I'm really scared. Not allowed to wear a mask at work

[LavenderLilacTree]

It's just to vent really as I know there is no way round it.

I am really scared. I am a TA and when all the pupils are back in school we aren't allowed to wear face masks or any PPE. Social distancing is not going to happen.

The government have said only go back to work if it's safe and you can ensure social distancing, well it's not going to be safe for me. Government say to wear face coverings in enclosed spaces but teachers and TAs are not allowed to.

I am scared. I am in my 40s and have 3 children in Yr 8, Yr 7 and Yr 5 . I know it's a 3% chance of dying but to me that's not an insignificant risk. I would never take part in any activity that had a 3% chance of dying.

I just feel like the government doesn't value my life. This is a deadly virus that KILLS, i want to wear a mask. My life matters to me, my husband and my children.

It's scary at work at the moment but we only have 4- 7 kids in. When we have a full school it's going to be impossible to stay 2 meters apart so therefore you feel I should at least be able to wear a mask.

I love my job and the children at school but I don't want to give my life for it. I just think I should be able to have some form of protection. It's like my life doesn't matter.

Masks protect other people, not the wearer.
That said, I do feel sorry for you and all school staff. We are told that children are unlikely to be spreaders, but it must be a worry.

Who said teachers can’t wear masks?

Masks stop the spread. Not the catching.

We can wear masks if we choose but schools aren't going to be full for a long time so I think you're worrying unnecessarily at the moment.

If speech therapists are wearing masks, surely teachers and school staff can?

I feel for you OP, and I really really hope the science behind children not being spreaders is enough to help with the worry. My mother who is a Manager at care company had been doing care without mask. A few people I know work in the supermarket without masks. You're not alone in your fear.

Masks protect other people, not the wearer.

It depends on the type of mask. Some protect both, others, such as cloth masks, just protect other people

No one can tell you you're not allowed to wear a mask if you choose to.

Why aren't educators allowed to wear masks? especially around children who don't cover their mouth when they cough

Government guidance that has come out has says that PPE would not be worn in schools, do it's official

Where have you got the idea you have a 3% chance of dying? That's nonsense.

How did you get that going to work gives you a 3% chance of dying?

In the press briefing tonight Boris said you can report workplaces for not being 'Covid Secure', no idea what he means by this but you could look into it.

It’s much much less than 3%

I can’t keep up but at the moment I think it’s 0.00006?

I think the government are saying that as they know they can’t provide it. Can you source your own? I don’t see if you source your own and wear it how anyone can stop you.

endof that's not what they were saying on the BBC news tonight.

OP, I agree. I think kids would get used to it really quickly. I would imagine if PPE was allowed for kids too, more parents would be happy to send their DC back (tbf, is that a good thing?).
I'm in the vulnerable group and im really hoping they will reconsider this. It says members of the vulnerable group can be redeployed to less risky positions. I'm a HOD of a core subject. Not sure the Head will be happy for me to be sitting in an office all day .

I've actually been looking up how much I would get on universal credit if I give up work. Not sure it's an option I should be seriously let looKing into after 17 years teaching (and loving my job). I'm a single parent so feel I have even less of a choice. Any other job and I'd have more safe guidance!

It's not a 3% risk of dying for otherwise healthy 40 year olds.

Are you in a union? If not join one now. The NEU are very clear to the government that they will resist the return until it is properly safe.

Nothing is no risk. You presumably travel on the roads which carry a risk every day.

Where did you get the 3% from OP?

Unless you are going to be rocking up in full PPE it’s irrelevant. A mask isn’t going to protect you. I completely understand why you wouldn’t feel safe in your job, but don’t let the idea of no mask sway your thinking too much. I don’t think having the mask would actually decrease your risk by much. So it’s more whether you are prepared to take the risk at all.

(PPE) including face coverings and face masks
Wearing a face covering or face mask in schools or other education settings is not recommended.

But they recommend one in supermarkets and public transport, surely a classroom is more closed in than a supermarket?
I completely sympathise, both ds and I are asthmatic so very worried.

No one has said teachers can't wear masks. If they do, that's illegal.

The chance of dying is less than 0.2% of infected people, so much, much lower than that of all people (in their 40s).

DfE guidance published this evening have said this.