AIBU to say enough now?

[Enoughnowstop]

I am not sure I can take any more.

I am a single parent. I am over 50. My children depend on me to bring in a wage and keep a roof over our heads. One of my children is a type 1 diabetic and as such, vulnerable to this virus. I am without support as my parents are dead and I am an only child. I am a teacher and a good one. I love my job. I want to be in the classroom and I want to be supportive of the students I work with.

I have read thread after thread on here in the last 24 hours with people looking to find loopholes or claim to just use 'common sense' so that, for the sake of their mental health, they can get through the next 4 weeks. People who have every intention of meeting up with others, even if it is 'just' outside. People who want their children in school because they can't possibly cope with their children at home in lockdown and what about their rights to an education, a future and their mental health.

I have spent an hour this morning quietly sobbing in my room whilst reading this shit. The utter lack of social responsibility and refusal to see a bigger picture. Not one fuck given about either the physical or mental health of every single person now working in key positions knowing that potentially, things are worse than they were 7 months or so ago. When you want to push your child in the pram and don't see why meeting up with someone else pushing their child in a pram, despite the rules being 2 people not 4 people but it's OK because your mental health can't take any more, maybe just give a thought to those of us who are cramming ourselves into small rooms without ventilation with 32 people who refuse to wear masks because they're exempt and who are transmitting the virus with few.....statistics suggest that there will be anywhere between 5 and 50 students in my school tomorrow who will have that virus. A russian roulette of whether or not I will end up in a room with one of them. I mean how could we be anything but mentally unhealthy knowing full well that tomorrow might be the day we contract this virus and our lives change forever? Who is protecting the mental and physical health of keyworkers? Does anyone actually care about the mental and physical health of keyworkers?

Maybe just start thinking about the mental health of every single person and every single person's right to life and our children's right to have a physically and mentally well parent, capable of meeting their needs.

And please, feel free to professionally insult me some more, becuase that's what always happens on these threads, tell me we don't need teachers like you and if you're that bothered, get another job there are thousands of unemployed just waiting in the wings to take over. Well, no, you can't do without me and my colleagues, our experience, our skills, our professionalism. Just as you can't do without the medical professionals who are facing dealing with this shit again because your right to mental health negates our right to both physical and mental health.

Your rights don't usurp mine. I don't have much faith in this government, but they are what they are. They are making the rules. Follow them. Remember you are not the only one struggling. Be grateful that you're not the one doing the keyworking and be supportive of those of us who are by remembering we also have a right to be physically and mentally healthy. There is balance required. For all of us. We all have a right to a future. Let's make sure those who's future is taken from them in this pandemic number as few, not as many, as possible.

As for me, I think my resignation is on the cards. I think anything at all is better than this.

I understand OP , don’t resign if it’s an option to be signed off sick though. If you can get a few weeks signed off on mental health grounds the schools will probably be shut again by the time you are due to return.

No need to resign ... contact your medical team for support and if needed time off work.

When you want to push your child in the pram and don't see why meeting up with someone else pushing their child in a pram, despite the rules being 2 people not 4 people but it's OK because your mental health can't take any more

I see... so your mental health is worth protecting, but everyone else in general, and new Mums in particular, can go fuck themselves?

@AngeloMysterioso

When you want to push your child in the pram and don't see why meeting up with someone else pushing their child in a pram, despite the rules being 2 people not 4 people but it's OK because your mental health can't take any more

I see... so your mental health is worth protecting, but everyone else in general, and new Mums in particular, can go fuck themselves?

Two new mums can meet with their babies outdoors within the rules

[quote SheepandCow]@SeverusSnape1
Can you explain why you think you know more than the majority of experts (worldwide)? I'm curious.

The experts (and evidence) show clearly that it is failed containment that causes economic damage - and also has terrible impact on mental health.

You will have seen, presumably, the article linked earlier writing of the large numbers of traumatised ICU nurses.

Then we have bereavement - which can trigger suicide especially if the loved one is lost in traumatic circumstances. Many people will be facing bereavement with failed containment.

That said, non effective lockdown is a pointless hardship. As Professor Sridhar explains, we need border restrictions so that we stop importing Covid.[/quote]
I have seen interview with many, many experts who explain it's the lockdown that causes economic damage and terrible impact on mental health.

Agree with you on border restrictions.

@NeverTwerkNaked

It you are genuinely at breaking point I suggest speaking to a doctor. But the fact you are breaking doesn't mean others aren't too, for all sorts of reasons.

Exactly

thewitchesofprestwick I know, that wasn’t really the point I was making

I’m a teacher too @Enoughnowstop

In Scotland from tomorrow senior students plus teachers need to wear a mask. Is that an option for you? I reckon BJ will make it a rule soon enough, he always seems to follow Nicola Sturgeon!

I have an issue with ventilation in one of my rooms and I complained to health and safety. They are going to try and free up the windows. Is that an option for you?

I would lastly just stay away from social media. The majority of people are following the rules. I do understand why young mums want snd need to meet up with a friend for a walk. The babies really don’t count in the numbers! Everyone is struggling in their own way. 💗

@notangelinajolie

I'm with you OP. Teachers are being thrown into a Covidfest swamp of non mask wearing germ carriers every day. At least workers in the NHS and other front line jobs get to work in an environment of people wearing masks. It is a national disgrace.

Oh FFS!! You have no clue at all!!!

Don’t insult the hospital staff. Having to read messages out over txt to people’s relatives because they don’t want to be at risk and out their own small children at risk. Do you know how traumatic that is to experience people saying GOODBYE over a read out txt from the nursing staff 💔 not to mention being in a small room doing personal cares with a positive deceased person.

You wouldn’t last 5mins. Disgusting and you think a flimsy blue mask from B&M cuts it 🤣🤣

Wish there was a like button OP.

People need to be more socially responsible.
There is an aspect of this soetiation which is being perpetuated by people refusing to accept that responsibility. Not wearing a mask, not due to genuine exemption but because they dont want to, or removing it at every possible opportinity, meeting with friends, Family etc. in groups all the time and even brazenly posting it on SM. Parties, even raves. They may feel immune but their actions affect others.
This reminds me of the supermarket trolley test. If there was no coin to retrieve and no one to see, who would return the trolley vs leaving it where it was. The test of social responsibility.
We are seeing it played out. Where people see no consequence they do not act. Its a really sad indictment on society. Not understanfing society is about mree than hust them, ormaybejust not caring enough.

Sadly OP there’s an awful lot of dickheads on here and in life who are unable to see the bigger picture from their overinflated egos and big heads. Try not to let it get you down though.

karma has a way of seeking out those who test it.

@Ilovecheese53 thank you for all that you do

@Goingdooolally your welcome

OP I get your frustration and anger: I work in a school as well with no option of leaving and feel like collateral damage. However, I’m angry at the government for having a ‘lockdown’ but keeping schools open and still expecting a lot of people to go out to work.
I don’t think I know anyone who gets to work from home.
My over 60 mum has recently got Covid and she works in full PPE.
I feel like Bojo is turning us all against each other by saying it’s not ok to socialise but it is to work. Of course people are going to break these rules they are pissed off, scared and have lost faith in the system. What the hell is the point of a lockdown with open schools. We’ve had ten plus cases and still open. It’s now thoroughly in our community. It’s insane.

You wouldn’t last 5mins. Disgusting and you think a flimsy blue mask from B&M cuts it

The poster was making a point about basic PPE for teachers that health workers get, not the ins and outs of your job.

Agree with your post 100% OP

I’m sorry you’re struggling op. It sounds like you are at the end of your tether with the situation.
I find the ‘them and us’ attitude really unhelpful. It’s really not a case that all keyworkers are law abiding saints adhering to the rules and non keyworkers don’t give a shit and are breaking all the rules.

I am in tier 3
I am friends with a single teacher who has decided she will have three bubbles because she doesn’t think it’s fair she has to choose between Mum, sister and friend (another teacher). A physio who ‘does her own risk assessments’ and sees her Mum and a few friends. A teacher and nurse couple who get his parents to babysit while they go out for dinner, a nursery assistant who sees her mum, sister, friends.

I also know of non-keyworkers breaking the rules in other ways - someone who started a new relationship during lockdown, that same person makes multiple ‘bubbles’, someone who worked a few days when they should have been quarantining after return from holiday as they are self employed and would have lost the work.....

Plenty of people breaking the rules in both the keyworker and non keyworker camp. Plenty of people sticking to the rules in both camps

@1Morewineplease

I hear you. I'm just a TA but my husband is vulnerable and in his 60s. All the children are facing you so that you have 30+ children's breath plumes hurtling towards you. And you have no mask or PPE. I work with 5-6 year olds. They want cuddles, they forget to cover their mouths when they cough and sneeze. You have to get up close and personal when they've injured themselves. I'm counting my days til I or my husband gets Covid. Despite hand sanitising by the children or me, I still got a stinking cold in September, as did quite a few children and other members of staff. If it was that easy to catch a cold, it'll be just as easy to get Covid.

No-one is 'just' a TA. TAs are essential like teachers. Agree with everything Op has said. Sadly society seems to become increasingly selfish but there are some generous and sensible people out there too. We need hope.

@StillCoughingandLaughing

And please, feel free to professionally insult me some more, becuase that's what always happens on these threads, tell me we don't need teachers like you and if you're that bothered, get another job there are thousands of unemployed just waiting in the wings to take over. Well, no, you can't do without me and my colleagues, our experience, our skills, our professionalism. Just as you can't do without the medical professionals who are facing dealing with this shit again because your right to mental health negates our right to both physical and mental health.

So before anyone responds, you’re deciding everyone is against you? Not the best way to get people on side.

I’m not entirely sure what your argument is. Are you saying that schools should close? Or that the rest of us should grind to a halt because schools are open?

Wow! Why the need to be aggressive? The op was quite clear - asking others to stick to the rules.

Were anxious in nurseries so heaven knows what it’s like in schools.

I’m so sorry.

When you want to push your child in the pram and don't see why meeting up with someone else pushing their child in a pram, despite the rules being 2 people not 4 people but it's OK because your mental health can't take any more

This is why I voted YABU. It doesn’t matter that we’ve now clarified this is within the rules. OP clearly thinks this is awful behaviour, but are mothers of young babies meant to do? Leave their baby at home if they want to have any social contact at all. It makes no sense, babies that young are very unlikely to go anywhere without their mother, they pose no extra risk. So both by the rules and by common sense what the OP is so scathing about is fine. But yeah, fuck those new mums and their selfish desire for social contact.

Having a baby in lockdown is hard. Not because you can’t go to mummy groups or go to Costa with mummy friends, but because maternity and particularly postnatal care has been severely affected by Covid. No partner support at scans, during induction, after birth. No health visiting. Maternal mental health has taken a massive back seat. Along with many other issues already outlined (e.g. maternal mental health, cancer care and screening).

I absolutely agree that teachers are being shafted and it’s unacceptable. It doesn’t preclude other people having a difficult time. Focus on the actual issue which is the incredible lack of care for teacher safety, don’t get side tracked by what other people are doing. Everybody matters.

sorry, (e.g. general mental health, cancer care and screening

It's interesting that many of the people saying "I can't take it any more" solution is to lock the vulnerable down so everyone else can get on.
No thought that the vulnerable, who have been living in often a far harder version of lockdown than the average person will then have to stay in total lockdown for far longer.
No empathy at all there.