Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[LeMarchand]

Further to my post a bit above, have just "discovered" that at least one male member of staff bizarrely thinks that a desultory wipe on hand towels (no soap or water) is good enough after using the urinal.

[the_quick]

Mask wearing - all staff and students have to wear a masks if walking along the corridor. I had few member of staffing coming into my office and first things they do is take the mask off - I don't understand reasoning behind it, of course asked them to put it on back again.

[sonofsanta]

People here are being pretty good about wearing masks (though one staff member got a bit uppity when asked to put one on in our office yesterday; one of us gets ill we all go home, so see how well that works out versus just putting a mask on) which is pretty lucky given that the boys' school in town has already been told to send their Year 7 home. That'd be the boys school where we share some sixth form lessons, and who our girls hang out with. Fun times ahead.

[Andrew_C]

Mrs C reports that the 6th form in her school were already licking each other in the dinner queues. Head thinks masks on staff "will scare the children". FFS...

[mavhc]

Dead teachers will scare them more, they should be scared

[paulkerton]

Several schools in my area are already starting to report cases and having to close again.

Absolute mess.

[mikeprice]

Just been watching the news

 

They are going on about the people wanting a test appointment and they live in London

 

and they get offered Inverness

 

Now - OK - news people will take the worst option for effect

 

BUT

 

I cycle past the testing station near Liverpool Airport several times a week - at varying times from mid morning to late afternoon (not early morning because that would been getting up!)

 

It is always pretty much empty

 

At the start I once saw 3 lines of about 5 or 6 cars each

 

since then max I see is a couple of cars - i.e. no queue at all

 

so if anyone in London can only get an appointment in Inverness (or anywhere North is Widnes) then their booking system is carp

 

I am pretty damn sure there is a generic 3rd party system where you type in the GPS address (or whatever) or each resource - identify the start and finish times and booking slot length

and it will work out the an appointment for your client

 

doesn't sound like rocket science in this day and age (OK - I have no idea of how a mapping and routing systems works - but that is known technology)

 

something somewhere seems to be less than optimal

Edited September 8, 2020 by mikeprice

[Andrew_C]

I am pretty damn sure there is a generic 3rd party system where you type in the GPS address (or whatever) or each resource - identify the start and finish times and booking slot length and it will work out the an appointment for your client, doesn't sound like rocket science in this day and age (OK - I have no idea of how a mapping and routing systems works - but that is known technology) something somewhere seems to be less than optimal

Yeah, you weren't invited to "tender" for the work as you aren't a major party donor.

[Duranis]

This place is driving me insane with the Covid 19 "precautions" (or lack thereof).

 

I had to ask for hand sanitizer. It had been given out to all the classrooms but not me. I also haven't been given any kind of cleaning supplies.

Year groups are supposed to be isolated from each other but I'm still expect to move between classes.

This morning I was expected to go to every class, one after the other, to make sure the group zoom meeting was signed in and working.

I'm not allowed to wear masks or gloves.

Covid 19 risk assessment makes no mention of me or the roll I play in school, or how IT problems are supposed to be dealt with.

People are coming and standing in the door of my 4ftX8ft room (with no windows, less then 1.5m away from me) and telling me their problems despite me saying multiple times to send an email.

Children are being sent to me (through the areas used by other year groups) to solve their problems.

I got a bollocking for not going round all the classrooms searching for some missing cameras (that are over 10 years old and need replacing anyway).

Nobody is observing social distancing. First day back the FLO gave the secretary a big hug.... 5 teachers from different groups where standing side by side sorting through a delivery.

 

There is very little difference here between a normal pre-covid day and now.

[jthompson]

Just been watching the news

 

They are going on about the people wanting a test appointment and they live in London

 

and they get offered Inverness

 

I think the official response to those stories was that if people try at a different time of day, they may get a test closer to home as the next batch of appointment slots for the day becomes available on the system.

[elsiegee40]

My mother in law was taken ill this morning. The first GP they spoke to refused to see her unless she had a coronavirus test. The closest they could get was in Essex... they live near Milton Keynes.

 

They rang 111 who said that her symptoms weren’t coronavirus and to ring the surgery again.

 

They rang again, spoke to a different GP and she’s been carted off to hospital in an ambulance with a suspected pulmonary embolism.

 

Now I know they probably should have called 999 first, but the first GP’s response was less than helpful.

 

As for what is actually wrong with MiL, we have no idea. FiL has been told to ring the hospital about 5pm. He is beside himself.

 

We suspect that this is actually linked to MiL’s depression and panic attacks which have been getting much worse recently.

[mavhc]

This place is driving me insane with the Covid 19 "precautions" (or lack thereof).

 

I had to ask for hand sanitizer. It had been given out to all the classrooms but not me. I also haven't been given any kind of cleaning supplies.

Year groups are supposed to be isolated from each other but I'm still expect to move between classes.

This morning I was expected to go to every class, one after the other, to make sure the group zoom meeting was signed in and working.

I'm not allowed to wear masks or gloves.

Covid 19 risk assessment makes no mention of me or the roll I play in school, or how IT problems are supposed to be dealt with.

People are coming and standing in the door of my 4ftX8ft room (with no windows, less then 1.5m away from me) and telling me their problems despite me saying multiple times to send an email.

Children are being sent to me (through the areas used by other year groups) to solve their problems.

I got a bollocking for not going round all the classrooms searching for some missing cameras (that are over 10 years old and need replacing anyway).

Nobody is observing social distancing. First day back the FLO gave the secretary a big hug.... 5 teachers from different groups where standing side by side sorting through a delivery.

 

There is very little difference here between a normal pre-covid day and now.

 

First thing is: There's no way they can make you not wear a mask. Tell them you're working from home if you're not allowed to.

 

2nd thing: lock the door, leave the key in the lock if people unlock it.

[keyboards]

Been back two days we are 100% just back to normal, no difference at all

[mikeprice]

My mother in law was taken ill this morning. The first GP they spoke to refused to see her unless she had a coronavirus test. The closest they could get was in Essex... they live near Milton Keynes.

 

They rang 111 who said that her symptoms weren’t coronavirus and to ring the surgery again.

 

They rang again, spoke to a different GP and she’s been carted off to hospital in an ambulance with a suspected pulmonary embolism.

 

Now I know they probably should have called 999 first, but the first GP’s response was less than helpful.

 

As for what is actually wrong with MiL, we have no idea. FiL has been told to ring the hospital about 5pm. He is beside himself.

 

We suspect that this is actually linked to MiL’s depression and panic attacks which have been getting much worse recently.

 

Sending sympathy

 

hope it works out OK

 

[mikeprice]

First thing is: There's no way they can make you not wear a mask. Tell them you're working from home if you're not allowed to.

 

2nd thing: lock the door, leave the key in the lock if people unlock it.

 

Put a notice on the door saying

 

ALL problems MUST be reported by email

 

people knocking on the door will be ignored

 

In big letters

 

then prepare for the complaints

 

and - no - they cannot stop you wearing a mask - contact union immediately so you can quote something specific

[Ditto]

This place is driving me insane with the Covid 19 "precautions" (or lack thereof).

 

I had to ask for hand sanitizer. It had been given out to all the classrooms but not me. I also haven't been given any kind of cleaning supplies.

Year groups are supposed to be isolated from each other but I'm still expect to move between classes.

This morning I was expected to go to every class, one after the other, to make sure the group zoom meeting was signed in and working.

I'm not allowed to wear masks or gloves.

Covid 19 risk assessment makes no mention of me or the roll I play in school, or how IT problems are supposed to be dealt with.

People are coming and standing in the door of my 4ftX8ft room (with no windows, less then 1.5m away from me) and telling me their problems despite me saying multiple times to send an email.

Children are being sent to me (through the areas used by other year groups) to solve their problems.

I got a bollocking for not going round all the classrooms searching for some missing cameras (that are over 10 years old and need replacing anyway).

Nobody is observing social distancing. First day back the FLO gave the secretary a big hug.... 5 teachers from different groups where standing side by side sorting through a delivery.

 

There is very little difference here between a normal pre-covid day and now.

You might try contacting HSE and asking for their advice. It's unacceptable for you.

[Rob_D]

2nd thing: lock the door, leave the key in the lock if people unlock it.

 

When someone here tried that in pre-covid times the site team uninstalled the lock.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

2nd thing: lock the door, leave the key in the lock if people unlock it.

 

When someone here tried that in pre-covid times the site team uninstalled the lock.

[mikeprice]

When someone here tried that in pre-covid times the site team uninstalled the lock.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

 

 

When someone here tried that in pre-covid times the site team uninstalled the lock.

 

There is a H&S problem there - if no-one can open the door and you collapse then you can't be seen to be rescued

which is why doors should have glass in them

 

however - that doesn't mean you have to answer it to people who totally ignore proper safety precautions

when a proper alternative is available

 

You NEED to have a proper buy-in from SMT saying that you will not accept ANY problem report of request for help that comes to your door - all reports and request MUST come via email/app as appropriate

 

people arriving at the door can then be politely (maybe YMMV) be sent away and told to log it properly

I would suggest a child gate to block people - appropriate really if they are acting like toddlers

 

 

OH - and - check this with union - if the risk assessment does not include IT - then log this as a major risk - via email so it is recorded - and note this point

[Duranis]

Yeah not in a union unfortunately, though I really should be.

 

Also while they technically couldn't do anything I have had a formal disciplinary here for not fixing software that was requested (it is over 12 years old and not compatible with modern browsers) and for not getting new equipment in and set up in a timely manner (I had been sending quotes for approval for 3 months). If they can get away with that there isn't much I can do if they decide I'm a pain they don't want to deal with anymore. If the hours weren't super convenient I wouldn't be here.

[stevejp]

Yeah not in a union unfortunately, though I really should be.

 

Also while they technically couldn't do anything I have had a formal disciplinary here for not fixing software that was requested (it is over 12 years old and not compatible with modern browsers) and for not getting new equipment in and set up in a timely manner (I had been sending quotes for approval for 3 months). If they can get away with that there isn't much I can do if they decide I'm a pain they don't want to deal with anymore. If the hours weren't super convenient I wouldn't be here.

 

Union! Now!!

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/217065-neu-added-50-000-members-covid-pandemic.html

 

Seriously, it’s dangerous enough to not be in a union at the best of times, but given the examples that you’ve given here? Travelling a bit further or having different hours might be a bit more inconvenient, but nowhere near as inconvenient as not having a job, and with a trumped up disciplinary on your record and reference. Might the reason that they ‘got away with that’ be because you had no union advice and representation to fall back on?

 

Please, please, please protect yourself - and that goes for anyone else not in a union. This isn’t about politics - it’s about someone having your back if the dark brown sticky stuff hits the fan!

[elsiegee40]

 

Union discussion subsequent to the previous post has been moved to the Union thread.

 

To summarise... If you aren’t in a union, join one. The choice of union isn’t for discussion in the Coronavirus thread.

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/217065-neu-added-50-000-members-covid-pandemic.html

 

Back on topic in the Coronavirus thread

 

[LeMarchand]

So: No more than six people together unless at school, work, sporting event...

[elsiegee40]

My mother in law was taken ill this morning. The first GP they spoke to refused to see her unless she had a coronavirus test. The closest they could get was in Essex... they live near Milton Keynes.

 

They rang 111 who said that her symptoms weren’t coronavirus and to ring the surgery again.

 

They rang again, spoke to a different GP and she’s been carted off to hospital in an ambulance with a suspected pulmonary embolism.

 

Now I know they probably should have called 999 first, but the first GP’s response was less than helpful.

 

As for what is actually wrong with MiL, we have no idea. FiL has been told to ring the hospital about 5pm. He is beside himself. [emoji20]

 

We suspect that this is actually linked to MiL’s depression and panic attacks which have been getting much worse recently.

 

MiL definitely has a pulmonary embolism.

 

Before lockdown she was reluctant to exercise, even going out for walks, due to her anxiety problems. It would seem she hasn’t been exercising at all during lockdown.

 

FiL spilt the beans last night. The only visits to the garden have been when we visited and when Mr gee40’s brother visited. We were asked not to go a couple of weeks ago due to MiL worrying. Claims of going out for walks have been lies to reassure the sons who don’t live close enough to checkup.

 

So you spend months sat in an armchair and the inevitable happens. [emoji20]

 

FiL had a stroke a few years back and is supposed to be exercising regularly. He has done more than MiL, but not a lot. Not exactly sure what we can do to make them move around once she is released from hospital.

 

The hidden effects of covid-19 on mental health

Edited September 9, 2020 by elsiegee40

[Andrew_C]

So: No more than six people together unless at school, work, sporting event...

pubs.

 

Six of you can go to the pub. Along with 20 other groups of 6.

 

AND we can all gather together like idiots until Monday. To say the response has been shambolic is a total understatement.

[BOOT]

Pub seems to be a safer environment than school TBH.