To wonder how schools can realistically reopen when there is still a killer virus about with no vaccine?

[JustCantShakeIt]

I’m not talking about them reopening now, in May or June or even September.

Who is prepared to send their DC into a school with hundreds of other DC, where social distancing and keeping a germ free environment is literally impossible, even with the best wills in the world, when there is a life threatening disease floating about which is highly transmittable and you have no guarantee it won’t make your DC severely ill or die.

Social distancing just between parents will be impossible at my DC’s school of over 500 where we all have to wait outside the main gates at pick up time.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m desperate for schools to reopen before my DC turn completely feral, but I don’t see how that can happen until we have a vaccine. We’re being told to stay home and keep our distance now due to the risk, the risk will be the same next month or in 5 months won’t it?

Do you know Hoffi, I think I could actually make that work for me - I could do Fortnite dances inside my booth to make them laugh. But not so good if you were in primary I would agree.

I think you’d find lots of teaching volunteers in the extensive ranks of the newly unemployed.

I’d do it.

I'd volunteer for teaching just as I did for the NHS (who refused me due to medical conditions and the fact that there were so many other volunteers that they could refuse me).

I don't want teachers who no longer want to teach to be forced to do so.
I do think it's only fair that you take a pay cut if those of us who are willing to take the risk crack on with it instead.

Don't know if anyone else has mentioned but early in the thread it was stated that children are sent to school in winter when there are new strains of flu.

However important to note that they are vaccinated against flu.

So kind of a dumb argument.

I think the OP makes a very valid point.

I have no doubt that there would be takers for this, too.

Have you seen the state of MN after trying to home educate their own children? I’m not sure you’re going to get as many volunteers as you think.

Fuck off, Tasty.

Nice. I bet you clap for the bravery of the NHS workers, eh?

While heaven forbid people who are young and well (and will face much lower risk) should go back to school and work and save the country from poverty and longer term ills. Do people not realise how hypocritical this all is?

Oh ffs. It is the risk to vulnerable people in the community that full schools present. A thousand kids, all swapping viral loads then going home and spreading it to vulnerable family members.

@SmileEachDay exactly never mind all the packed trains and buses that school kids cause at rush hour. Spreading it to workplaces of key workers.

Laurie you aren't unemployed are you?

This is not about teachers not wanting to teach. It's about mitigating risk - just like we do when we take your children out on trips, we still do it, but we take sensible precautions before doing so.
What is wrong with teachers wanting a sensible approach to opening the schools, rather than any cloud cuckoo "let's get the kids back in and pretend it won't lead to more deaths as they will all wash their hands and stay apart, oh and they're young anyway so it's safe" type thing?

Laurie you aren't unemployed are you?

I’m very likely to be soon

While heaven forbid people who are young and well (and will face much lower risk) should go back to school and work and save the country from poverty and longer term ills. Do people not realise how hypocritical this all is?

Exactly.

I'm actually ashamed by he attitudes of many. It's making me all nationalistic, but more in a 'What has this nation become?' kind of way.

Tasty I'm being every bit as nice toward you as you've been toward me and my profession. Read your own posts tomorrow and maybe reflect on why I got fed up with it.

I think you’d find lots of teaching volunteers in the extensive ranks of the newly unemployed

How does this help make schools less likely to spread CV throughout communities?

SmileEachDay and OnceATeacher

If schools were brought back for June 1st, but you could take a government furlough for 80% of your pay until July 31st, with no guarantee that your jobs would still be there for September (because they might go to the people that stepped in to cover from June 1st) - would you take the furlough?

Would all the teachers on here like to join me in the best laugh of the day - a volunteer teacher army

Disregarding

DBS
Curriculum planning (still have to be done by qualified teachers)
Behaviour management - try asserting authority with your friend's children

I'm still laughing...

Btw the volunteers required for healthcare were as healthcare assistants which I would equate with teaching assistants - invaluable in their respective roles.

Laurie I’m very likely to be soon

Well you have time to do your bit for the country then, volunteer to work in a school.

I don't think any of us are saying that we'd be better than trained teachers.

We're just saying that we'd be willing to try for the good of the country.

If schools were brought back for June 1st, but you could take a government furlough for 80% of your pay until July 31st, with no guarantee that your jobs would still be there for September (because they might go to the people that stepped in to cover from June 1st) - would you take the furlough?

That’s not how furlough works. It’s not someone getting 80% and someone being paid to do the job...

If schools go back on June the 1st, I’ll go back to school. I’d like the decision making before that happens to include some people who actually work in schools.

I've worked for my employer for 20 years, you're asking me if I would put my permanent job at risk for the sake of four weeks off work? I really don't understand. Which is the "right" answer? Dh also a teacher - he'd need to do the same as me wouldn't he?
I don't want my - or your, or anyone else's - dc going back into schools that are not run along as safe procedures as we can manage. Me being out of work won't change that.

Can I volunteer as a doctor? I've no relevant degree or professional training, but I'd give it a shot.

Do it for the country Once

Honestly some of these posts are ridiculous, reactionary nonsense.

Quite clearly, LOTS of teachers would be back in work next week should the government seem it necessary.
Many of us, myself included, are in work on a rota basis right now. With no PPE and no mention of it becoming a possibility.

We are entitled to raise concerns that we have surrounding the clear risks of being in a work place with massively concentrated numbers. This does not mean we don't give a shit, or aren't prepared to do our bit.
It's voicing a legitimate concern.

Can I volunteer as a doctor? I've no relevant degree or professional training, but I'd give it a shot.

I might volunteer as a barrister, I’ve always fancied wearing that wig 😂

You raise a very good point op. Once things get back to normal this thing is going to mushroom again.

@Onceateacher

I quite fancy being a pilot providing supplies to out of reach places.

@TastyFingers

There are lots of qualified out there already - the problem is whether it is safe or not. DfE schools have to stick to rules