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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that many folk in the UK don't understand how dangerous extreme heat is?

195 replies

FunnysInLaJardin · 17/07/2022 22:22

Seriously, telling a teacher to suck it up in a classroom with no aircon and 30 kids at 40 degrees.

I have many times experienced this kind of heat and you have to keep cool, otherwise it is truly dangerous

OP posts:
OppsUpsSide · 17/07/2022 22:25

But I don’t think it is impossible to keep cool in a classroom, HOWEVER I have 10 kids in my shady classroom and a high level of safeguarding needs that means we need to be in, my own children are staying home.

StarDolphins · 17/07/2022 22:29

It’s dangerous if you’re sat at home or in the classroom or a Dr in A&E, it’s dangerous for all but with sensible adjustments unfortunately we all just have to get on with it? What would happen if No one went to work? What about all the newborn babies & the elderly? They’re the ones at risk.Surely whether you’re at home or at work, it’s dangerous either way! Drink plenty, don’t go out in the sun, keep windows shut etc!

most people won’t die!

OppsUpsSide · 17/07/2022 22:35

Yea it’s not quite that simple, for example I am pretty certain my class will be fine(ish ) tomorrow, another class in the same school won’t be due to classroom, position and students. I get where you’re coming from, but what I was trying to say is not all situations are equal. I will be in come hell or high water and my school will do everything possible to get the kids in, but my own kids aren’t going because they are in a different school, with different facilities and my children have different needs.

Original poster
FunnysInLaJardin · 17/07/2022 22:36

I have aircon in my office and so can keep cool.

My DH has to teach in a room on the 3rd floor with no aircon, and windows that can't be opened lest someone jumps out, with 30 hot kids.

Our schools are happily shut tomorrow due to the heat.

I just think a degree of common sense needs to be applied. If your job isn't essential and you cant keep reasonably cool you shouldn't have to work

OP posts:
Ganymedemoon · 17/07/2022 22:36

I agree. My DDs school have given us the option to send in or keep at home. I am surprised at the number of people who could keep their kids at home but are not. I get it's not an option for all though. Their classroom will hit over 40 degrees they are at the end of term where zero learning takes place and you have the option to not send them due to the heat. I feel incredibly bad for the teachers. My dd will stay home as I am off tomorrow and Tuesday, thank god!

Elaine2468 · 17/07/2022 22:37

Many folk probably don't understand the need for yet another new thread about it. People are strange like that.

OppsUpsSide · 17/07/2022 22:37

Don’t boost it by posting then

Gwenhwyfar · 17/07/2022 22:38

"I just think a degree of common sense needs to be applied. If your job isn't essential and you cant keep reasonably cool you shouldn't have to work"

I agree actually. Non-essential work can be paused in extreme weather just like it is for snow days.

Soggycrisps · 17/07/2022 22:38

Teacher could use a floor fan or hand fan. Can wear loose thin clothing. Bring extra water. Bring a frozen drink. It's manageable.

Ganymedemoon · 17/07/2022 22:38

@Elaine2468 scroll on... simple.

Ganymedemoon · 17/07/2022 22:39

Soggycrisps · 17/07/2022 22:38

Teacher could use a floor fan or hand fan. Can wear loose thin clothing. Bring extra water. Bring a frozen drink. It's manageable.

Fans merely distribute hot air in this heat. It really is not enough in close to 40 degrees or in classroom which will in reality be over 40 degrees.

MichelleScarn · 17/07/2022 22:40

FunnysInLaJardin · 17/07/2022 22:22

Seriously, telling a teacher to suck it up in a classroom with no aircon and 30 kids at 40 degrees.

I have many times experienced this kind of heat and you have to keep cool, otherwise it is truly dangerous

Are teachers more at risk
/having it worse than any other profession? Cops wearing body armour, hospital and community staff in full ppe, fire fighters in breathing apparatus, people in manual jobs joining heavy shit about, military out on parade?

GCHeretic · 17/07/2022 22:40

FunnysInLaJardin · 17/07/2022 22:36

I have aircon in my office and so can keep cool.

My DH has to teach in a room on the 3rd floor with no aircon, and windows that can't be opened lest someone jumps out, with 30 hot kids.

Our schools are happily shut tomorrow due to the heat.

I just think a degree of common sense needs to be applied. If your job isn't essential and you cant keep reasonably cool you shouldn't have to work

If you don’t have underlying health issues it’s not dangerous, it’s just uncomfortable.

GCHeretic · 17/07/2022 22:42

MichelleScarn · 17/07/2022 22:40

Are teachers more at risk
/having it worse than any other profession? Cops wearing body armour, hospital and community staff in full ppe, fire fighters in breathing apparatus, people in manual jobs joining heavy shit about, military out on parade?

Show quote history

No, they just seem to all be so damned whiny all the time.

Monoandsix · 17/07/2022 22:42

FunnysInLaJardin · 17/07/2022 22:36

I have aircon in my office and so can keep cool.

My DH has to teach in a room on the 3rd floor with no aircon, and windows that can't be opened lest someone jumps out, with 30 hot kids.

Our schools are happily shut tomorrow due to the heat.

I just think a degree of common sense needs to be applied. If your job isn't essential and you cant keep reasonably cool you shouldn't have to work

Did you learn nothing from Covid?!

When the schools close parents need to take time off to look after their kids. Those parents include people who work for the emergency services and provide essential services.

So if the schools close, a large proportion of the workforce can't turn into work.

OppsUpsSide · 17/07/2022 22:42

I would argue firefighters, police officers and NHS are dealing with work that require constant and immediate responses, and that is why they are classed as the ‘emergency services’ and schools aren’t…

OppsUpsSide · 17/07/2022 22:44

And they’re not all resourced by single parents with no back up child care

lollipoprainbow · 17/07/2022 22:44

It's boiling hot now so goodness knows what tomorrow will be like. I just don't know what to do about my dd going to school. The forecast is 29 tomorrow and 31 Tuesday so not in the 40's as predicted.

What are the dangers to life I keep reading about on those without underlying health conditions??

Hollyhead · 17/07/2022 22:45

I don’t necessarily expect schools to function as normal but I do expect them to be open. They could ask people who can to stay at home and then use halls/shaded areas etc for children who do need to go in. Loose non uniform, lots of drinks, fans, access to cool cloths for teachers. There is lots that can be done so that schools can remain open for the children who’s parents still have work.

katesbushh · 17/07/2022 22:47

Yes it's hot and frankly makes me feel sick.
But I work in a hospital and on top of it being stuffy on a normal day I have to wear ppe.
Shall I just not go in either?

Or is it only teachers who are going to suffer tomorrow?

I'm leaving drinks out for my postman tomorrow who will still have to walk around in it.
The police
Firefighters?
Delivery drivers.

I don't get this poor teacher thing on here at the moment. And I'm not anti teacher at all. I'm married to one!

Ganymedemoon · 17/07/2022 22:49

lollipoprainbow · 17/07/2022 22:44

It's boiling hot now so goodness knows what tomorrow will be like. I just don't know what to do about my dd going to school. The forecast is 29 tomorrow and 31 Tuesday so not in the 40's as predicted.

What are the dangers to life I keep reading about on those without underlying health conditions??

The dangers really would just be people been stupid and sun bathing in the heat, going out and not drinking enough water or drinking lots of alcohol so getting pretty serious heat stroke or proper sun burn, not your regular slightly red sun burn. I'm a medic in A&E and see it every time the temp soars. So yes as long as healthy people are sensible and stay out of the sun, drink lots of water, they should be fine.

bg21 · 17/07/2022 22:51

FunnysInLaJardin · 17/07/2022 22:36

I have aircon in my office and so can keep cool.

My DH has to teach in a room on the 3rd floor with no aircon, and windows that can't be opened lest someone jumps out, with 30 hot kids.

Our schools are happily shut tomorrow due to the heat.

I just think a degree of common sense needs to be applied. If your job isn't essential and you cant keep reasonably cool you shouldn't have to work

are you saying that teaching isn't an essential job lol

BlackeyedSusan · 17/07/2022 22:53

1600 excess deaths last year in a heat wave that was not as hot as this one. (Reported on the news)

Level 4 heat alert means even healthy non vulnerable people are at risk.

gettingolderandgrumpy · 17/07/2022 22:53

Of course people understand but what do you expect just because we aren’t crying close schools and that’s it’s hot and we will all die doesn’t mean we don’t understand. It’s for 2 days by Wednesday it’s back down to 19c . It’s bloody uncomfortable and I feel for those who have no air con but for most will be fine . The elderly and vulnerable need to take care . The rest of us bd sensible that means don’t walk you dog in 35c heat or think it’s a good idea to go for a walk with no water .

Unconfused · 17/07/2022 22:56

A newspaper reported it was going to be (it'll make you laugh...)

"TWICE AS HOT ON MONDAY AS THE NORMAL AVERAGE"

Aw, so sweet. 😂 But it shows how (some, at least) don't understand the concept of temperatures.