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

[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.

I'm not sure that teachers necessarily want more PPE or the closure of schools but rather a recognition of the challenges that they are facing right now

Many of them do. There is a sensible half way house between full on masks and NOTHING at all.

I'm not sure that teachers necessarily want more PPE

Oh yes they do.

Can MPs work from home? Yes.
Can teachers work from home? Not unless school goes 100% online.
Can bus drivers work from home? No.
Can supermarket staff work from home? No.
Can delivery drivers work from home? No.
See where I'm going with this OP?
Lots of people work among the general public without PPE.

@timeforanewstart I think it should be a choice. I just want the gov. and everyone to acknowledge that teachers are probably one of the highest risk professions, rather than people saying they should get on with it and be grateful they have a job.

@Hercwasonaroll

The reason the GP is wearing PPE etc is because they will definitely come across cases of covid and it is to prevent spreading it to all the other majority of the patients that don't have covid and want to see gp for other things.

Schools are full of covid cases. Asymptomatic spread is rife. Still no PPE for teachers.

Gps won't see anyone with covid symptoms where I am. Wheras I've had a kid in my classroom say "I had a covid test last night". I also had another cough all over me, mum complained and said it was allergies. It wasn't.

This! "Oh give over, Miss" when I said they weren't shutting any of the bloody windows "no one in here has covid" "How do you know? You could be asymptomatic?" "What the hell does that mean?!" A year 11 GCSE student. From an affluent background and in a high set. When I explained as per my job, I was looked at like I was talking bull shit. How do these kids not know that word at this stage?!

All I'm asking is for some PPE. I'd absolutely prefer to be in blended learning.

I'm expecting this lockdown to make no shitting difference and they will.close secondary schools in 3-4 weeks. I'm sure you will all blame us teachers again at that point.

I'm not sure that teachers necessarily want more PPE

My daughter is worried about bringing it home and killing us. She just wants some reasonable basic measures so that she doesn't have to feel so guilty.

@DianaT1969- who works without PPE other than teachers?

@OverTheRainbowLiesOz

I'm not sure that teachers necessarily want more PPE or the closure of schools but rather a recognition of the challenges that they are facing right now

Many of them do. There is a sensible half way house between full on masks and NOTHING at all.

I'm absolutely not arguing that they shouldn't have it, however don't know a single primary colleague who has a chosen to wear a mask when teaching. It should certainly be made available.

Put a mask on then , keep 2 metres distance and wash hands. It's quite simple.

Secondary teachers and all secondary schoolchildren should be wearing masks in corridors when moving about. Other countries do this without a problem.

Stop being so selfish.

The issue is that school staff are not allowed any protection unlike everyone else who is still working.
I repeat. The issue is the lack of any safety precautions for school staff unlike all other workers.
Let me explain. I am a TA. I work in an over crowded room. Poor ventilation (windows do not open). I am in there for 7 hours. No possibility of social distancing. I sit right next to 32 children to hear them read and do interventions. I do first aid (I can only wear gloves for this). I clear away plates/crockery etc after lunch. I hug/comfort children if they are crying. I help them after toilet accidents. No matter how often we wash hands, they are children, and as children do, they put their fingers in their noses and mouths. I do this with no PPE, no one can wear masks.
Shop workers are only in brief contact with customers and can distance and wear masks or if on a till are behind screens. Waitresses are not in prolonged contact, can wear masks as can customers until they eat. Plus I doubt shop workers or waiters wipe noses or hold hands with a customer who has just picked their nose . Care workers can have PPE. Medical staff can have PPE.
The issue is we want protection the same as everyone else. We are not cannon fodder. We are real people who deserve the same protection that everyone else gets.

But primary colleagues, I would argue and I hate doing that as I'm not in their posotion, are not facing the same risks as their secondary colleagues.
The head at my dds' (primary) school actually said she feels sorry for me and it's a travesty. She bought this up, not me! I believe that most of our primary colleagues can see this and back us.

Early years staff have worked right through since March, in a room full of children with zero social distancing for most of the day. And we get paid far less than teachers.

There are plenty of jobs out there that leave the staff at high risk of catching C19 but most of these roles are essential and each staff member needs to weigh up their individual risk factors in relation to their role and either move to a different job, request furlough or make sure they have the necessary safe guards in place from their employer.

@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...

No. No teachers can't wear a mask. They're not 'allowed' to by the governmental advice.

@Yellowshirt

Put a mask on then , keep 2 metres distance and wash hands. It's quite simple.

2m from the front row requires me to be in the classroom next door. I can't wash my hands between lessons because there is no "between lessons". Masks are not currently permitted.

@Yellowshirt

Put a mask on then , keep 2 metres distance and wash hands. It's quite simple.

How are schools going to magic up classrooms big enough for 30 children and the teacher to be 2m apart? My sons classroom is so small the teacher and TA are never more than 1m away from the children. There are two children in the class who are hearing impaired, if the adults wear a mask or visor those children cannot hear them at all.

I agree with you OP!!! I think it's disgusting.. stuff this whole "yeah but we're minimising the risks" tell that to the people dying in ICU.. do you think they and their families understand that their loves ones are being taken but it's ok, because there could've been more

Special School here. Absolutely no possibility of social distancing.. giving personal care, and fending off being bitten and battered on a daily basis.
I'm FINE with doing my job, but it is NOT like other jobs where you can wear masks, CAN keep a metre away... and my class are not capable of the basics of hygiene (poo smearer anyone.. we have to clean them up and to have handwashing..yep we have to be physically helping..)

I live with a nurse, a carer, a supermarket worker. ALL have better PPE than we do...

@Yellowshirt

Put a mask on then , keep 2 metres distance and wash hands. It's quite simple.

Come and do my job then? What are you going to do to get your class to lessons? If you walk 2m behind you, you have another class breathing down your neck. What are you going to do when that kid in the class asks for help? What if they are a vulnerable kid who never normally reaches out for help? ignore them?

I have not read all of thread but someone said teachers are not valued. Morrisons value teachers they are offering all teachers 10 percent discount on shopping from early November until Xmas. All you have to do to get it is take school photo ID to checkout. I got email about it today and wanted to give teachers a shout out. You can't get discount for on line shop though.

Lots of people are going to continue going to work not just teachers. My son works in a factory and he will continue to work as long as people continue to need vehicle parts. They had to continue last lockdown as his factory supplies ambulance parts for NHS vehicles. My other son is a lorry driver and he needs to go to work to get food to hospitals and smaller good shops. DH is immunosuppressed and asthmatic he is lucky he can wfh. He had a letter and had to shelter last time. It is a worry as sons live at home with me and DH. All everyone can do is change clothing and shower after working every day. Keep washing hands. lorry driving son takes antibacterial wipes and hand gel for his lorry and wears his mask when unloading. Son who works in factory washes his hands every 2 hours, no longer has lunch in canteen with colleagues but instead stays in unit and eats packed lunch. It is surely up to each person to keep themselves as safe as possible. Keeping 1 metre apart, opening windows and wearing a mask when possible. Most teachers just get on with it but a few will just not go to work and not just ones with sheltering letter. I am not sure if there will be sheltering letters this time or not. Does anyone know?

Can MPs work from home? Yes. - socially distanced
Can teachers work from home? Not unless school goes 100% online. Masks not permitted in poorly ventilated crowded classrooms
Can bus drivers work from home? No. Masks, screen, social distancing
Can supermarket staff work from home? No. Masks, screens at checkouts, brief contact
Can delivery drivers work from home? No. Masks, social distancing

Secondary teachers and all secondary schoolchildren should be wearing masks in corridors when moving about. Other countries do this without a problem.

W
Other countries also have masks and social distancing in classrooms. Not permitted here. Also masks not permitted in lot of schools in corridors as it is only advised in tier 3 areas. Trying to get down a narrow corridor at lesson change over is like a mosh pit. No masks or social distancing.

Lots of people work among the general public without PPE

Who? Can you name such an occupation?

Put a mask on then , keep 2 metres distance and wash hands. It's quite simple.

Come and see my classroom, then tell me how I can be 2m away. Physically impossible.

Wash my hands when? Break gone due to staggering, too busy running to the next classroom.

The issue is we want protection the same as everyone else. We are not cannon fodder. We are real people who deserve the same protection that everyone else gets.

Exactly. Why are selfish arseholes arguing against basic protection - especially in corridors full of hundreds of older children, all moving about and mixing?