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Original poster

If it's OK for teachers to have to carry on working....

256 replies

jomartin281271 · 31/10/2020 20:40

If it's OK for teachers to have to carry on working, why isn't it OK for MPs to go back to Parliament and work no PPE and no social distancing? These MPs know how dangerous it is out there and there's no way they'll put themselves in danger, but they're quite happy to throw teachers under the bus. And by the way, I'm not a teacher, I'm an appalled parent.

OP posts:
commandatori · 31/10/2020 21:18

Well it’s like I say to my children - it’s necessary for you to be in class together sitting next to each other because you need an education, but it’s not necessary for you to hug each other and breathe directly in each other’s faces in the playground (they still do).
Some things are necessary and therefore risks have to be taken. I do find it hard that I have to be in class with that level of exposure and yet can’t see my family but ultimately it’s necessary for society for me to be teaching and not necessary for me to see my loved ones.

commandatori · 31/10/2020 21:19

By “my children” I mean my class haha obviously they’re not actually mine, I don’t have DC

Hesma · 31/10/2020 21:20

er...teachers CAN stay at home!! of course they can, they did!!

I didn't... worked all through last lockdown looking after key worker and vulnerable kids

user1471530109 · 31/10/2020 21:23

@Waxonwaxoff0 why are you working without Ppe? Surely the bastard government haven't said you're particular job can't be done in PPE like teaching?

I'm sorry if we are boring you. This lockdown is pointless. All these arguments about saving the economy and jobs. If we don't go to online or blended learning, numbers will continue to rise and the economy will be shut for longer. Schools have been preparing for online and blended learning. This will not be a repeat of March (which btw lots of us worked our socks off, although I admit some could have done a lot more).
If it is announced we are all in PPE, I suspect all us 'moaners' will stop filling up your active convos page Angry

RigaBalsam · 31/10/2020 21:23

@HokeyWokey

I'm not a teacher. I still have to work.
As did I. It isn't the working as we would be working still. Obviously!

It just seems crazy looking at the increase in cases particularly in secondaries that they would allow 10 million people to mix in close contact.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 31/10/2020 21:25

@user1471530109 we are allowed to wear it to be fair but it's not mandatory. Most people are choosing not to. We are supposed to social distance but again not many people are adhering. Someone tested positive for Covid after coming into work knowing they had symptoms and then passed it on. Angry

Cupcakegirl13 · 31/10/2020 21:26

These types of posts placing teachers on a pedestal really annoy me . Millions of people in a variety of professions worked through the first lockdown and will do so through this one , build a bridge and get over it. Teachers are not a specially protected breed.

Ohdoleavemealone · 31/10/2020 21:26

er...teachers CAN stay at home!! of course they can, they did!

Yep. I stayed at home nagging my students who did absolutely nothing! In September we had to start again because they remembered so little.

A very effective plan!

Viciouslybashed · 31/10/2020 21:28

Something needs to be done about the school transmission rate. Why is it being ignored. I don't understand.

user1471530109 · 31/10/2020 21:29

But being 'allowed to' isn't enough. I'm ' allowed to'. When we first went back,pads of kids were wearing masks. By end of first week this had dwindled. I was horrified as a science teacher in the week before half term that I had to teach to all my classes (including top set yr 11 Hmm) what asymptomatic meant. These kids have no idea what is going on. To expect them to wear a mask off their own bat is ridiculous.

Eng123 · 31/10/2020 21:30

Look, I want my childs education to continue and that is something that I consider worth paying for in terms of risk and economic disruption. Foe goodness sake stop harping o trying to get schools closed.

Redlocks30 · 31/10/2020 21:30

@Cupcakegirl13

These types of posts placing teachers on a pedestal really annoy me . Millions of people in a variety of professions worked through the first lockdown and will do so through this one , build a bridge and get over it. Teachers are not a specially protected breed.
I don’t know a single other person who is working as normal in small unventilated rooms, with large numbers of people, unable to socially distance and not allowed a mask.
ShatnersBaboon · 31/10/2020 21:31

It's fairly shit for everyone who can't work at home. Teachers can wear a mask and maintain a 1m distance from others if they choose to, just like shop workers, bus drivers, social workers, bank clerks...

RigaBalsam · 31/10/2020 21:31

@Cupcakegirl13

These types of posts placing teachers on a pedestal really annoy me . Millions of people in a variety of professions worked through the first lockdown and will do so through this one , build a bridge and get over it. Teachers are not a specially protected breed.
It's not about working as lots of teachers did. It's about having the same hands, face , SPACE as everyone else.
Loshad · 31/10/2020 21:32

@1stV45
It’s nothing to do with how lucky we are.
I love my job, but luck plays no part in any of it. I work my arse off in and out of school. When i converted to teaching from a previous career about 15 years ago I worked my arse off to become a good teacher, despite having extensive lecturing experience from the uni sector.
It’s not lucky now to stand in front of 375 different kids every week without being permitted to wear a mask.
I worked all through lockdown last time, in school over Easter and may half term, as well as term time, also doing video lessons, one to ones with my tutor group and later on f2f with y10 and 12.
I earn considerably less than i would earn in many other sectors, despite my degree, PhD and PGCE, part of that is due to the job security. I chose to teach, others chose to go into much higher paid sectors, with the knowledge that job security was less.
As I said above, I really love my job, but lucky, no.

user1471530109 · 31/10/2020 21:32

I am so sick of hearing 'i work out of the home and have no choice'
No. But you are wearing PPE or are SD. Not only am I in a room full of potentially 30+ asymptomatic shedders, but I am also clinically vulnerable and have just been told by BoJo that I haven't a leg to stand on. But thanks for your dedication Angry

c24680 · 31/10/2020 21:32

You're responsible for your own safety, wear ppe, hand sanitise regularly, open windows etc.

Closing schools isn't the right answer, home schooling didn't go well last time especially if the parents have a full time job.

Kids need to be in school for their own mental health and well-being, it's also a safe zone for some!

A lot of people can't afford to have their kids home the entire year either. There's a lot of things to think about before saying let's home school again!

And to be honest, I'd be grateful to have a job that's secure under the current circumstances!

user1471530109 · 31/10/2020 21:33

@ShatnersBaboon what you mean with all the public wearing mandatory masks.

Give me fucking strength! How fucking hard is it for people to understand this?!

CraftyGin · 31/10/2020 21:35

@jomartin281271

If it's OK for teachers to have to carry on working, why isn't it OK for MPs to go back to Parliament and work no PPE and no social distancing? These MPs know how dangerous it is out there and there's no way they'll put themselves in danger, but they're quite happy to throw teachers under the bus. And by the way, I'm not a teacher, I'm an appalled parent.
These two groups aren’t really comparable.

My MP goes into parliament but that is from a constituency 10 miles away. Most MPs are not close to London, and having them commute adds its risks. It’s important that they spend time in their constituencies for surgeries, so not really an option to move permanently to London. They can do a fairly decent job via video link.

Teaching can be done via video link (as I did in the summer term) but it is not as good as face to face.

ShatnersBaboon · 31/10/2020 21:35

[quote user1471530109]@ShatnersBaboon what you mean with all the public wearing mandatory masks.

Give me fucking strength! How fucking hard is it for people to understand this?![/quote]
Not all the public - children don't wear masks, remember.

user1471530109 · 31/10/2020 21:35

@c24680

You're responsible for your own safety, wear ppe, hand sanitise regularly, open windows etc.

Closing schools isn't the right answer, home schooling didn't go well last time especially if the parents have a full time job.

Kids need to be in school for their own mental health and well-being, it's also a safe zone for some!

A lot of people can't afford to have their kids home the entire year either. There's a lot of things to think about before saying let's home school again!

And to be honest, I'd be grateful to have a job that's secure under the current circumstances!

But why not back your DC teachers by insisting that everyone is wearing a mask? Are we that low down the list?
starfish4 · 31/10/2020 21:35

I have two keyworker jobs. One is fantastic in terms of ppe, social distancing, regular disinfection and support, the other at a school with no ppe, no social distancing with students or staff, limited santizer let alone cleaning - it's appalling. There are no words.

1stV45 · 31/10/2020 21:36

[quote Loshad]@1stV45
It’s nothing to do with how lucky we are.
I love my job, but luck plays no part in any of it. I work my arse off in and out of school. When i converted to teaching from a previous career about 15 years ago I worked my arse off to become a good teacher, despite having extensive lecturing experience from the uni sector.
It’s not lucky now to stand in front of 375 different kids every week without being permitted to wear a mask.
I worked all through lockdown last time, in school over Easter and may half term, as well as term time, also doing video lessons, one to ones with my tutor group and later on f2f with y10 and 12.
I earn considerably less than i would earn in many other sectors, despite my degree, PhD and PGCE, part of that is due to the job security. I chose to teach, others chose to go into much higher paid sectors, with the knowledge that job security was less.
As I said above, I really love my job, but lucky, no.[/quote]
Not fortunate compared to all the people on SSP when they isolate, all the people who had to manage on 80% and now face no job at all?

Redlocks30 · 31/10/2020 21:36

@ShatnersBaboon

It's fairly shit for everyone who can't work at home. Teachers can wear a mask and maintain a 1m distance from others if they choose to, just like shop workers, bus drivers, social workers, bank clerks...
This is the guidance. We are told they are to be actively avoided.

Why is the government guidance not saying staff should be wearing masks?

Why doesn’t it say that where social distancing isn’t possible, staff should be positively encouraged to wear masks?

If it's OK for teachers to have to carry on working....
HokeyWokey · 31/10/2020 21:36

@starrynight19

I'm not a teacher. I still have to work.

So does my dp and he did all the way through in an office with very few people.

Are you in a tiny room of 30+ people without any ppe / social distancing ?

No but I come into contact with members of the public all day every day. I have to use public transport to get there.