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Original poster

Covid positive and working in education rules vs government rules

91 replies

MsWalterMitty · 26/03/2022 17:25

I tested positive last week, and my school rule is that we do not come in to work until 2x neg tests on consecutive days…. I know a lot of schools are doing this. So we’re forced to stay off on sick pay.

As we all know, it’s not a requirement to self isolate anymore, however I have for the past 4 days. Which was okay when my own kids were in school!

They’ve driven me mad today and I have literally no symptoms… despite still testing positive.

If I went out with the kids tomorrow for a bike ride in a quiet area, and…, I also have to go get some food supplies! Went in to the supermarket. Do you think I’d get bollocked for that by my managers?

The only reason I’m not in work is because of their rules.

OP posts:
JustLyra · 26/03/2022 19:11

I genuinely don’t understand this. I agree with you - it’s not just a cold for some people (apart from every single person I’ve ever met, but hey), but that has never given us this level of angst before. We didn’t stress if we were “negative” for norovirus/ flu/ swine flu/ stomach bug before we let ourselves get back out into the world. The media have done a fantastic job of whipping up the fear in the last 2 years and now people literally cannot think for themselves.

Swine flu quarantine was considerably stricter than covid - no-one was ringing four times a day to ensure you were still home during covid whereas they did with swine flu.

Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 26/03/2022 19:14

[quote Abaababa]@MsWalterMitty - your 8 year old doesn’t have to do the grocery shopping, they’ve had online grocery shopping here for about two decades now. Not hard to find a solution that doesn’t compromise others’ health.[/quote]
Can you buy a small amount via online shop, to arrive tomorrow?… I’ve never done it before

OP posts:
ThePenIsBlue · 26/03/2022 19:16

@JustLyra

I genuinely don’t understand this. I agree with you - it’s not just a cold for some people (apart from every single person I’ve ever met, but hey), but that has never given us this level of angst before. We didn’t stress if we were “negative” for norovirus/ flu/ swine flu/ stomach bug before we let ourselves get back out into the world. The media have done a fantastic job of whipping up the fear in the last 2 years and now people literally cannot think for themselves.

Swine flu quarantine was considerably stricter than covid - no-one was ringing four times a day to ensure you were still home during covid whereas they did with swine flu.

I don’t know if this is true. Probably is. Swine flu was Probably a lot worse to get than covid. But the media didn’t wet their knickers about it and the government didn’t give everyone a billion free tests so it passed with only a vague knowledge it was there….:
AuntieStella · 26/03/2022 19:19

Can you buy a small amount via online shop, to arrive tomorrow?… I’ve never done it before

Yes

Different providers have different cut offs in timing and in minimum spend but it's possible.

Try Deliveroo groceries as well as supermarkets. IIRC, co-op and Iceland are both pretty good at short notice slots

itsgettingweird · 26/03/2022 19:19

Swine flu had a mass vaccination programme very quickly.

Difference between the 2 is we had flu vaccines already and some immunity to flu.

Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 26/03/2022 19:22

@AuntieStella

Can you buy a small amount via online shop, to arrive tomorrow?… I’ve never done it before

Yes

Different providers have different cut offs in timing and in minimum spend but it's possible.

Try Deliveroo groceries as well as supermarkets. IIRC, co-op and Iceland are both pretty good at short notice slots

Thanks
OP posts:
DontLookBackInAnger1 · 26/03/2022 19:23

Of course not, you don't have to isolate.

They don't want you in school so as not to infect everyone at school. But you're allowed out. Personally I'd avoid supermarkets but I wouldn't be staying in myself.

JustLyra · 26/03/2022 19:27

I don’t know if this is true. Probably is. Swine flu was Probably a lot worse to get than covid. But the media didn’t wet their knickers about it and the government didn’t give everyone a billion free tests so it passed with only a vague knowledge it was there….:

It is true. It’s what happened. Including calls at 3am and people banging at the door if you didn’t answer.

MsMartini · 26/03/2022 19:30

We haven't had tests like these for any previous pandemic or epidemic AFAIK. And I'm not sure any have had such easy transmission from asymptomatic or pre-symptamoatic people, and in an immune-naive population (many previous diseases were related to previous outbreaks so there was some population immunity).

People saying we don't do this for flu etc are missing all those points.

MsMartini · 26/03/2022 19:33

My dc were at one of the schools with early swine flu outbreaks - they were sent home for 2 weeks, told not to mix, etc. It turned out not to be as much of a thread as overseas data had suggested, thankfully - but it was taken extremely seriously at first and the media camped out outside their school.

robocracker · 26/03/2022 19:38

My school rules are the same and my hod was really pissy with me. Not my fault you made the rules!! I have actually been ill though I couldn't have worked this week. Had a negative test this morning. I'm considering just saying it's negative tomorrow too even if it's not as I top up my pt contract with supply, I lost nearly £400 this week as I wasn't able to do the 2 days supply I had booked. I need to make up that time next week.

Tbh it's prob just gonna lead to teachers lying about their tests as it's just easier to be at work,especially if you feel well!

Lavenderlid · 26/03/2022 19:39

I would have investigated online shopping delivery (some small local shops do this as well as the supermarkets) long before I would have considered walking in to a supermarket knowing I had Covid.

ProfYaffle · 26/03/2022 19:41

I work in HR in Education. In my organisation you wouldn't be sanctioned for going out, so long as you're not in work while testing positive we wouldn't care.

Obviously I can't tell you whether your organisation would manage the situation in the same way or not.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 26/03/2022 19:50

I'm a teacher and we have a similar policy. I tested positive on Monday. Rang work and explained. My SMT emailed a list of admin jobs I can do at home. Without me asking.

I tried the first day. Now I'm so ill I can't work.

If you're well enough to be out and about can you work from home?

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 26/03/2022 19:59

@Whatelsecouldibecalled

We aren’t being asked to work
From home but to provide cover work. I felt fine so a friend from my department brought me back marking/ books/ mocks after worked and I had 10 days of marking… was great, never marked so well in my life and then my first week back ofsted came in and my books couldn’t have looked better!!!

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 26/03/2022 20:04

@OnceuponaRainbow18 we have to send cover work too but are expected to work unless basically dying Confused

And if practically dying still have to send lesson plans

HavenHa · 26/03/2022 20:09

@MsWalterMitty

But I’ve told you what the rules are at my school. I don’t want to go in to too much detail about where I work and what I do. But yes I work in a school

I asked because you said 'company'. Teachers don't usually work for 'a company' but a school, a trust or a local authority. It isn't usual for a teacher to say 'the company I work for'.

My staff at school, who work for a company, are my kitchen staff who are employed by a catering firm.

Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 26/03/2022 20:12

@Whatelsecouldibecalled

I'm a teacher and we have a similar policy. I tested positive on Monday. Rang work and explained. My SMT emailed a list of admin jobs I can do at home. Without me asking.

I tried the first day. Now I'm so ill I can't work.

If you're well enough to be out and about can you work from home?

On sick pay?… no thankyou
OP posts:
Whatelsecouldibecalled · 26/03/2022 20:16

@MsWalterMitty if you're a teacher sick pay is full pay for 6 months?

countdowntonap · 26/03/2022 20:22

Why are you even testing if not to try and benefit from some time off work?

robocracker · 26/03/2022 20:23

My head emailed me and asked me to do voice over PowerPoints. I provided very good cover so she can F off. I was so ill earlier this week and still not right. Plus I've covered loads on supply and not one other teacher had recorded PowerPoints!

It's annoyed me that assumption is I'm well just unable to come in due to positive test. I've been really rough!

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 26/03/2022 20:26

@robocracker

Wtf.. a voiceover?!!! Maybe covid shrunk her brain

Keenoonvino · 26/03/2022 20:47

@countdowntonap

Why are you even testing if not to try and benefit from some time off work?
This!!!

(Probably because they are public sector workers!)

Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 26/03/2022 20:51

@Lavenderlid

I would have investigated online shopping delivery (some small local shops do this as well as the supermarkets) long before I would have considered walking in to a supermarket knowing I had Covid.
It’s easier just to walk to the shop… considering it’s not a legal requirement to isolate.

I also assumed that online shops had a minimum spend

OP posts:
Original poster
MsWalterMitty · 26/03/2022 20:52

@countdowntonap

Why are you even testing if not to try and benefit from some time off work?
I am absolutely wanting to benefit from the time off… considering I don’t even feel unwell. But I’m nervous I’ll be disciplined if I’m seen out
OP posts: