How the hell are parents meant to work?

[worzelsnurzel123]

With this latest blow from schools and yet further delays, I predict employers will cease to be “ fair” and they will run out of the patience BJ vaguely muttered about hoping they’d have. So what are the options?

1. Resign from jobs? This could have massive impact on income, likely to affect women and the future of women’s’ rights and progress in the workplace, creation of mental health issues and socio economic problems
2. Will some parents be pushed in to feeling the have no choice but to leave kids home alone? Esp those who are borderline age group eg 8-12. Not ideal at all. Clearly this will impact on MH, safety, parental work performance.
3. Leave kids with grandparents who are likely to be over 70 in many cases, shielding or vulnerable. Risks of passing the virus on would lead to guilt , worry on both sides.
4. Wait for everything to fuck up work wise, scrabble for child care here there and everywhere, lose employers good will due to time off needed and eventually get dismissed for poor attendance, breach of conduct and or poor performance

This is a disgrace. An absolute disgrace

Except medics are scientists who know about health and teachers aren’t.

I do wish people would stop saying “you’ll just have to make other arrangements”. When every. other. possible. avenue. has been blocked. It’s like sending someone up Everest in trainers and saying “well if you fall you can’t call an ambulance so you’ll just have to sort something else out”.

Insanity.

And who is stamping feet?

Speaking to parents as though they are children - again!

You don't get to decide what risk is acceptable. That's up to the medics and the staff themselves

And here teachers have been telling us it’s the government, or the unions...

I don’t want to bully anyone back to work - I do want a workable education provision for my children and I’ll stamp my feet as much as I like if it means the government properly consider children’s educational needs in conjunction with the impact on women - which I don’t think it much to ask tbh.

Ok.
So people have repeatedly said it’s the government.
Now someone says it’s the teachers?

Which is it?

Wish the government would just come out and admit they're building the plane as they're flying it - they haven't a clue. It is a complete and utter car crash

You don't get to decide what risk is acceptable. That's up to the medics and the staff themselves.*

The government medics and scientists advise. The government makes decisions based on that advice.

Teachers on here have repeatedly said they don't make decisions. What's changed?

See the thing is OP, it's saving lives [...] the lockdown and school closures have saved MILLIONS of lives

Not this bollocks again. Spare us all.

I like the idea that you can "just get another job" or "just go on benefits", though.

I lost my job as a result of lockdown, in a sector which continues to be wiped out (so it will be really easy for me to "get another job"). I don't qualify for benefits, either.

Try that one for size, Lavender.

It shouldn’t have to come down to feet stamping or bullying! The needs of children should come first, as a society we should want that. I could understand if the risks were high, but we know that, for the majority, this virus is not a significant threat. Three weeks of lockdown - fine, six weeks - ok, but we’re 12 weeks in now! How long is ok to keep children locked away from their friends, family, sports, education?

It’s not up to the staff! Unless they are shielded they need to get back to work when the govt tell them to. Employees of other organisations don’t get to decide. They go back when they are told!!

Agree.

Yes and make up your minds- one minute it’s out of the teachers’ hands and the next they will jolly well go back when they jolly well decide! You can’t have it both ways. You need to be more consistent and on top of your message if you are going to try to patronise intelligent women/men.

That's what I meant by bullying. Thanks for proving my point so well.

The government have fucked up so badly that no one trusts them to have a clue any more.

You can deploy as many exclamation marks as you like, Worzel, you won't force teachers back to work until the medics say it's safe.

The time for trusting Johnson to know what he's doing is long gone.

@DomDoesWotHeWants

That's what I meant by bullying. Thanks for proving my point so well.

The government have fucked up so badly that no one trusts them to have a clue any more.

What is????

Oh come on @DomDoesWotHeWants.

You said it’s up to teachers to decide. You need to stand by that statement.

What "medics" are we talking about?

I'm appalled at the lack of media coverage on this. Not one journalist asked a question on this at today's news conference.

Someone has already raised this a Mumsnet campaign and I've added this thread.

Is anyone on here a journalist or does anyone know anyone who can pick this up to get some media coverage?

Ironically the tabloids are normally trawling Mumsnet threads for news and now we want some profile raising there is nothing!

When the medical scientists say it is safe to go back then every teacher will have to decide if the small risk is worth taking.

I imagine most will be happy to go back in September to classes of 15. But some here seem to think they should abandon thoughts of safety for themselves or the DCs and just go back to full classes even if the medics say it isn't safe.

My reply from my MSP in Scotland was not great. Just told me grandparents are still not allowed but didn't say when it would be

And what if the "medics" say normal ft school is going ahead? Then what?

They won't. Schools are no safer than any other public building. When social distancing is abandoned in pubs, shops, gyms etc then that's when schools will think about it.

My dentist is wearing PPE to treat patients- emergencies only.

When that's no longer necessary then schools can look at larger classes.

I’m very confused- why do teachers who are not shielding get to “ decide”. If they’ve been told to return and they don’t want to then that would be a frustration of contract.

@DomDoesWotHeWants

They won't. Schools are no safer than any other public building. When social distancing is abandoned in pubs, shops, gyms etc then that's when schools will think about it.

My dentist is wearing PPE to treat patients- emergencies only.

When that's no longer necessary then schools can look at larger classes.

I think you're going to be in for a shock tbh.

Ps drilling someone's mouth is much more risky than just being in the same room as children.

I mean they will decide if it's worth carrying on teaching. Given the attitude of many here I expect they will think very hard about joining the droves who have already left.