To be concerned about this?

[unnervingrabble]

I'm an a level (relevant as my subject isn't a gcse subject, I'm only with the older students) teacher in secondary and obviously some of us are concerned about going back in three weeks.

Leaving aside the whole issue of child to adult transmission, I'm worried about transmission from colleagues. I've seen lots of photos on social media of colleagues visiting multiple other people's houses, weekend visits to stay with friends and now a picture of a colleague and their family at the airport flying to a country which is not on the list of ones for exemption from self isolation on return.

You must do what you need to feel safe eg: Anti bac regularly, wear a see through shield if you think it's appropriate, use your own board pens, use your own computer, take your own mug in.

There is, of course, a risk, you can only do and affect, the things you have control of.

Only you can decide if the risk is too high for you in your particular circumstances and then what options do you have?
Continue to teach your A-level students through Teams? Your SLT may allow this if you have underlying health issues.

YANBU to feel concerned. Lots of (most?) people are back at work now though, in all sorts of jobs. I would have thought that it would be fairly easy so socially distanced from colleagues, as a teacher? You'll be in different classrooms most of the day.

You need to take the same precautions as the rest of the working population and much easier for you with older students and as a teacher, who can socially distance from both kids and other staff.

It doesn’t sound as if any of your colleagues have done anything that isn’t allowed within current guidance.

I assume like any other workplace your college will have put in risk assessments and measures to keep everyone as safe as possible. You just need to follow those and be careful with hygiene etc

Your situation is one faced by every other industry. There are many incidences everywhere where people are exposing themselves to the virus by their actions. All you can do is look after ‘you’. Masks when needed, lots of hand washing. None of us can control the action of others so just have to take responsibility for ourselves. Because the alternative is permanent lockdown, and I’m sure you can appreciate that can’t happen.

Anyone who doesn't want to go back to work has the option of resigning. I don't see why teachers should be any different.

I am going back to work, of course. I can be concerned whilst still going back. We aren't allowed to wear a mask so that option isn't one that I have, the students aren't allowed to either.

can you talk to your line manager ie the head about your concerns?