Coronavirus: General discussion (see opening post for rules)

[JordanT91]

It seems that school staff aren't as safe as being made out, especially if you're in a Special School: https://www.tes.com/news/coronavirus-teachers-almost-twice-likely-get-covid-says-neu

 

(Hope this isn't considered the "P" word, especially as I'm not sure Starmer would have handled thing differently).

 

We (special schools) have known this all along. In November and December we were absolutely hammered by the virus. It was obvious to everyone involved that PHE and the government have been outright lying.

[Ditto]

It seems that school staff aren't as safe as being made out, especially if you're in a Special School: https://www.tes.com/news/coronavirus-teachers-almost-twice-likely-get-covid-says-neu

 

(Hope this isn't considered the "P" word, especially as I'm not sure Starmer would have handled thing differently).

This wouldn't surprise me, but reading through the report, it's doesn't look particularly thorough or scientific in it's approach. Perhaps one thing that can be gleaned however is measure that shows support staff being more at risk than teaching staff. I would support a more thorough investigation, but for any support staff who can work effectively from home, but are being pressurised to attend school, this adds weight to asking for a reconsideration.

[LeMarchand]

I'm wondering if the increased risk for support isn't to people like us, but the TAs who have to work in closer proximity to the pupils - something that I imagine applies to even teachers in special schools (and even more so to TAs there).

[stevejp]

I'm wondering if the increased risk for support isn't to people like us, but the TAs who have to work in closer proximity to the pupils - something that I imagine applies to even teachers in special schools (and even more so to TAs there).

 

My first thought, as well...

[mikeprice]

I'm wondering if the increased risk for support isn't to people like us, but the TAs who have to work in closer proximity to the pupils - something that I imagine applies to even teachers in special schools (and even more so to TAs there).

 

Excellent point

 

I would make the same point when people start lauding teacher for their bravery in doing their job as front line workers during this pandemic

 

I once stunned the whole staff room when people were talking about a forthcoming teacher pay rise

I suggested the money would be better going to TAs as they needed it more

 

people outside schools forget TAs are the main close pupil contact - especially in Primary - for a lot of kids

 

but they don't have big strong unions behind them

[mavhc]

Given the teachers keep gathering in the staff room for lunch, it's not entirely the government's fault

[6Foot2]

Given the teachers keep gathering in the staff room for lunch, it's not entirely the government's fault

 

Non sequitur.

[Primus]

Excellent point

 

I would make the same point when people start lauding teacher for their bravery in doing their job as front line workers during this pandemic

 

I once stunned the whole staff room when people were talking about a forthcoming teacher pay rise

I suggested the money would be better going to TAs as they needed it more

 

people outside schools forget TAs are the main close pupil contact - especially in Primary - for a lot of kids

 

but they don't have big strong unions behind them

 

The NEU is open to support staff.

[DGardiner]

Given the teachers keep gathering in the staff room for lunch, it's not entirely the government's fault

 

9am email: BUBBLES MUST NOT MIX FOR ANY REASON

 

9:15: CAKE IN THE STAFF ROOM!

[mikeprice]

The NEU is open to support staff.

 

Yes - but I don;t think they have enough volume of members t o force a radical change to how they are treated

 

it really needs TAs terms and condition to be looked at centrally and for there to be a central voice representing them - in the same way that the Teacher unions act together

 

and, of course, other support groups need to be included as well

 

 

Back on Topic

 

Local paper seems to be saying the local care home residents should all have 'the jab' by the end of the week

and the next 2 groups - over 70s plus the shielding group - should be sorted by the end of the week as well - although I'm not sure what they mean by that

so - hopefully Mrs mikeprice should be done in the next few days!

[sonofsanta]

Got our first vaccine letter in our house, for 75 year old mother-in-law. All very exciting! First appointment booked for Monday afternoon at the mass vaccination centre at Boston. Half-hour drive isn't quite as convenient as local GP's, but at least we have a mass-vaccination centre nearby where we know we'll always be able to get an appointment.

 

Oh, you have to book the second appointment at the same time. Well, that makes sense. We'll just go back to Bost--

 

--oh. Right.

 

Second appointment only available for us in Leicester, 60 miles away. What a joke.

[6Foot2]

I took my sister to her vaccination appointment yesterday. She works with people who need temporary accommodation after coming out of hospital.

 

She isn't working at the moment, as she is recovering from a major operation but she expects to be hosting a temporary client shortly.

[Ditto]

Got our first vaccine letter in our house, for 75 year old mother-in-law. All very exciting! First appointment booked for Monday afternoon at the mass vaccination centre at Boston. Half-hour drive isn't quite as convenient as local GP's, but at least we have a mass-vaccination centre nearby where we know we'll always be able to get an appointment.

 

Oh, you have to book the second appointment at the same time. Well, that makes sense. We'll just go back to Bost--

 

--oh. Right.

 

Second appointment only available for us in Leicester, 60 miles away. What a joke.

I've heard local reports of similar situations, but generally people seemed to find a way to reschedule something closer. Worth following up, but it's a shame the situation couldn't be avoided.

[Primus]

Yes - but I don;t think they have enough volume of members t o force a radical change to how they are treated

 

it really needs TAs terms and condition to be looked at centrally and for there to be a central voice representing them - in the same way that the Teacher unions act together

 

and, of course, other support groups need to be included as well

 

 

Back on Topic

 

Local paper seems to be saying the local care home residents should all have 'the jab' by the end of the week

and the next 2 groups - over 70s plus the shielding group - should be sorted by the end of the week as well - although I'm not sure what they mean by that

so - hopefully Mrs mikeprice should be done in the next few days!

 

If staff want a change then they need to do something about it then - join a union that has teeth and will fight for them.

 

The NEU is the biggest education union in the country so volume of members shouldn't be an issue but they can only act if support staff join and push for change.

[mikeprice]

Just had a phone call from the Doctor

 

[enter Tardis or time travel jokes here]

 

 

Mrs mikeprice has her vaccine appointment next week

which is a relief!!!

 

so soon she should be reasonably safe

 

which just leaves me and the rest of the country!!!

[6Foot2]

Link:

[Arnold Video Tweet]

 

Today was a good day. I have never been happier to wait in a line. If you’re eligible, join me and sign up to get your vaccine. Come with me if you want to live!

 

Click the link above for the video.

 

[elsiegee40]

Link:

[Arnold Video Tweet]

 

 

 

Click the link above for the video.

 

Best reply!

[jmak]

Best reply!

[ATTACH]60516[/ATTACH]

He'll be back

 

(For his second dose [emoji57])

 

Wish I'd thought of that line myself, but about 3 million people on Twitter got there before me...

[PlantHead]

https://twitter.com/mcash/status/1351865647345643522

Teaching assistants and support staff are so much more likely to be infected than the general population: 7x for special schools.

 

'Just because you voted for us doesn't mean you deserve to die, but that may happen anyway'

Edited January 21, 2021 by PlantHead

[6Foot2]

Priti Patel will present the Downing Street press conference at 5pm today.

[Ditto]

Priti Patel will present the Downing Street press conference at 5pm today.

They made her read out 4,973,248! The concentration was intense and she did it very well.

[witch]

She's a completely awful person

Did you notice the little nugget of news about how SHE wanted more of a lockdown or something but was PERSUADED to change her mind. So that when this is all over she can wriggle out of any and all responsibility for her part in this carp show.

Who would DARE try and persuade her of anything?

[elsiegee40]

This isn’t a discussion about politicians.

[6Foot2]

Link: The R number and growth rate in the UK [GOV.UK]

 

[elsiegee40]

Wedding at school posts moved to own thread

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/behind-red-door/219940-400-attend-wedding-held-school-hall-stamford-hill.html