Back to School - AIBU to expect further chaos?

[DadAManger]

We are less than one month out now from both our children returning to school. Like many others, my DD and DS were taken out of school and had to isolate because of cases within their year several times during the last school year. The whole period was stop:start for them.

I feel like we are making progress in lots of areas and feel much more freedom than we had before of course, but we know now that the Delta/Indian Variant spreads very easily and with a greater viral load amongst our kids. And Autumn does tend to see an increase in cases.

Are schools going to have to pull kids from school again and follow the same approach as before and AIBU to expect more chaos again?

I think it'll be rubbish, but all swept under the carpet.

Loads of kids are going catch it, teachers will be off, parents will get sick and be off work, grandparents will get hospitalised.

But the government will pretend it isn't happening.

Are you against testing Trying? The kids seem to get on with it with minimal fuss. They were shown how to do it and then just got on with it themselves.

We were given fortnightly reports of Yr group testing (essentially %'s of reported tests) and it was consistently high across all year groups.

Not against testing. Against mandatory testing. And non mandatory testing presented as such, aswell as testing that increases the mental harm to children should they be positive.

So how would you address covid in schools and protect CEV children that don't qualify for the vaccine (as yet).

My ds has already been told his year will be later in the week. When due back.

I am thinking of a daytrip instead of a lf which we are doing at home anyway and it will be quieter.

I see no point him going to school for a test. He did after last lockdown but had no tests at home

@Notonthestairs

So how would you address covid in schools and protect CEV children that don't qualify for the vaccine (as yet).

1) Vaccinate - other countries have, we have fucked this up 2) Ventilation/air monitoring 3) Masks

LFTs are not having much impact - as evidenced by the rates in June/July - they are largely a performance to avoid doing anything meaningful

@Notonthestairs Test at home? Don't send year 7s to school, first time stepping foot in the place to be excluded for 10 days for being diseased.

There's a certain type of person who refers to kids as 'diseased'.

My secondary will test every year group, as they return in a phased way the first week back. We would prefer to trust parents to get it done at home, but can't, and our school had children ill with the delta variant in June and July, and vulnerable staff and kids at risk all year because of this. Parents have died too, due to tragically underestimating the risk of mixing in big social gatherings, so we have kids orphaned by this and now in the hands of social services.
We want things back to normal but unless everyone continues to be vigilant about it, that normality is far away. Can't believe the comment about an 11 year old not being able to "tolerate" an LF test. Such an ordeal, not. You get used to them very quickly and they are no hardship compared to what so many people go through in this world.
Schools will be as normal as the collective effort of society allows them to be.

Agree with 1 & 2 on your list @lannistunut. 3 I feel conflicted about just because DS was really happy not to have to wear them in class - he wears glasses and we've never been able to solve the fog issue. I wear masks but have never needed to wear them for longer than an hour so I feel like a bit of a hypocrite.

Yes, the use of the word diseased is intended to be loaded and confirmed my thought that poster doesn't want any mitigations in place.

They are sent home because they have Covid. They might feel like they are being treated as if they are diseased. It's quite a big deal to be sent home. Much better for parent to make a phonecall and explain why they are not coming in.

@Notonthestairs

Agree with 1 & 2 on your list *@lannistunut*. 3 I feel conflicted about just because DS was really happy not to have to wear them in class - he wears glasses and we've never been able to solve the fog issue. I wear masks but have never needed to wear them for longer than an hour so I feel like a bit of a hypocrite.

Yes, the use of the word diseased is intended to be loaded and confirmed my thought that poster doesn't want any mitigations in place.

My youngest also wears glasses and found no issues once he started wearing a surgical mask under a fabric mask. My DH also reported this stopped the fogging.

Yes, the use of the word diseased is intended to be loaded and confirmed my thought that poster doesn't want any mitigations in place.

I agree.

Us4Them like to use the word diseased.

2 weeks to go in Scotland and my 13 year old doesn't even have a timetable yet.

Last week got a letter from 9 year olds school to say all COVID arrangements remain in place same as last term.

Then Chief Mammy Nicola announced the next day that under 12s no longer have to wear masks.

Between that and the kerfuffle about 'vertical' drinking I don't have a clue what's going on in Scotland.

Unfortunately neither does the Scottish Government.

@lannistunut do they wear the blue disposable surgical masks with the strip or the white circular ones? Am thinking I probably need to stock up now rather then get caught out again.

Understand your frustrations Ginty. I think HT's will be left picking up the pieces after late directions from government again.

[quote Notonthestairs]@lannistunut do they wear the blue disposable surgical masks with the strip or the white circular ones? Am thinking I probably need to stock up now rather then get caught out again.

Understand your frustrations Ginty. I think HT's will be left picking up the pieces after late directions from government again. [/quote]
Hi, the blue ones and then an adjustable fabric shaped one over the top. I have just stocked up again, they were on Buy One Get One Free last week in Boots so we got a stock for next term. I checked with school and the head said he is definitely going to allow kids to opt to wear masks if they wish.

Our primary has sent out guidelines already there is no need for masks no more staggered starts and ends to the school day we are keeping with the seperate entrances but thats it all back to normal

👍 thanks

@Howshouldibehave Do they own the term diseased?
Young people should be tested at home. It is unkind to bring children in on their first day and turn them around to go home when there is a better way. The children will feel excluded, it will be very upsetting. Even if they know and understand the reason. Much better to stay at home if you test positive.

So you are fine with Y8 and above being tested in September as it is not their first day?

No, they also should have their tests done at home. It's better for the same reasons. Although it is not their very first day, it is still the first day in a new form etc etc. In March most people didn't have tests at home, and school was easier than the test centres for most families I expect.

My kid won't be getting tested any more. There is no upside. All this testingvand isolating of healthy individuals needs to stop. Kids gave had enough disruption

@a8mint

My kid won't be getting tested any more. There is no upside. All this testingvand isolating of healthy individuals needs to stop. Kids gave had enough disruption

For me a big upside would be not infecting my elderly parents.

@lannistunut Did you parents not manage to get their vaccine yet? I've heard elderly housebound people have been missed in a fair few cases.