Shielding to ease next week/end Aug 1

[PatriciaHolm]

This afternoons briefing from Matt Hancock - "From Monday 6 July people who are shielding will be able to spend time outdoors in a group of up to six people including those outside of their household, while maintaining physical distancing. Those who are shielding and live alone or are single parents with children will also be able to create a ‘support bubble’ with one other household of any size. "

Then as of Aug 1, scheme largely coming to an end; people can go back to work if Covid-safe, and help will be limited to local authority/voluntary support.

Pretty much as announced in NI earlier, I think. Not entirely surprising.

[Crunchymum]

It is going to be "paused" from 1st August. Hancock was very, very careful to point that out!

[Fedup21]

It was to be expected.

The government want everyone back to work and schools back, fully staffed, in time for September!

[PatriciaHolm]

@Crunchymum

It is going to be "paused" from 1st August. Hancock was very, very careful to point that out!

Ah yes! My apologies. He was indeed!

[YouReallyAre]

I'm a bit confused about the 'bubble' situation. As a single parent I can already join a bubble as I'm not shielding, therefore my contacts have already increased. If my nan wants to create a bubble with me as she's been shielding, can she do this as I'm already in one? If I'd have known this was coming up I wouldn't have made my own bubble first!

[RightIsRight]

@Fedup21

It was to be expected.

The government want everyone back to work and schools back, fully staffed, in time for September!

and that's wrong because...

[Hearhoovesthinkzebras]

I'm really pleased about this, as a person shielding.

I wonder how it affects teachers though? They've clearly said that you can go back to work if your workplace is Covid safe - which schools definitely aren't

[PatriciaHolm]

@YouReallyAre

I'm a bit confused about the 'bubble' situation. As a single parent I can already join a bubble as I'm not shielding, therefore my contacts have already increased. If my nan wants to create a bubble with me as she's been shielding, can she do this as I'm already in one? If I'd have known this was coming up I wouldn't have made my own bubble first!

The way I read it, she can't bubble with you if you have already bubbled.

One way round it might be to stop seeing your other bubble now, and start seeing her in 2 weeks assuming everyone is well? It doesn't kick in for 2 weeks anyway.

[PatriciaHolm]

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

I'm really pleased about this, as a person shielding.

I wonder how it affects teachers though? They've clearly said that you can go back to work if your workplace is Covid safe - which schools definitely aren't

Well - I suspect for employment regulation purposes, they are, if they follow Govt guidelines. There are 1,000s of teachers already back at work.

[IrisJoy]

@hearhoovesthinkzebras as a teacher who is shielding I would really like to know this too!
I suspect my consultant would advise not to go back if possible. As much as I want to come out of shielding this leaves me with a massive dilemma. Was easier when it was a bit more clear cut from a worn point of view!

[Hearhoovesthinkzebras]

Well - I suspect for employment regulation purposes, they are, if they follow Govt guidelines. There are 1,000s of teachers already back at work.

Covid safe workplaces have to have social distancing in place though - which schools don't.

[Racoonworld]

@YouReallyAre no you won't be able to have two bubbles. Some people will go against the rules and have more than one, but seeing as your nan is shielding that probably isn't a good idea for you to do this and risk her health.

[IrisJoy]

@PatriciaHolm legally they might be declared safe so that we can be told to go back to work. But no, they are not actually safe, unless it is declared that children can't transmit covid 19 at all. And I don't think that 1,000s of teacher back at work are the shielding ones...

[ToothFairyNemesis]

@RightIsRight and that's wrong because...
Teachers can’t social distance and if they catch Covid19 they will still be as likely to be seriously ill/die as they were when they were shielding.

[ohthegoats]

They've clearly said that you can go back to work if your workplace is Covid safe - which schools definitely aren't

Yes, I wonder that too. Two of our staff who are shielding were in work for ages until they were told they shouldn't be - they'll be really happy to come back. Nothing has changed for them though - if anything it's more risky now, so not sure how that works.

[Fedup21]

and that's wrong because...

I didn’t say it was.

I think this has to happen before schools can open fully again otherwise there won’t be enough staff.

[PatriciaHolm]

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

Well - I suspect for employment regulation purposes, they are, if they follow Govt guidelines. There are 1,000s of teachers already back at work.

Covid safe workplaces have to have social distancing in place though - which schools don't.

I suspect there will be, if there isn't already, an exemption for schools; there is already no expectation that primary school aged children social distance, for example. Guidance for schools is that PPE isn't necessary.

The definition of "covid safe" is different for schools.

[RightIsRight]

[quote ToothFairyNemesis]**@RightIsRight* and that's wrong because...*
Teachers can’t social distance and if they catch Covid19 they will still be as likely to be seriously ill/die as they were when they were shielding.[/quote]
There are many places where you can't socially distance. The infection rate is 1 in 1700. We have to get people back to work.

[Fedup21]

They've clearly said that you can go back to work if your workplace is Covid safe - which schools definitely aren't

Well, they are considered safe enough to send all those teachers back already this month. I suspect a loophole will be written to mean they are Covid safe.

[Racoonworld]

How long should shielding teachers stay off work for though? The virus isn't going away and it is the safest now it's probably going to get. It's an awful situation but realistically people can't be paid to stay at home forever. People are going to be making some very tough choices soon.

[Hearhoovesthinkzebras]

I suspect there will be, if there isn't already, an exemption for schools; there is already no expectation that primary school aged children social distance, for example. Guidance for schools is that PPE isn't necessary.

The definition of "covid safe" is different for schools.

The rules around social distancing in schools is based on risks to children.

This is about risk to shielded staff and students. You can't change risks based on different workplaces. Schools aren't Covid safe, it's just that the risks of students catching it is lower

[ToothFairyNemesis]

@RightIsRight There are many places where you can't socially distance. The infection rate is 1 in 1700. We have to get people back to work.
Not those who are shielding currently if they can’t socially distance! I think you are just on the wind up!

[Hearhoovesthinkzebras]

@Racoonworld

How long should shielding teachers stay off work for though? The virus isn't going away and it is the safest now it's probably going to get. It's an awful situation but realistically people can't be paid to stay at home forever. People are going to be making some very tough choices soon.

So their lives don't matter then?

Teachers should be allowed to shield for as long as is necessary or steps need to be taken to keep them as safe as everyone else - social distancing etc

[Haenow]

Dr Jenny Harries said they’re now looking at a combination of risk factors. It may well be that not all the shielding people are actually as high risk as initially thought.
I know 2 million sounds like lots but when you break it down, I doubt there’s a statistically huge number of shielding teachers. Obviously if a teacher is at risk, the employer should be completing a risk assessment and going from there.

[RightIsRight]

[quote ToothFairyNemesis]**@RightIsRight* There are many places where you can't socially distance. The infection rate is 1 in 1700. We have to get people back to work.*
Not those who are shielding currently if they can’t socially distance! I think you are just on the wind up![/quote]
Then they don't go back then. Are you seriously suggesting to keep the schools shut after September? Because then you are on the wind up

[Theforest]

Our school had a teacher test positive this week following positive from a child in their bubble. No way is it safe enough for those shielding.