Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[psydii]

Parents are going to be miffed when they hear how little provision will be provided.

 

Yes, they are. We are in a similar situation (but not planning to open to all years until September, this may change).

 

The point though is two fold 1) Comply with the directive issued from central government. 2) Build capability and experience safely managing the building, people and their education given the new normal.

[6Foot2]

Link:

[Picture Tweet Reply]

 

We care about public spaces... and private ones too! Thank you to whoever photoshopped a pic of our sign earlier, you’ve given us all a laugh

[mikeprice]

There was an article yesterday saying that there is 'some evidence' that they were having problems in Wuhan as early as August

 

the evidence is circumstantial - at best - but

 

lets think

 

If it starts in Wuhan in August but it not identified

Then they realise they have a problem - but the Chinese regime is not a great place for local authorities to admit a problem to the Central authorities - so they keep quiet and try to deal with - what they see as - a minor increase in local pneumonia

 

then it gets to September/October - so Chinese students go back to college/university - many of which as in the West - big cities like London, New York, Liverpool, etc etc etc

 

Now - theses people are young and fairly fit and active as they are mostly students - a group that often shows few, if any symptoms - and recovers with no need for hospitals

 

So - in the West we see no problem - in spite of the virus starting to circulate around the whole student population of Europe, USA, Canada etc - but still in this group that shows few symptoms

 

then it gets to Christmas and all the local students head home - carrying the virus with them

 

First signs in the UK and other European countries seem to have started in January/February - just when it would be expected to start being seen in old people who have been infected by younger students home for Christmas

 

 

 

OK - I'm heading off in the direction of Flat Earth levels of evidence

 

Clearly not any actual reason to blame China - it does seem that the Central people reported a problem as soon as it was clear there was something weird happening - although this may change

 

but it would explain why Europe (especially) seemed to explode in certain areas when the reasons have seemed a bit fuzzy

 

all this is possibly rubbish and is based on my (and my wife's) expert knowledge of public health and Virus spreading concepts - which is naff all - and stretching tiny bits of evidence to their limit and beyond

[jthompson]

I suspect the genotypes being seen in different outbreaks around the world would put that theory to bed. The prevalence of different strains of the virus seen in Europe compared to that seen in Wuhan and other earlier outbreaks will inform as to how/where/when a particular country's outbreak started.

[LeMarchand]

Anyone else using PPE? Trying to work out if we've just got a batch of stinky masks, or if it's normal for them to smell a bit funky.

[mikeprice]

Info today about the genetic makeup of the virus suggests that the UK infections arrived from Europe not China (mostly)

 

It also says that there is no 'patient zero' and it arrived from lots of places over a period of time

 

same for the USA - although that doesn't suit the authorised message so I doubt it will be shouted about much from certain quarters

[Norphy]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/11/marmite-supplies-hit-by-covid-19-beer-brewing-slowdown-yeast

 

Right, that's it. I've had enough. Bad enough we've been locked inside for the last three months. Bad enough that we've had to juggle childcare with working at home. Bad enough we've not seen family or friends for the three months. Bad enough that we're had to take our life into our hands each time we went shopping and even then, couldn't get bog rolls or pasta for six weeks and are still having trouble getting flour. Now Marmite supplies are in jeopardy? Grrrrr

 

 

Please note, post is not entirely serious

[elsiegee40]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/11/marmite-supplies-hit-by-covid-19-beer-brewing-slowdown-yeast

 

Right, that's it. I've had enough. Bad enough we've been locked inside for the last three months. Bad enough that we've had to juggle childcare with working at home. Bad enough we've not seen family or friends for the three months. Bad enough that we're had to take our life into our hands each time we went shopping and even then, couldn't get bog rolls or pasta for six weeks and are still having trouble getting flour. Now Marmite supplies are in jeopardy? Grrrrr

 

 

Please note, post is not entirely serious

 

But a marmite shortage is a crisis, I agree!

[Andrew_C]

We'd noticed that the LARGE jars were unavailable, and had guessed that the brewers were just not producing enough yeast.

 

It is a crisis of the order of the "Great Bog Roll Shortage" in our house.

[mikeprice]

Looks like there is a plan to get rid of (or reduce) the 2m rule

 

Mainly to make it easier to get people back to work

 

and probably to make it easier to open schools

 

but what about us - my wife is shielding - and if the 2m rule is removed then people in shops will start acting normally and not 'social distancing' in Tesco

 

but my wife is still just as vulnerable as she is now

which may be 'not at all' or may be' extremely' - there is no real way of knowing unless she gets it - and then we she how she deals with it

 

Oh - and I have asthma - and am male - and have hair loss - and am over 60 (just) - so I am in several risk categories as well - apparently - maybe

 

 

maybe I'll just get a lottery ticket and win - then buy a deserted island and hire a personalised delivery service by remote control drone

[ianurlgriffiths]

DFE Laptops\Chromebooks, any one got a copy of a letter for parents etc I can copy?

[Andycat]

DFE Laptops\Chromebooks, any one got a copy of a letter for parents etc I can copy?

 

Me too please, if we ever get to order them.

[ianurlgriffiths]

We have received our 136 today....

[Rob_D]

We received 2 laptops last Friday, but according to our LGA contact it's a different "branch" of the scheme because they haven't been able to order anything for schools yet.

[StevieM]

Looks like there is a plan to get rid of (or reduce) the 2m rule

 

Mainly to make it easier to get people back to work

 

and probably to make it easier to open schools

 

There was also mention of a 'big summer of catch-up' before schools re-open to all pupils in September. That's going to go down well with school staff who have been slogging their guts out dealing with this (teachers and support staff). More details from Gavin 'Go Away and Shut Up' Williamson are to follow.

[kennysarmy]

There was also mention of a 'big summer of catch-up' before schools re-open to all pupils in September. That's going to go down well with school staff who have been slogging their guts out dealing with this (teachers and support staff). More details from Gavin 'Go Away and Shut Up' Williamson are to follow.

 

I've only taken 3 1/2 days leave since January!

[StevieM]

I'm TTO + 2 weeks and I've already worked through the Easter holidays, the summer half-term and the entire last Bank Holiday weekend. I'm not complaining, though. I'm happy to do what needs to be done, and I'd already planned to go in during the summer to do a load of upgrades. That will be more difficult if the school is going to be open the whole time.

[paulkerton]

I've only taken 3 1/2 days leave since January!

2 days since January here too.

This is why they've told everyone we can be allowed to take holiday entitlement into the next 2 years of entitlement. Can being the major word here. There are, as always, caveats with this!

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/holiday-entitlement-and-pay-during-coronavirus-covid-19

- - - Updated - - -

 

I'm TTO + 2 weeks and I've already worked through the Easter holidays, the summer half-term and the entire last Bank Holiday weekend. I'm not complaining, though. I'm happy to do what needs to be done, and I'd already planned to go in during the summer to do a load of upgrades. That will be more difficult if the school is going to be open the whole time.

Hope you're claiming overtime for that.

Edited June 11, 2020 by paulkerton

[Andycat]

2 days since January here too.

This is why they've told everyone we can be allowed to take holiday entitlement into the next 2 years of entitlement. Can being the major word here. There are, as always, caveats with this!

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/holiday-entitlement-and-pay-during-coronavirus-covid-19

.

 

We've been told that's only for Frontline workers who have had leave refused, so therefore can't

[paulkerton]

We've been told that's only for Frontline workers who have had leave refused, so therefore can't

Nothing in the guidance or legislation limits it to frontline workers only... However, you are a keyworker anyway. If you are working in schools, you're a keyworker.

They'll have to allow you to take the holiday before your entitlement expires then. Can't have it both ways, can they?

Edited June 11, 2020 by paulkerton

[Garacesh]

DFE Laptops\Chromebooks, any one got a copy of a letter for parents etc I can copy?

Me too please, if we ever get to order them.

 

If you're talking typical Ts&Cs for parents to sign, I don't mind throwing mine at you.

[Andycat]

If you're talking typical Ts&Cs for parents to sign, I don't mind throwing mine at you.

 

Yes please if you would?

[Garacesh]

Sure, PM me your e-mail and I'll fire it across

[6Foot2]

A tram in Rabat (attached)

 

[caffrey]

Our chromebooks got delivered today too, DPD have a new method of delivering with zero contact