"I work in a school surrounded by kids but cannot see my family" - anyone sick of hearing this?

[coffeeforone]

It's totally unfair - everyone gets it! It's shit for most people. But this line/situation obviously affects all who work in education settings (a lots of people I know) and is really starting to irritate as it's being spouted much more often than most other complaints.

True I know, and it doesn't make sense to lots of people...but what's the solution? Close schools so everyone can see family instead?

[flumposie]

I'm loving being back in school. But we've already had 2 positive cases in a week. I'm mixing with anyone and everyone on corridors that are not socially distanced and few pupils are wearing masks. I've just taken my daughter to the hairdressers. I wasnt allowed in until time to eat, each area zoned off with plastic shields , a barrier against the entrance, staff in visors and masks. Good for them. But I'm not working like this. Cant visit my family as they have a local lockdown. Do yes, I will comment on the inconsistencies I experience at work compared to outside of school!

[flumposie]

Time to pay not eat !

[Playdoughbum]

PLUS!
The children coming into school are going home to families who “don’t do social distancing”- actual quote. Like many I’ve seen on here. So their children are going to sleepovers, parties, parents are in pubs, having house parties...
This definitely doesn’t affect my risk right?!

[Snackasaurus]

@Lilybet1980

For some people their family is their lifeline and now they're being told they can't see them again but you can go and eat out /go to a pub. There is no logic.

Yes, there is logic.

1. You interact differently with family/friends inside a private home than you do with random strangers in a pub/restaurant. Why is that so hard to understand?

1. The Government are trying balance risk with economics. They are trying to keep as much of the economy going as possible. Again, why is that so hard to understand? You might not agree with it but surely the logic is obvious?

The reason people are finding it 'so hard to understand' is because like the PP mentioned, for some people, their family is their lifeline!

When I got out with family/friends, we sit at a table, eat/drink and go home. When I go to a friend or family members house, we distance ourselves and eat/drink and go home. What's the difference?!

[PablosHoney]

I’m not surprised @monkeytennis97it’s untenable 😨

[Dogsaresomucheasier]

Covid compliance in schools is an absolute joke! I am not going to restrict my children from socialising with anyone as long as they are required to be in the same class bubble.

[BeepBoopBop]

@Goatinthegarden

Hmmm, well, I’m a teacher. I’m happy to be a teacher, I love my job and I’m happy to be back teaching in the classroom.i care about the education of my pupils.

But I can’t visit my dad. He’s terminally ill, so you know borrowed time and all that. Might not outlive this pandemic. Sometimes I jolly along fine, stiff upper lip and ‘I’m playing my part for the greater good’. Other times, it’s a much harder cross to bear.

Sometimes, it’s just a little cathartic to have a little moan and then I get on with it.

That is really sad - it must be really, really hard for you. Moan away lovely, and sending a big hug.

[Playdoughbum]

@Dogsaresomucheasier your suggested alternatives to bubbles please? We are making the best of a bad situation. You then saying you won’t restrict your children because of that puts me at risk.
The insistence on full time school no ifs or buts means bubbles are the only option. Other than me and my class no breaks no lunch 8.30-3.15 Mon- fri.
Please advise.

[Dogsaresomucheasier]

Play dough bum, I teach too. I’m back full time dashing between groups of teenagers in an ancient, poorly ventilated building and well aware of the risk. They are squashed 30 to a room, less than a metre apart for up to three hours at a time. If two football-teams worth of them fancy a weekend meet up for a kick-about in the park Boris and co can fuck right off. The risk of virus transmission is considerably lower, (before you ask, yes I do teach biology.)

Full school attendance is an important, calculated risk, as is allowing some economic activity with certain precautions. But government ABU to ask people to be more socially distanced privately than is being required of them professionally.

[lazylinguist]

I don't think there is anything wrong with complaining about or questioning aspexts of the rules which seem illogical or counter-productive.

I'm a teacher and yes, it seems pretty illogical that I can go into not just multiple 'bubbles', but multiple schools each week, in classrooms where it's impossible to be 2m from the kids and the little ones try to hug me .

But my family can't see my dsis and her dh and dc because together we'd be 8 people (but only from 2 households). But we could see just my dsis, who would then presumably go home and pass on any germs to her family. The change of emphasis from 2 households to 6 people from up to 6 households seems bonkers to me.

None of that means I won't stick to the rules - I'm a very law-abiding person. But I am perfectly at liberty to say how stupid I think it is. And anyone else is at liberty to disagree with me.

[ReeseWitherfork]

But government ABU to ask people to be more socially distanced privately than is being required of them professionally.
You’re not wrong, but this may be one of those cases where we have to accept life isn’t fair. They’ve got to prioritise education over socialising IMO, and I think they’re opening themselves up to utter chaos if they allow socialising freely just because schools have to open. I think the current rules on socialising are acceptable (outside of local lockdowns), I’m not sure what else they can do differently.

[Lolaloveslemons]

Yes, there is logic.

1. You interact differently with family/friends inside a private home than you do with random strangers in a pub/restaurant. Why is that so hard to understand?

Yes, pub/restaurant maybe but school children do not social distance, they move around the school in crowds, they CONSTANTLY touch each other and boys in particular love to wrestle.
Why is that so hard to understand?

[MrsZola]

DP is (was?) in the shielding group and I worked from home during lockdown. Now shielding is paused I'm back in school - reception, no social distancing at all. I decided that the only thing to do was clothes straight in the machine, and shower when I got home. I've been out for food shopping all the way through and so far so good. Lots of hand washing etc. Don't get me wrong, I'm very worried that I'll pass something on to him, but what choice do I have? I'm the sole earner.

[Playdoughbum]

@Dogsaresomucheasier ah I see. Sorry for jumping down your throat. Bit stressed for some reason
If I wanted 2 metres at the front I’d need to compress the children somehow. Then they come over and talk in my face. Because they are children. It is all a bit mad really.
Wash your hands, sing happy birthday, it’ll be fine I’m sure

[Barrowmanfan22]

@Lilybet1980

For some people their family is their lifeline and now they're being told they can't see them again but you can go and eat out /go to a pub. There is no logic.

Yes, there is logic.

1. You interact differently with family/friends inside a private home than you do with random strangers in a pub/restaurant. Why is that so hard to understand?

1. The Government are trying balance risk with economics. They are trying to keep as much of the economy going as possible. Again, why is that so hard to understand? You might not agree with it but surely the logic is obvious?

But do you though ? What is the difference ?

[Lilybet1980]

@Lolaloveslemons

Yes, there is logic.

1. You interact differently with family/friends inside a private home than you do with random strangers in a pub/restaurant. Why is that so hard to understand?

Yes, pub/restaurant maybe but school children do not social distance, they move around the school in crowds, they CONSTANTLY touch each other and boys in particular love to wrestle.
Why is that so hard to understand?

I didn’t talk about school kids. I was responding to the comments on pubs and restaurants.

[Lilybet1980]

@Barrowmanfan22, sorry I don’t understand what you are questioning.

When I see friends or family I sit and have a chat with them. We might pass each other a cup of tea, or a biscuit. I don’t stop to talk to random strangers in a pub or restaurant. The level of interaction is completely different.

And yes I understand that the reason for wanting to keep pubs and restaurants open is economics.

I’m not sure what you’re questioning?

[FancyAnOlive]

I thought in most workplaces now people were supposed to be wearing masks - in shops and offices etc? In schools people aren't. And yes we are stuck in rooms with 30 kids breathing at us. I'm clinically vulnerable and I am finding it really stressful. I'm sure lots of people are, particularly if the work they do exposes them in a similar way. Two kids coughed in my face last week and we've got loads off with temperatures etc. We probably only don't have any confirmed cases because they can't get tested!

[Barrowmanfan22]

[quote Lilybet1980]@Barrowmanfan22, sorry I don’t understand what you are questioning.

When I see friends or family I sit and have a chat with them. We might pass each other a cup of tea, or a biscuit. I don’t stop to talk to random strangers in a pub or restaurant. The level of interaction is completely different.

And yes I understand that the reason for wanting to keep pubs and restaurants open is economics.

I’m not sure what you’re questioning?[/quote]
I was questioning your comment about difference in interaction being so significant.

If people are careful they can make their interaction the same as that in a restaurant. I'm in local lockdown but work in a school but thats another thread. My kitchen is quite large. Why can't someone come and sit in the doorway and il sit at the other side and we both wear masks? How is that different or any worse than us both going to the pub where we will be much closer to each other and other people ?

[morethanmeetstheeye]

[quote coffeeforone]@morethanmeetstheeye I'm sorry about your situation and of course you should be upset about it- it's clearly wrong that no provisions have been made for this.

Just to be clear the people I am talking about in real life are not vulnerable or high risk in any way (never mind shielding category) nor is anyone in their household. They just don't like the rule of 6 and they want to see family freely (as we all do) without breaking the law. I do understand it's shit for them, same as for everyone.[/quote]
Thank you for clarifying. I'm usually very reserved and not that directly sweary but it hit a nerve. The whole situation is horrible and I feel very very vulnerable and also incredibly upset. I may not see my parents alive in the flesh again as I really can't get up to them (non driver). It's awful.

[Downton57]

@coffeeforone If you train as a teacher you'll have no time to read Whats App messages. Problem solved.

[Aragog]

30 people can attend funerals

----


They can now, although some lockdown areas have it restricted to 20 I think.

But they couldn't before.

My FIL's was 10 in April as was my nana's in May. My other nana's was 25 in the summer.

I went to the first and third. Couldn't go to the second and Dh and teen Dd couldn't go to the third either.

Have you been to one of these restricted funerals when you're part of a large family. My mums one of 6, my dad one of 8. Mourning and grieving the loss of close family in these times is horrendous. Yes it's improving regards numbers but it has been dreadful. 10 was horrific.

[SleepingStandingUp]

Life is harder for some people then others. Some people are coping being away from their family now then others. Some people verbalise there feelings now than others. I'm more fed up of people wanting to police what feelings other people can talk about

[Lilybet1980]

@Barrowmanfan22 I think we’re talking about two different things. I’m commenting on people questioning why they can’t have friends and family round to their house, yet can be in a pub with random strangers. You’re talking about going out with friends/ family vs inviting them to your house I think?

I’m not doubting there are plenty of people who invite guests over and manage to socially distance but unfortunately I think you are few and far between. Indications are that it’s mixing between households in private settings that has caused the rise in cases in a number of areas (as well as an idiot in Bolton, for example). And that will only get worse as the weather turns and sitting outside becomes less of an option.

[Barrowmanfan22]

[quote Lilybet1980]@Barrowmanfan22 I think we’re talking about two different things. I’m commenting on people questioning why they can’t have friends and family round to their house, yet can be in a pub with random strangers. You’re talking about going out with friends/ family vs inviting them to your house I think?

I’m not doubting there are plenty of people who invite guests over and manage to socially distance but unfortunately I think you are few and far between. Indications are that it’s mixing between households in private settings that has caused the rise in cases in a number of areas (as well as an idiot in Bolton, for example). And that will only get worse as the weather turns and sitting outside becomes less of an option.[/quote]
I can see your point.

Back to the original frustration about being able to work and go to the pub but not see my vulnerable family I think.