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Covid
Are we key worker parents and our families just not important?
Bbq1 · 19/03/2020 16:42
Fuming and so angry that schools are opening for children of key workers. It's ok for non working parents and non essential people to stay at home but the rest of us working people are just thrown to the dogs to take our chances? I work in an educational setting where the sick and vulnerable children will attend while we are exposed to the illness. Surely they are the very children that should be staying home while schools open for healthy children?
AhoyMrBeaver · 19/03/2020 17:02
I think you've misunderstood what the situation is, and which children will be still in schools.
Non-essential workers aren't all stopping at home to look after their children, they're scrabbling around trying to arrange childcare because their children can't go to school.
The children of key workers are not all the ill ones.
WyfOfBathe · 19/03/2020 17:02
I'm a teacher. I'll be going in even if it becomes voluntary for some staff. I know that I couldn't survive without the NHS, supermarket suppliers, etc.
I'm lucky enough that my household doesn't have anyone in a high risk group, so looking after the kids of key workers is really the bare minimum I could be doing.
Coffeeandnutrients · 19/03/2020 17:04
@Keepcalmanddoyourbit
Not sure where your information is from but I can assure you the NHS workers do not have all the equipment required and the only thing that they’re “used to” is regular hand washing.
They are used to looking after sick people correct, what they aren’t used to is looking after people with an unknown spreading new virus with no immunity or medication against it yet.
Chloemol · 19/03/2020 17:08
Sick children won’t be attending, they will be at home , along with all close family members self isolating.
Do you want everyone to to stop working? No food, no electricity, gas, heating, no bins emptied n9 doctors or nurses, everyone left to rot?
No thought not
LastTrainEast · 19/03/2020 17:08
teaching doesn’t fall into that category think it through and you will realise that the admin people in your company also qualify as you will want wages and/or sick pay dealt with so you can buy food. Also benefits staff and 100s of other less obvious groups.
School cleaner for example isn't a glamorous job, but you have to have them to open the schools.
willowpatterns · 19/03/2020 17:11
There are many, many other people who are in a far worse situation than you OP, so just try and bear that in mind, will you?
A family member of mine has today been asked by her military employer if she is prepared to enter 'contaminated areas' to deep-clean. Would you like that job instead?
lyralalala · 19/03/2020 17:12
No way does the school need around fifty members of staff for six kids
Once all the plans shake down not all schools will be open as Boris said in his announcement.
It looks like it will be one or two schools in each area open to mind all the kids that need care. Staffing will then be worked out.
All schools open with all staff on Monday is a blunt tool because it's a fast-moving situation
wonderstuff · 19/03/2020 17:13
YABU
Some things need to carry on so that we protect the sick and vulnerable as well as maintaining essential services. Some services need parents to be free to work so teachers and other childcarers who aren't at a serious risk from catching Clovid-19 need to step up. I'm highly unlikely to need hospital care if I get it so I'm happy to carry on teaching and caring for the most vulnerable kids. If we don't all work together then this is going to be much worse for us all. I think we need to thank our lucky stars that this virus doesn't seem to be claiming many of fit, healthy young or middle aged adults.
AriadnesFilament · 19/03/2020 17:28
The reason that schools are still open for kids of key workers is precisely because key workers ARE important.
Everyone else (bar vulnerable children) is having to continue to work with no arrangements for their children at all.
How do you not get that?!
gluteustothemaximus · 19/03/2020 17:30
Why are sick children going to be coming to school? Surely anyone with symptoms or living with someone with symptoms is still to self isolate for 7/14 days?
Because despite that being the right thing to do, there will STILL be kids sent in who are clearly unwell. Because some parents are so selfish.
I think those that work in schools are the lucky ones. I work in a school. I think therefore I still have a job, even if that job is now childcare for the most vulnerable and key workers. DH is at home with the little ones anyway while I work. Income is low, but we have an income.
Those who are losing their jobs left right and centre with no protection, these are the unlucky ones. Those who aren't key workers and are now desperate for child care, these are the unlucky ones.
Yeah, we're probably now going to work through the Easter Hols, maybe even the Summer Hols....but at least we can work. At least we can do our bit to help key workers keep our country going.
Devlesko · 19/03/2020 17:47
I don't think teachers should be forced to work, tbh.
It should be done on a voluntary basis, if they aren't in an at risk group themselves.
Doctors and nurses know they will be expected to be on the front line.
So do the armed forces, fire fighters, etc.
Teachers are supposed to educate not child mind during a pandemic.
The union should prevent this, it's not part of the job description or role.
PerfectParrot · 19/03/2020 17:57
I'm lucky enough that my household doesn't have anyone in a high risk group, so looking after the kids of key workers is really the bare minimum I could be doing.
This is my position too. Teachers who are medically vulnerable should be allowed to stay home though.
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