collected (stand in is still trying to find out how to run the report) She estimates that we have 85 - 90% attendance today, and we are expecting a fall in attendance again tomorrow (A significant fall in attendance on three consecutive days)

 

We also expect parents to be calling in to say that their children will not be attending again for at least 7 days.

[paulkerton]

The advice from the government about distancing is not going to work, as it is just an advice, examples:

 

- staff member at home as the child shows symptoms - her partner at work, as if he doesn't work, ho doesn't get paid

- another person asked if he will be going to the local pub - of course, we need to support them in those difficult times.

 

I think it is very British, to not do what you being told.

 

It's even simpler than that.

• Child presents symptoms. Is sent home to family, and entire family immediately self quarantine for 14 days.
  
• Children and staff who spend 30 hours a week with child presenting symptoms spend 10 of the next 14 days together.
  

[Andycat]

We were 87% today across main and 6th form. More in 6th form.

[smurfomatic]

39 pupils absent out of 220 in Years 3 - 8, 23 out of 77 off in the junior end of school. As far as I know, the vast majority are self isolating but not showing symptoms.

 

At least six staff members self isolating, either due to their own symptoms or close family.

 

At least the planned ISI inspection has been postponed - though apparently other schools had inspectors arrive as planned today.

[Seb1780]

I've just sent this to my MP - I think we need something from TPTB to say what happens once you get better.

 

I'm currently sat at home coughing a lot and keeping away from potential infectees. I'm bored, but I'll survive.

 

Given the enhanced measures announced yesterday I'm unsure of what I do next! Could you please ask for clarification on the following matters?

 

1 – Do I now have to stay isolated for 14 days? My symptoms should, according to all I've seen, be gone in 5-7 days. I understand that others in the household may then get symptoms, or they might not, and therefore they need to remain isolated. But I've come out the other side, do I still isolate for a further week?

 

2 – Once I am clear (in a week or two) can I resume my normal life. If pubs are still open can I then go to them? Would it be appropriate to go to the shops, or offer to do so for others that would still be in self isolation?

 

3 – Returning to normal life is based on the assumption that my coughing and spluttering is caused by COVID-19, how will I know this? How can I be sure that I have developed antibodies and can enter society again without risk of re-infection? Are there any plans to assess the increasing number of people who are coming out of isolation?

 

I am keen to minimise my impact on the local and national economy and I feel guidance on what we can do post-infection would help offset some of the negative effects of the things we can no longer do pre- and during infection.

 

Regards

 

Seb1780

[Andrew_C]

I've just sent this to my MP

 

 

HAHAHAHA!!! Thanks; I needed a laugh...

[LeMarchand]

Please keep your coronavirus annoyances to the Coronavirus general discussion thread.

 

Laptop that was on loan to a TA returned today. Getting it ready for one of the Admin ladies so that she access Parent Mail in case of a shut down. TA flounces upstairs to announce that the Deputy has said that she can take it "in case" her kid has to stay at home.

[sonofsanta]

We just had a teacher ask if she could borrow a monitor for her daughter to do some work at home. The more I think about it as a request the less it makes sense.

[LeMarchand]

We just had a teacher ask if she could borrow a monitor for her daughter to do some work at home. The more I think about it as a request the less it makes sense.

 

Probably means "computer".

[witch]

 

We've also heard through the grapevine that those close to maternity leave are being asked to take it early. Presumably because it means they'll come back to work earlier and it saves the school paying both sick/isolation pay and maternity pay.

 

This is what my daughter-in-law is worried about. She was due to go to maternity leave at Easter. TBF the school havent mentioned it as yet

[sonofsanta]

Probably means "computer".

 

 

That's honestly a better answer than anything I've come up with so far. Evidently I'm giving my users too much credit by thinking they mean what they say!

[CHiLL]

Many schools across the UK will not be able to remain open past the end of the week, says a head teachers' leader.

 

ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton said experienced head teachers in large schools were saying they would struggle to stay up and running past Friday.

 

It comes after teaching unions spoke of the "intolerable pressure" of staying open as more and more staff get sick.

 

The government's chief scientific adviser has reiterated that schools will remain open for now.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-51910835

It is a bit silly that school activities and trips are being cancelled, children can't play football in the park - but sure, cram 30 sweaty kids in a small classroom.

[the_quick]

The Guardian:

Schools across England are announcing full or partial closures because of staff shortages, suggesting that widespread closures and government intervention isn’t far off. The UK and Belarus are alone in Europe in requiring all schools to remain open.

 

Among those closing is City of London Girls School, which announced it would close from Wednesday, “in the face of unsustainable pupil and staff absence from the site over the past couple of days”. Pupils will be given remote learning in all subjects, while those whose parents are “key frontline staff” will be offered supervision at the independent school.

 

Meanwhile, Maiden Erlegh school in Berkshire announced that most pupils will only be able to attend every second day, because of staff shortages. “We just cannot operate the school safely with the numbers of staff now absent,” the school’s head has told parents.

 

Head teachers say that the government’s announcements about increased isolation has forced many teachers to stay home, along with other workers such as bus drivers and catering staff, placing them in a difficult position.

[synaesthesia]

Probably means "computer".

 

Frankly if it helps, and someone wants a monitor to use with a laptop, a desktop to borrow, a keyboard/mouse or whatever, we'll do it. It'll be a whole lot easier if we had staff laptops at all, but we're coping. Allowing visualisers to go home too to help lessons be a little more interactive and allow for recorded lessons (we're not allowing live video under any circumstance if it's showing a face)

[jmak]

In context that:

1) I don't claim to know what the impact of specific mitigation measures will be

2) I think schools should have been closed last week

3) I have close relatives due to sit exams next term

 

Surely the exam years are the ones which least need to be in school. They should have covered all of the course content by now - year 10 and 12 kids would miss a big chunk out of the middle of their course, so have more to lose. Years 11 and 13 can be set revision tasks and then ask questions of teachers asynchronously when they get stuck. WRT exams, I think we should stop pretending they're going to go ahead and put the effort into working out what to do instead.

 

They are also of an age where they shouldn't need supervising at home. If we're keeping schools open with the aim of minimising impact on the rest of the working population, focus on keeping the youngest kids in school.

[witch]

So it looks like we are not covered for cancellation of our holiday. Although it isnt totally clear and I cannot get through to anyone on the phones - have been trying all day.

Travel agent was great and advised me that if they issued a cancellation notice - which is what we need for the claim - and we dont get the money, there wont be anything they can do in terms of rebooking - we would have lost the lot.

Not quite sure where to go from here atm

[StevieM]

So it looks like we are not covered for cancellation of our holiday. Although it isnt totally clear and I cannot get through to anyone on the phones - have been trying all day.

Travel agent was great and advised me that if they issued a cancellation notice - which is what we need for the claim - and we dont get the money, there wont be anything they can do in terms of rebooking - we would have lost the lot.

Not quite sure where to go from here atm

 

Did you pay by credit card, by any chance? If so, you may be able to claim that way.

[korifugi]

Well, we've just told the general populace of the Uni that we're stopping face to face lectures and moving it all online for the time being.

 

How long 'til a tutor gets themselves stuck in a contribute break out group?

[FishCustard]

Well, our school will be closed from tomorrow until the end of the Easter holidays in 5 weeks' time.

 

The closure isn't down to anyone in the school community confirmed as having COVID-19, but rather down to us having insufficient staff to operate safely (we're an SEN school).

 

I'll be in on a few days to do bits and pieces, but otherwise I guess my partner now has a PA for most days a week! (She's working from home)

[witch]

Did you pay by credit card, by any chance? If so, you may be able to claim that way.

 

Sadly, only if the holiday company has gone bust, it seems

[mikeprice]

my wife's son's brother-in-law has flown off to Amsterdam today - on a stag do - because he is a berk and won't be told what to do

 

just looked for travel advise to Amsterdam and all the bars are closed

 

which is funny!!

 

now just hoping he can;t get a flight home (ribbit ribbit)

 

although that would leave his Dad in the lurch as they work together - but would still be funny

 

most people who get stuck I feel sorry for - but he is an idiot so it is funny - especially as he would be stuck in a place with no bars

[mikeprice]

just got this from the NEU

 

Today, the leadership of the National Education Union has written to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, calling for the Government to close schools and colleges and protect vulnerable educators or those caring for at-risk family members.

 

We are also calling on the Government to fund and plan limited school opening for the children of key workers, those on free school meals and other children in need.

[6Foot2]

I have been told that I would be expected to work in school during any potential closure, as "...there would be no risk to me with nobody on site I would, effectively, be isolated."

[elsiegee40]

I was quite surprised to see vacancies still being posted. If you apply, expect to be interviewed on Skype!

[witch]

I have been told that I would be expected to work in school during any potential closure, as "...there would be no risk to me with nobody on site I would, effectively, be isolated."

 

Not on the way to or from work though!

Also being on site alone is not recommended by Health and Safety either