School and (imho) unjustifiable risk.

[MincepieMavis]

DD's primary school have invited a dancer to come in for a day to do workshops, including every child in the school. The children will see this person in their bubble groups. The dancer will be distanced and wearing a visor. The activity will take place outside if the weather is ok, or in their small school hall with the windows open if the weather is bad. Covid cases are on the increase, counties around us are moving up a tier right now. And someone in our household has a covid-relevant underlying condition.

Would you let your child take part?
Would you consent only if it took place outside? Or with other conditions?

It's a no from us unless it's outside, minimum. AIBU?

@MincepieMavis

This is not about the teachers crossing bubbles.

What is it about then?

I would 100% let my child take part - but l don't have irrational fear of covid like a lot of people l know do so am quite chilled about it. Yes l know it is deadly etc but the risk element sounds very minimal in this situation and wouldn't want to deny my child something they might enjoy.

If every other child in the school does it how does yours not reducing the risk.

The fact is whether you like it or not or indeed whether in these times it is a good idea it is happening does your child not doing it actually decrease your risk that much if every other child in the school is doing it.

The answer I think is no - if the dancer comes COVID positive your child doesnt do it I am not sure the risk is reduced

Of course they will, also what about teachers that have children at different schools in different year groups? There’s so much crossover, the school can’t do anymore than what it is in regards risk assessments, it’s your choice if the benefit outweighs the risk.

Also has the dancer been going to other schools before your child’s? It’s hard at the minute to make these decisions

@Quartz2208

If every other child in the school does it how does yours not reducing the risk.

The fact is whether you like it or not or indeed whether in these times it is a good idea it is happening does your child not doing it actually decrease your risk that much if every other child in the school is doing it.

The answer I think is no - if the dancer comes COVID positive your child doesnt do it I am not sure the risk is reduced

We'd remove her for the activity and the rest of the week. It's half term next week. Any covid transmission will show in that time.

So pleased for the dancer.
A drummer friend has work too and dh has been in the studio.
All socially distancing.
Please don't make it harder for entertainers and musicians, this really is the first bit of work since march and many don't meet criteria for support.
Help us to become viable again.

Sounds lovely, my DC would love it and I’d be happy for them to take part.
If the dancer is willing to accept the risk to her then I’d be very grateful for the opportunity given to my children.

And how fabulous that she’s able to start earning again.

Visors are useless without a mask.

My ds is having a block of dance at the moment to help with their mental health, all taught by an outside dancer. It's well organised and the children are really enjoying it!

Sorry op but anyone can catch it from anywhere at anytime. Your child going to school is probably a greater risk than this one dance teacher coming in.

The kids/teachers could go to tesco/mcdonalds/park after school and pick it up and spread it a few days later. We can't stop everything. Sounds like steps have been out in place to reduce risks.

I think indoors dancing (which will presumably require heavy breathing) with no masks is a bit more risky than is good. The visor doesn't seem like it is of much use in that situation.

The crossing bubbles thing is relevant. She won't just be meeting up with other teachers. She'll be in a small hall with 30 children at a time for an hour(ish) at a time doing exercise which will mean heavy breathing.

one of those children is more likely to catch it from elsewhere, think about it 30 families, working, travelling, seeing relatives etc you sound over anxious OP.

I honestly don't see how you think the greatest risk at school is from a dancer wearing PPE who is 2m away from your child.

You do realise that the other children all go home to parents who have been at work, might have been in the pub, might have had had a party last weekend etc. The kids probably all played out after school with others not in their bubble, went swimming, etc. The staff might have all had lunch together, might have had their family round at the weekend, been shopping, been to a restaurant etc.

The dancer is the only one here at risk from the dance class.

@BoomBoomsCousin

I think indoors dancing (which will presumably require heavy breathing) with no masks is a bit more risky than is good. The visor doesn't seem like it is of much use in that situation.

The crossing bubbles thing is relevant. She won't just be meeting up with other teachers. She'll be in a small hall with 30 children at a time for an hour(ish) at a time doing exercise which will mean heavy breathing.

I hardly think a highly-trained and physically fit professional dancer is going to exert themselves so much in this scenario that they are going to be breathing heavily all over everybody.

@HugeAckmansWife

I bet you a million pounds they do. Its not feasible to run a school without it. There's one staff room, likely only one set of staff toilets for a start.

We aren't using our staff room, we either sit outside or very spaced out in the hall. We all bring flasks in, so no communal drink area is needed. We do share a toilet but wipe down taps, door handles etc each time we use it.

Do your kids have any form of club or activity out with school?

Any child with a sibling also crosses the bubbles.

I think you do sound overly anxious given that this isnt really adding in any extra risk to that that is already there

@Hercwasonaroll

SLT will cross bubbles. They have to.

No they don't. They don't enter classrooms at the moment.

I think your comparative risk assessment is skewed

I hardly think a highly-trained and physically fit professional dancer is going to exert themselves so much in this scenario that they are going to be breathing heavily all over everybody.

Why on earth not? If they are going to be displaying holds or leaps, that will require heavy breathing even if they're fit and since it's a workshop, from the children too, making them a higher risk for carrying the virus between bubbles than if they were, for instance, a visiting painter.

[quote ShinyGreenElephant]@MincepieMavis of course there is cross bubble contact between staff! How on earth could there not be? There will be one staff room, one or two staff toilets. Are there no school dinners? Lunch staff? Wheres the head and deputy, hiding in their offices 24/7?

If you're not comfortable with the dancing thats up to you but if you're bothered about cross bubble contact a visiting dancer is the least of your worries.[/quote]
None of our lunchtime supervisors cross bubbles. Dinners are eaten in classrooms, supervised by class teachers.

It's one person. The 3 primary schools I work in currently have different staff going in different classrooms all the time, kids all out at play time together, peripatetic music, PE and and MFL teachers and visitors.