Page 9 | I'm a teacher and Boris you have failed us

NewnameNelly · 2020-09-22T22:21:17+00:00

My school has no ppe, we have a cleaner wiping touch points all through the day. We have antibacterial hand-wash and sanitiser, but it still isn't compulsory for us to wear masks/face shields. Two weeks in to us starting back and I'm off sick waiting for a home test and I've been trying to get hold of one for the past 2 days and all I am getting is this. Come back later, what when I'm calling an ambulance or dead. So much for having key workers as a priority. University lecturers are making students wear masks and so are they but us teachers are being completely forgotten. If you want your children to have an education, you need to protect and look after the teachers! Boris you have failed me!

MiniTheMinx · 23/09/2020 14:04

@noblegiraffe

Clav entirely unsure how what France is doing is relevant here, but Boris disagrees with the French Education Minister and says that covid is readily transmissible between children and adults.

Hmm, that's not what the womble was saying a few weeks back though. He is flip flopping about all over the shop, I doubt he even knows in his own mind what he thinks.

If Boris thinks this virus is readily transmissible between children and adults, that children can and will give this virus to teachers, then he is culpable of manslaughter when just one teacher dies having contracted Covid in a school. Teachers have as much lright to safe working conditions as any other workers. But the failure of test and trace is of course instrumental now in hiding the source of infection. It seems almost conveniently to have failed at the very point it was most needed, and to what possible end and no good explanation is given.

Clavinova · 23/09/2020 14:04

And Labour's Cat McKinnell disagrees with Boris

So? Unless Boris performs another u-turn and says 'actually it is hurrah a fact of the disease that it is not readily transmissible between children and adults', that statement, which was used to set the rule of 6 policy in England to include children, will now mean it will have to inform other areas of policy involving children too.

Unless of course he was referring to close, intimate contact in a family setting. Also, there has to be a balance of priorities in any policy decision.

HipTightOnions · 23/09/2020 14:11

My apologies, PrivateD00r, I hadn’t taken in your earlier posts(s) and no I’m not looking for a row. Most people suggesting “PPE” for teachers mean just a visor (that’s what my school allows) or surgical mask, which would be hard to teach in and pretty pointless.

Yes, I do think the students should be wearing masks.

PrivateD00r · 23/09/2020 14:26

@HipTightOnions

My apologies, PrivateD00r, I hadn’t taken in your earlier posts(s) and no I’m not looking for a row. Most people suggesting “PPE” for teachers mean just a visor (that’s what my school allows) or surgical mask, which would be hard to teach in and pretty pointless.

Yes, I do think the students should be wearing masks.

Fair enough, sorry I thought you were being confrontational! I promise, I fully support teachers.

Original poster

NewnameNelly · 23/09/2020 14:39

@Helpmyhair2019

We keep running out of PPE. We are cleaning toilets after every child uses it (teachers and ta), I have chidlren with high needs who cannot understand social distancing, with colds sneezing directly in my face. Most of the cleaners have resigned and our toilet wasn’t properly deep cleaned (other than what we as teachers did) for four days. I feel totally unprotected and if anyone at my schools gets Covid it will knock us all as there is no way to stay distanced and look after ourselves at the same time as managing the children’s needs. I almost cried when I tried to go into an empty dentist reception area with a mask and was Told I had to pay by phone as it was too dangerous for me to use contactless payment with the receptionist behind a plastic wall. What about us in schools?

This last sentence made me choke up. You're completely right, it is a joke. When I go for my chiropractor appointments I'm wearing a mask lying face down on a bed, paying beforehand, my chiropractor wears ppe, a face mask and shield. I'm so sorry we are all going through this right now, if we get ill, your children get ill, schools will be closed. If we could nip just get PPE and tests to hand, then this really would make doing our job safer for ALL.

OP posts:

MiniTheMinx · 23/09/2020 14:46

@Clavinova

And Labour's Cat McKinnell disagrees with Boris

So? Unless Boris performs another u-turn and says 'actually it is hurrah a fact of the disease that it is not readily transmissible between children and adults', that statement, which was used to set the rule of 6 policy in England to include children, will now mean it will have to inform other areas of policy involving children too.

Unless of course he was referring to close, intimate contact in a family setting. Also, there has to be a balance of priorities in any policy decision.

Didn't you know that Boris thinks that children can only pass on Covid or catch it in family of friend contact situations outside of school? Same as adults can't transmit virus to others anywhere where money changes hands according to Boris.

I'm fully expecting the womble to do a trump "oh they are scared of my big brain" no mate I'm fucking terrified because you are your cronies are making no sense whatsoever.

noblegiraffe · 23/09/2020 14:52

Unless of course he was referring to close, intimate contact in a family setting

Oh, does the rule of 6 only apply to that then?

No, didn't think so.

Readily transmissible he said. He will have trouble trying to take that back.

Original poster

NewnameNelly · 23/09/2020 15:10

Yep covid stops right in its tracks outside all school gates, didn't you know that? 🙄

OP posts:

MiniTheMinx · 23/09/2020 15:11

Readily transmissible he said. He will have trouble trying to take that back indeed, but invariably will if and when test and trace could be used to provide proof that teachers are falling ill precisely because they have been placed at greater risk. I can not believe that people will follow the rule of 6 or indeed any rule implemented by this lieing morally bankrupt government.

I find it astonishing that people are hanging on the words of a known liar and charleton, and a man who in every prepared speech speaks to us all as though we are children. What was it yesterday 'a stitch in time' I feel patronised.

I can't believe parents were demanding schools reopen based on his assertions and how people were blaming the unions and teachers for simply having foresight.

HazelE123 · 23/09/2020 15:31

@NewnameNelly

It appears that way, does it? I wonder who they think taught them at Eton?

They only hate state school teachers!

OpheliasCrayon · 23/09/2020 15:50

@NewnameNelly

Yep covid stops right in its tracks outside all school gates, didn't you know that? 🙄

Even if it did get through the gate... It can't permeate classroom doors.... They're different

SaltyAndFresh · 23/09/2020 16:08

@Dee1975

Ok so I’ll prob get a bit of stick for this. But not all schools are struggling to understand and implement the health and safety aspects. Schools want the heads to be in charge. But then moan it’s the governments fault?

How is this helpful to teachers on the ground? Apart from making our objections known, we have little influence. There is far too much room for interpretation in the guidance, largely because of the reliance on the conditional 'where possible'. Heads who are more concerned about results aren't going to keep pupils in zones because they want year 11 on those science labs, technology rooms and computer suites that would otherwise be inaccessible (and they have a very good reason for doing so).

KenDodd · 23/09/2020 16:10

The only person I can think of that Boris hasn't failed is Putin.

LastGoldenDaysOfSummer · 23/09/2020 16:28

Teachers and TAs should not be expected to clean toilets. It's an unnecessary additional risk.

RepeatSwan · 23/09/2020 16:35

@KenDodd

The only person I can think of that Boris hasn't failed is Putin.

I think also Dido Harding?

Itisasecret · 23/09/2020 17:04

Another bubble popped today, that’s half of my children’s school home. This is not education and it’s certainly not teaching. People banging on about it on Mumsnet are mistaking childcare for education.

I can already see the anger from some posters on this board today that bubbles have popped. Well guess what, this is what will happen; in, out, in, out. Schools aren’t safe, the virus will spread in those circumstances and without testing you can’t prove it. Children are going to be in and out all winter because schools have been failed.

groovejet · 23/09/2020 18:29

Completely agree with you as it is ridiculous that everywhere else requires masks yet schools are exempt unless the head decides otherwise.

The school I work in has not even approved masks to be worn by pupils in communal areas let alone in lessons, more needs to be done and I feel sorry for all the teachers, so many of them look completely stressed out.

Howslifenow · 23/09/2020 19:38

Most of the posts on MN are not very receptive to people saying schools are not safe. Still no correlation with the rising number of cases 6180 today. The government can let us know how many schools have Covid. Wales and NI have released this data.

alwayslosing · 23/09/2020 19:47

I don't think teachers are alone or unique in this situation, and I'm sorry you feel so let down. Tests are hard to get for everyone and that is incredibly frustrating.
I do think we need to balance our respective risks though and take into account the emotional/psychological impact PPE wearing can have on children alongside the anxiety this may cause some individual adults/professionals.
You could very well catch it in a supermarket or other public space, we just all have to muck in and be vigilant with all the other measures and that's the best we can do.

That ☝️

deflationexasperation · 23/09/2020 19:49

I agree that on the ground its left too open to interpretation. What if the head gets cold easily or doesn't want to waste heat and have windows closed?

Where I am there is a very good health and safety team, really good.
However the reality, in a classroom is students confused, constant mis information, coughs no attempt to catch sneezes, Windows shut, doors that could be open shut...

deflationexasperation · 23/09/2020 19:51

Re risk, its rare at the moment to literally have to face around 30 mouths all breathing at you. With no protection between their breath and you.

MorvaanReed · 23/09/2020 19:54

@NSA2103

I accept that the school should provide PPE, or government provides schools with PPE.

But meantime, if you feel that strongly about it, why not get or make your own?

I'm currently bringing in my own mask (which I am only allowed to wear when cleaning, not when working with the children - it's a Primary School), I bring my own hand gel and dettol wipes. There is no funding for extra cleaning supplies or time.

All of which may or may not help - the mask is probably pointless, but the main issues are people vs available space and ventilation.

We don't have enough staff to keep the children in their bubbles all day.

alwayslosing · 23/09/2020 19:58

Omg get over yourselves!

You opted for a career that involves teaching a classroom full of children just as the doctors /nurses have opted for a career that involves taking care of the sick.

Why do you think you are above the rest of the population? Why do you think you need special treatment?

We are all in the same boat unfortunately.
I work for a company that couldn't care less about social distancing...masks are not worn etc. When BJ said we should work from home the management came down and said: nobody will work from home. If you don't like it you can leave or take unpaid holiday. Now all the roles in the office can be done from home however they choose to keep us as sardines in a tin.

What can be done about it? Nothing ... because In these uncertain times I need my job.

Now you are all complaining about PPE! Please if you are so nervous about catching this virus either stay at home or buy your own. Why do you need to rely on the gov to take care of each and any one of you individually?

The children need education and interaction with other children. It's unhealthy for them to stay away from education any longer.

Instead of complaining do what you chose to do at the beginning of your career and help these children get through it.

RepeatSwan · 23/09/2020 20:01

@alwayslosing