Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[ICTDirect_Dave]

I really don't know what to do about my mum. She'll be 85 in May, had heart surgery last year, has stage 3 kidney disease and is on so many tablets for these and other conditions that she almost rattles when she walks. She's lived alone since my dad died 7 years ago.

 

Up until now, I've been visiting her regularly, but she phoned me last night and told me that I shouldn't be going to see her; that she shouldn't be seeing anyone. She'll miss me (and Ciara the dog) visiting, but as long as we keep in touch by phone...

 

In reality, she'll spend all her time worrying, won't bother eating properly, sink into depression and potentially lose the plot. She doesn't have an Internet connection or a smart phone (and wouldn't know how to use it if she did!) so can't do video-calling or online shopping. One of us will have to do shopping for her, and I can't imagine then just leaving it on the doorstep. It would break my heart every time.

 

The thing is, other elderly people who can't take care of themselves will still have carers visiting them. Staff at care/nursing homes will still be going home after their shift then coming back into contact with vulnerable residents. The only difference I can see between those scenarios and me and/or my brothers visiting my mum is that if, heaven forbid, she should catch the virus - we'd know that it had come from us.

 

The only other alternative would be for me to go into complete lockdown with my mum at her house for at least the next 3 months, which (as much as I love my mum) would quite possibly cause me to lose the plot. It would also make her feel incredibly guilty; she already thinks that she's a nuisance because we 'have' to do things for her. No, Mum, we do them because we 'want' to.

What to do...what to do...

My wife was worried about her grandfather. We decided that regardless of weather we'd turn up with coats and a brolley and she'd have a chat through the kitchen window.

So long as there's no restrictions in place on travel by car this will be fine for the time being.

[TIOAOA]

We're doing a creche.

Is doing this type of thing not just replacing your pupils with your staffs children, in a way defeating the object of closing in the first place ?

[Andycat]

Is doing this type of thing not just replacing your pupils with your staffs children, in a way defeating the object of closing in the first place ?

 

Well unless they make us key workers too, what do we do with our kids while we look after everyone elses?

Edited March 19, 2020 by elsiegee40

[Bionic]

The classification of 'key-worker' will be, well, KEY. I am IT Manager at a large secondary school. We will be sending 1100+ pupils home tomorrow and have created resources in the cloud for them. I am solely responsible for supporting all cloud platforms used for teaching resources, as well as all ICT equipment loaned to FSM pupils and staff to enable home-working. Does that make me a key worker? I am more than happy to come to work, as long as I can work alone in my office, without being disturbed by other staff/children coming and going. A sort of in-work isolation.

[3s-gtech]

Staff (not just teachers, all staff) have been indicated that they're working Easter. The distinction is going to be needed - if they cancel my leave (I work 52 weeks and have to book outside term-time) over Easter...

[keyboards]

I feel physically, mentally exhausted, over all this and work the last few days

[Bionic]

I feel physically, mentally exhausted, over all this and work the last few days

 

I can relate, look after yourself!

[Edu-IT]

Is doing this type of thing not just replacing your pupils with your staffs children, in a way defeating the object of closing in the first place ?[/quote

 

Well unless they make us key workers too, what do we do with our kids while we look after everyone elses?

I'm pretty sure Gavin said school staff will be key workers.

[Andrew_C]

Is doing this type of thing not just replacing your pupils with your staffs children, in a way defeating the object of closing in the first place ?

Ahhh... You've spotted the flaw in the cunning plan!

 

TBF, there should be far fewer kids in. (Well, until parents get fed up with their feral offspring being around the house when they are trying to work from home.

[CalmBlueOcean]

I wonder how it works for nurseries closing down. We find out tomorrow from our daughter's, apparently.

If I, as a Network Manager count as a key-worker, will I be expected to come in and send my daughter to nursery everyday (with those fees continuing I presume?).

Potentially I can save a bit of money if I look after her at home instead! (mum is a key-worker in the NHS)

[sonofsanta]

Shout out to Bromcom, as well: we were meant to have an onsite training day on Wednesday and start ramping up to an April 27th launch, but they've pushed us back to June 1st. Which--as the smallest of silver linings--is actually more convenient for us, now there's no exams to worry about!

[mikeprice]

Ahhh... You've spotted the flaw in the cunning plan!

 

TBF, there should be far fewer kids in. (Well, until parents get fed up with their feral offspring being around the house when they are trying to work from home.

 

This might become a problem - some school may have to end up insisting that people give some kind of proof that they are a 'key worker'

because 'some people' will try to game the system

if they do I reckon the local paper should be asked to Name and Shame

[RLR]

Is it up to the school to determine who the key workers are? As a school that has moved to remote learning that we have to support as IT people, does that make us a key worker?

[ZeroHour]

MOD NOTE: We are looking to move this out to General chat given all the advice in it. If you want a post removed or moved to the BTRD area please pm me with a link pr report the post. Edited March 19, 2020 by elsiegee40

[Seb1780]

I'm currently in isolation with mild symptoms.

 

I can empathise with those concerned about parents and other loved ones.

My dad died on Monday. Nothing to do with this virus, he was very ill and his passing is something of a relief.

Where this blasted thing does hurt though is in the aftermath of such an event. I didn't make it to the hospital in time to see him before he went, but even if I had I would not have been allowed in. I spent a hour in the car park with my mum and my sister, both desperately upset, and I couldn't hug them. Nor will I be able to for some time.

 

And now we're moving on to the necessary arrangements, but uncertainty clouds everything. Will we even be able to have a funeral? We cannot possibly invite dad's friends and former colleagues because they're all over 70. Scenes from Italy with bodies being moved for mass cremation play on my mind.

 

My only hope is that I do have the virus, and I can get tested to prove I've had it. Then, at least, I can see my family without fear of passing something on.

 

Sorry if this is inappropriate, I had to get it off my chest.

[Ditto]

Is it up to the school to determine who the key workers are? As a school that has moved to remote learning that we have to support as IT people, does that make us a key worker?

due to be announced later today, but already called out are "NHS staff, police and supermarket delivery drivers".

[mikeprice]

I'm currently in isolation with mild symptoms.

 

I can empathise with those concerned about parents and other loved ones.

My dad died on Monday. Nothing to do with this virus, he was very ill and his passing is something of a relief.

Where this blasted thing does hurt though is in the aftermath of such an event. I didn't make it to the hospital in time to see him before he went, but even if I had I would not have been allowed in. I spent a hour in the car park with my mum and my sister, both desperately upset, and I couldn't hug them. Nor will I be able to for some time.

 

And now we're moving on to the necessary arrangements, but uncertainty clouds everything. Will we even be able to have a funeral? We cannot possibly invite dad's friends and former colleagues because they're all over 70. Scenes from Italy with bodies being moved for mass cremation play on my mind.

 

My only hope is that I do have the virus, and I can get tested to prove I've had it. Then, at least, I can see my family without fear of passing something on.

 

Sorry if this is inappropriate, I had to get it off my chest.

 

sorry to hear that

 

best to get it off your chest - and we are always here to listen

 

:grouphug:

[the_quick]

We were told that parent-key workers only can leave kids in school, if both the parent or single parent are key workers.

 

So if mum is a nurse, but father is it support in a private business they will be not allowed to leave kids with us. Will see on Monday how it works

[RLR]

We were told that parent-key workers only can leave kids in school, if both the parent or single parent are key workers.

 

So if mum is a nurse, but father is it support in a private business they will be not allowed to leave kids with us. Will see on Monday how it works

 

Yes, I just heard this also. Support staff and teaching staff are considered key workers at schools.

 

To leave your kids in school, both parents need to be a key worker.

[Theblacksheep]

I'm currently in isolation with mild symptoms.

 

I can empathise with those concerned about parents and other loved ones.

My dad died on Monday. Nothing to do with this virus, he was very ill and his passing is something of a relief.

Where this blasted thing does hurt though is in the aftermath of such an event. I didn't make it to the hospital in time to see him before he went, but even if I had I would not have been allowed in. I spent a hour in the car park with my mum and my sister, both desperately upset, and I couldn't hug them. Nor will I be able to for some time.

 

And now we're moving on to the necessary arrangements, but uncertainty clouds everything. Will we even be able to have a funeral? We cannot possibly invite dad's friends and former colleagues because they're all over 70. Scenes from Italy with bodies being moved for mass cremation play on my mind.

 

My only hope is that I do have the virus, and I can get tested to prove I've had it. Then, at least, I can see my family without fear of passing something on.

 

Sorry if this is inappropriate, I had to get it off my chest.

 

Mate. Sorry to hear that, it must be so hard not able to give the people you love and others a hug.

 

Talk away, PM me if you wanna just get something off your chest to someone.

[Andrew_C]

Anyone tried to buy a usb microphone, or headsets.... Practically nothing on A*azon

[LeMarchand]

Lots of password changes to kerboodle and other services, teachers are waking up and try to use services they supposed to use for the last few months. Of course everything is expected asap/on the spot. We are busy. Most annoying part is, that there is little guidance from central government DfE.

 

Yep, had a teacher ask another to email her the contents of Folder X as she "forgot her laptop" (this is the one who always needs it and can't spare it when I go to try to look at a reported problem). I said that they all have ample OneDrive storage but apparently she doesn't know how to use it.

[elsiegee40]

If you need to be told this...

[elsiegee40]

I'm currently in isolation with mild symptoms.

 

I can empathise with those concerned about parents and other loved ones.

My dad died on Monday. Nothing to do with this virus, he was very ill and his passing is something of a relief.

Where this blasted thing does hurt though is in the aftermath of such an event. I didn't make it to the hospital in time to see him before he went, but even if I had I would not have been allowed in. I spent a hour in the car park with my mum and my sister, both desperately upset, and I couldn't hug them. Nor will I be able to for some time.

 

And now we're moving on to the necessary arrangements, but uncertainty clouds everything. Will we even be able to have a funeral? We cannot possibly invite dad's friends and former colleagues because they're all over 70. Scenes from Italy with bodies being moved for mass cremation play on my mind.

 

My only hope is that I do have the virus, and I can get tested to prove I've had it. Then, at least, I can see my family without fear of passing something on.

 

Sorry if this is inappropriate, I had to get it off my chest.

 

Not inappropriate in the least. You have my deepest sympathies.

[sonofsanta]

If you need to be told this...[ATTACH]57288[/ATTACH]

 

 

Turns out the TidePod challenge was preventative medicine all along!