Anti dementors flock together

[Waleshasgonecompletelycrazy]

Gather here anti dementors

Interesting article in the spectator explaining why people have certain opinions and don't /won't change them - in relation to covid www.spectator.co.uk/article/science-doubt-and-the-second-wave-of-covid

I'm on leave this week after working like mad since all this started. Really didn't want to use annual leave I'm going to need come August to make 'blended learning' work but was approaching burnout. At least this way I can spend some time with my increasingly fed-up children.

Trying to stay optimistic... I think it's a good sign that Scottish Government's guidance for 'blended learning' tells schools not to get into any long-term contracts about new buildings or staff or any arrangements they can't get out of quickly. Suggests they really aren't planning this to drag on indefinitely, hopefully?

I think a big part of France saying they wouldn't do a second lockdown is the economy. I've been listening to a lot of economics podcasts (yeah I'm cool like that) and they all agree that we could recover from this lockdown but a second one this year would be a complete disaster. Mass unemployment, people losing their homes etc. It would undoubtedly be worse than letting the virus spread.

@Mascotte

It's also the case that children are going to be fat and unfit because of the lockdown which is much more dangerous for them.

Definitely, most people are. Pre lockdown I walked 4 miles every weekday, was at the gym at least 4 days a week and had a part time job which meant I was on my feet for at least 5 hours 3 days a week. If I worked daylight hours I would walk the half mile there and back. I watched what I ate and because I was busy I wasn't tempted.

Now I've been stuck with 2 small kids for nearly 12 weeks although at least the school walk is back again. I'm fed up of this half life so I'm eating and drinking a lot more than I should. I've lost all motivation for exercise so other than the walk to school and some walks with the 2 year old during the week I'm doing nothing.

I can't see an end to all of this and every now and again the panic rises that this is going to be life from now on. Isolated from my friends, family, my job, school and my hobby.

My head is a mess, I don't know what I think anymore. The pubs opening is good news for my job but then I panic incase the numbers go up and they don't open the schools. If the numbers fall I still panic that they will keep us like this until we have a vaccine because "it's not safe" 3 months ago none of this went through my head, I was in a much better place and I'm sure if we had just kept things as they were I wouldn't be in this position. The longer this goes on for the worse I will get.

I'm not listening anymore, they can take my job away, they can shut the schools but they can't stop me from seeing my friends and family properly.

I think it's a good sign that Scottish Government's guidance for 'blended learning' tells schools not to get into any long-term contracts about new buildings or staff or any arrangements they can't get out of quickly. Suggests they really aren't planning this to drag on indefinitely, hopefully?

I'm not sure, does it? It might mean that if there's loads of blended learning they'll need fewer buildings.

Sorry. Gloomy today. I don't want to pee on anyone's parade. Perhaps I'd do better not to post today.

I have generally been quite positive about this, but today I actually feel pretty shit. I am now sat here crying because of the above.

I have just never felt so voiceless in my life.

The idea of being stuck here alone all day indefinitely when there are next to no cases in this area is depressing as fuck.

The idea that while I am almost privileged that my son is at school, I feel angry that there is no actual education, its basically a holiday club.

And I can sign all the petitions I want and write to all the MPs that I want and none of it will make a difference. I just feel so cross that we are being held hostage by disproportionate fear at home, our children are missing out on EVERYTHING to protect a load of people who are out and about every day and who will soon no doubt be jollying it up in the shops and pubs cos they are so at risk.

I just want to scream!

@Mascotte

It's also the case that children are going to be fat and unfit because of the lockdown which is much more dangerous for them.

Pretty much everything we’ve been told by authorities about our children has gone out the window. The awfulness of a sedentary lifestyle on them, how they should have limited screen time, how even a single day off school is terrible and don’t even think about a term time holiday. Now suddenly it’s fine for them to sit at home glued to screens never going to school.

There was a thread earlier which I think has been pulled now where the op was saying I don’t give a fuck about the vulnerable I want my children back at school. Personally I’m really uncomfortable with making this any kind of vulnerable/shielding versus parents war or straying too far into the territory of abilism, and I didn’t entirely agree with the op. However it was interesting to see that they didn’t get totally crucified in the replies, they would have done even a week ago. The tide is turning.

@mightbealittlebitmad yes! I'm exactly the same, was going to PT, yoga, jogging, walks, and eating healthily. I've now lost motivation and can't even be arsed with the dog walk to the same place with everyone else there too. I've found myself eating things I'd never normally eat (sausage rolls, I mean you) and just in a torpor. Drinking far too much wine too. And all the things that are open are food based too. I keep meaning to get myself together but it's a struggle.

I think a big part of France saying they wouldn't do a second lockdown is the economy.

Yes, I think that's it. And it's a powerful reason for governments NOT to impose a second lockdown. They know that financially it's just untenable. So that's a bit heartening, for those of us struggling.

Either way, I'm gradually taking myself out of lockdown. DD's having a small party (with a sleepover - five girls) this week sometime (weather dependent) and I'm going on holiday in July (Whatever the roolz) and I'll be one of the first at the pub in two weeks time. Even if they haven't been able to get any beer.

The tide is turning.

I think that the government is trying to create uproar to break the deadlock with the bloody unions.

Because with blended learning they would only have half the class in? It's not gloomy just realistic.

I want some more info on what is going on with secondary schools. How they can help them. Pupils go from class to class for different subjects, so instead of this could they stay put for some subjects and the teachers move around instead?

Then have different arrangements for more practical subjects such as art, DT, cooking for example. There seems to be nothing on this at all. And with 1m distance and single desks could get more in a class

So far, for year ten they are just going in for groups of 12 for 2 hrs, for 4 weeks in total (so one morning a week). We seem to be expected to do a DT project at home; I am paying for music tuition which is usually at school for the music GCSE, needed for the course.

I am unsure why the conversation seems mainly about primary, in Germany exam students were prioritised for help.

@BarkandCheese yes, I find it quite bizarre how all public health and education messages have been scrapped. My boy needs to done exercise and mess about with his peers. Not be stuck home alone with me. What 12 year old wants to do sports with his ancient mother?

(in the press I mean seems to be little mention of secondary schools)

I m very confused at why vulnerable people aren't just shielding and allow everything else to go back. Yes it's shit for them, but why make it shit for everyone? Nd surely if everyone else was back to normal they'd have much more support in terms of shopping availability etc.

Obviously it's a complicated issue. We've been told that we need to dual teach next term (in HE) which means my 2 hour workshop with 30 students will now be 5x 10 minute pre recorded videos, 1 hour interactive online session for those shielding, 2 X 1hr face to face sessions for those who are on campus but social distancing. It's a huge increase in workload as I run 5 courses like this! But I do see that it's inevitable if we have some students at home still.

Slightly dementory letter from high school today re transition arrangements. They’re getting a 2 hour transition visit. Whoop de fucking do. Also we’re told we aren’t meant to drop our kids off in the car park. Does CV transmit via cars now?

I’m so over all this bullshit.

I’m so over all this bullshit.

Hear hear!

We aren't allowed to drive to our school, that's fine we can cycle...except they've said please don't cycle because it will cause a Corona explosion in the bike shed. Hover craft perhaps?

Schools need same level of intervention as economy and NHS, says Children's Commissioner
Anne Longfield says Government must support schools on "the practicality" of getting children back into classrooms.

The Children's Commissioner says schools need "twice as many classrooms and twice as many teachers" to meet social distancing guidelines - but that they will need support.

Pointing to the building of the NHS Nightingale Hospitals, she says the "scale and determination and will" must be transferred to education.

"Schools are not going to be able to build new class rooms in three months... but the kind of intervention we have seen around health, and around the economy and jobs - if that level of intervention was transferred to schools we would see a national programme and a national effort that could help schools do this," she said.

Ms Longfield noted the "ridiculous" situation that children would be able to go to theme parks or sit in pub gardens before going to school.

Reporting from live feed on gov today and response over the schools decision, from the Telegraph

I’m totally fed up with the lack of anything on secondary schools. They’re still children even if they are more capable of sitting at home working than the primary aged. They need their peers, they need proper lessons. I feel like a broken record but it’s all just so depressing.

@allflightscancelled I think the uncertainty about schools is one of the reasons I feel so down at the moment.

DS' school did a consultation about what working pattern the parents wanted. They've now come back with an option that wasnt in the consultation, which is an insane 3 set arrangements where the kids are all in on different days. I've complained to the council and theyre blaming the Government.

Itd help a great deal if I knew DS was at least going to get 2 days a week on set days but the advice on not taking on long term arrangements means this sounds unlikely.

I'm really hoping the kids go back full time in August.

I've spent part of this morning trying to find another bloody login for one of the endless educational websites we need to access.

Ive also had a look at the Education Scotland website for resources but rather than having worksheets all the suggestions involve buying things and doing things with family members. I dont know why but both ES and the school seem very big on shops at the moment.

Mine will be cycling. Since when is that going to be a risk? Total madness.

@SudokuBook

Slightly dementory letter from high school today re transition arrangements. They’re getting a 2 hour transition visit. Whoop de fucking do. Also we’re told we aren’t meant to drop our kids off in the car park. Does CV transmit via cars now?

I’m so over all this bullshit.

This is what I dont get. We all have to stay at home and keep our children off school, they can go out to garden centres and golfing. Next week they'll be able to go shopping, soon they will be able to go to the pub and fuck me theme parks are opening soon. But our kids cant go to school lest the people out and about get sick.

"Doing things with family members" is my boy doing things with me! It's not normal.

The unions should be ashamed. And it's the teacher on my sm who's very anti them going back

I’m so fed up in the focus in everything from schools being what they can’t do or can’t offer. How about some even vague attempt at positivity for once?