Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[smurfomatic]

Is this an impending announcement for all schools ?

 

Not as far as I'm aware (YMMV) - just that we're already down 25% of pupils, we're also losing staff at a similar rate, and it's only a week before the end of term anyway.

[Andrew_C]

Bill with provisions to make it easier for schools to stay open

 

provide powers to require educational institutions or childcare providers to stay open or relax some requirements around education legislation in order to help these institutions run effectively during the event of an emergency. This could include reducing teacher ratios, adapting school meal standards and relaxing provisions for those with special educational needs. This will ensure that children, young people and those who work with them remain safe, while minimising disruption to everyday life and progression to further and higher education or employment by ensuring schools have the flexibility and support they need to respond pragmatically to the changing situation

Edited March 18, 2020 by Andrew_C

[StevieM]

BBC Statement

 

The suspension of TV Dramas gave me a great platform for a couple of quick-fire zingers with our dinner ladi.... sorry... welfare staff.

 

Welfare1: They're stopping all the TV Dramas. No Holby, no Casualty...

Welfare2: Why???

Me: Because they need all the extra doctors and nurses on the frontline.

Welfare: Hahahahahahahaha

Welfare3:They're taking all the soaps off, too.

Welfare4: I only ever watch Home and Away.

Me: From now on, that's just going to be called 'Home'.

Welfare: Hahahahahahahaha

 

On FIY-YERRRR

[Ditto]

Bill with provisions to make it easier for schools to stay open

The section labelled "Managing the deceased with respect and dignity" is a very sobering read.

[Andycat]

Bill with provisions to make it easier for schools to stay open

 

 

 

But also :

provide a temporary power to close educational establishments or childcare providers

[caffrey]

Turns out our creaky old accounting package that runs slow in school, runs really poorly over VPN during the school day - who would have thought.... The 8 year old laptop I had to borrow for them probably isn't helping either

[StevieM]

From the BBC New feed:

 

Boris Johnson answers a question on schools by saying more action will be taken "imminently".

The UK PM pays tribute to "not just our teachers, but everyone who works in our schools for everything they have done to keep going through this crisis so far".

 

Mr Johnson says he wants to do more to "remove burdens on schools".

He adds: "The House should expect further decisions to be taken imminently on schools and how to be sure we square the circle, making sure we stop spread of the disease but relieve pressure on NHS."

 

 

That could mean anything!

[Andrew_C]

That could mean anything!

What do you expect? They haven't a clue... however, I doubt anyone really has.

[ICTDirect_Dave]

I'm on Virgin, and can VPN to work.

 

Likewise, I'm working remotely today and vpn over my virgin connection having no trouble right now.

[sigma]

I don't if this is wide issue, but we had VPN and remote support problem with some ISPs

 

TalkTalk

They will not allow VPN, they said to one member of our staff, they just don't support it

They block all kinds of remote support, Teamviewer and logmein rescue doesn't work, chrome remote desktop worked yesterday, doesn't today

 

BT Internet

VPN blocked

Remote support seemed to work last time

 

I guess they blocked remote support tools after lots of Indian scamming.

 

Going back to school, lots of teachers absent - 16. Very hard to get hold of supply teachers. Decision what next will be taken later today, possibly partial closure.

 

Lots of us complaining about sore throat, but I don't think it is Covid symptom - so maybe another bug making rounds.

 

Reception had a phone call from a parent demanding laptop for their kid in isolation - their home one is broken, after they pour water on it.

 

I'm working from home today. I can get to the servers via Home Access Plus on my school laptop. For my own kit, I use Disconnect.me paid VPN on BT and GiffGaff with no problems. (Win 10, Android 4G) My iPad will not connect with 4G but is fine with 3G.

[AB_IT]

NSFW but thought some immature souls like me would appreciate this!

[Slarty66]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51947148

[jmak]

Any idea whether car maintenance garages will remain open as essential services?

 

I have an MOT booked next week which expires on the 28th. Don't want to end up with a car that's illegal to use...

[CAM]

Scotland closing too. Surely England can't be far behind.

 

Regarding MOT, same boat here. If worst comes to worst you can't use your car but can drive it to an MOT if you bring the booking with you to show the Police.

[elsiegee40]

It would appear that both our offspring are returning to the nest given the option of rattling round a flat on their own working from home or social distancing with us.

 

Happy to have them and they’re both pretty easy to live with (apart from daughter’s untidiness ). It’s going to be an “interesting” dynamic. Ground rules will need to be established!

[LeMarchand]

Regarding MOT, same boat here. If worst comes to worst you can't use your car but can drive it to an MOT if you bring the booking with you to show the Police.

 

Not much help for getting to work, though!

 

It would appear that both our offspring are returning to the nest given the option of rattling round a flat on their own working from home or social distancing with us.

Prays that Mme LeMarchand doesn't see this and decide to pre-empt her crisis contingency plan. BD#1 can be... challenging.

[Jonah]

Education Secretary to make statement at 5pm...

[hardtailstar]

It would appear that both our offspring are returning to the nest given the option of rattling round a flat on their own working from home or social distancing with us.

 

Happy to have them and they’re both pretty easy to live with (apart from daughter’s untidiness ). It’s going to be an “interesting” dynamic. Ground rules will need to be established!

 

I live with my parents and have told them in the event of a lock down I will be the only going doing the shopping etc

[CalmBlueOcean]

Any idea whether car maintenance garages will remain open as essential services?

 

I have an MOT booked next week which expires on the 28th. Don't want to end up with a car that's illegal to use...

 

 

I wondered this as well, jmak. I can't see them closing MOT test centres. If we're looking at long term closures of 12 weeks (??), that's roughly one in four cars that will be unable to be driven once normality returns.

Unless they put special provision in place to relax the law on that of course.

[fiza]

So schools in Scotland and Wales to close from Friday. Surely Boris will follow suit?

[the_quick]

So they can make this decisions on they own? To close down? I just wonder about details, as Sturgeon said something about providing help with NHS staff kids

[Andycat]

Yes I think there's a lot more in the detail than just "closed"

[Theblacksheep]

Yes I think there's a lot more in the detail than just "closed"

 

I can see schools being open for emergency staff children, but we'll see.

[CAM]

Childcare services basically. Students can't learn much without their classmates getting severely left behind.

[pooley]

Schools in Wales closed, Easter brought forward, some wishy washy comment about re-purposing the the schools. How if Easter is brought forward and all staff on holidays?