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Original poster

“Encouraged” to test twice a week - final straw.

117 replies

motherrunner · 10/12/2020 05:50

I have just read an email from my Head where PHE are recommending teachers take twice weekly lateral tests.

This is because:
-1 in 20 asymptomatic people in my city have tested positive
-my school has not been fully open since last week in Sept (we have fully closed on multiple occasions)

I am on my knees with exhaustion and stress. I teach full time, I leave the house at 7.15, drop my children at their breakfast club, work, collect them at 5.30 and then it’s home, tea, bedtimes and then planning/marking. How am I to find the time to go to the test centre twice a week? The email says we it is “voluntary” but we are “encouraged” to do so and focussed a lot on community responsibility etc.

I have slowly felt more undervalued at time from the ‘schools are safe’ propaganda, to ‘stressed teachers want to close a day early at Christmas’ (that’s another headache, my school not closing but my children’s school is). I haven’t seen my mum since March as she is a nursing home and I won’t be seeing any family at all over Christmas due to my job.

Is it unreasonable of me just to say ‘sod it, I’m not having the tests’ or is that irresponsible?

OP posts:
Bufferingkisses · 10/12/2020 05:56

Lateral flow tests are usually done with a kit at home. Takes about 2 minutes to do and you leave it to "brew" for 30 minutes then get a result. No need to go to a test center AFAIK?

BefuddledPerson · 10/12/2020 05:57

I'm so sorry you're exhausted - it is not surprising! Teachers have worked so hard.

My feeling is it'll make you school a bit safer, which will help all the teachers, so probably a good idea to do it.

Brew for you.

Original poster
motherrunner · 10/12/2020 05:58

We have a test centre set up in the city. It is open from 7-7 everyday and it’s a queue service. We have been directed there.

OP posts:
blackcat86 · 10/12/2020 06:00

I totally get the stressed to the max already element. A lot of people feel like that (I'm in ss) and are reconsidering their long term career options. My boss mentioned we may be redeployed to care homes where staff are too ill (or deceased) to run. Apparently I would be equally expected to participate with that good old community responsibility described despite me having been in the initial shielding group. The whole thing has been poorly managed. See what it actually involves and do what you can because testing is important but I totally see why you feel like that.

Athinginitself · 10/12/2020 06:02

I think you just need to do what you can manage and it feels like the testing is a step too far. If work gives you time out to go and have one then fine, but its unfair to expect you to do anymore. We've all got our limits! They are not very reliable anyway, I know someone who has covid (very symptomatic) has had a positive pcr but 4 negative lateral flow tests. Flowers

HotelliFinlandia · 10/12/2020 06:02

What a nightmare.

Wouldn't it make more sense for the head to arrange (can it be done?) for someone to come on site to test staff twice a week rather than you guys clogging up the test centre?

Original poster
motherrunner · 10/12/2020 06:06

Thank you for the supportive comments. Was debating whether to post as was thinking am I just whining?

I am not adverse to the testing - have taken a test as was ill a few weeks back (negative). It’s just the thought of the logistics. DH arrives home at 6, that gives me an hour to drive to the test centre, queue up and take it. The thought of that after a day at work is already making me tear up. I’m not sure I have the energy and I know that sounds pathetic.

OP posts:
surlycurly · 10/12/2020 06:07

Fellow teacher here. I'd be exactly the same if it was me. I'm on my knees at the moment and I've spent two days crying after the announcement about the cancellation of our exams (Scotland). People have no idea of the workload implications or the stress we are under. One of my senior managers announced we'd have to do another report as a result too and it set me off! I don't know how I can do anymore. I'm not seeing my mum either and I'm a single parent with no other family. This is the hardest year I've ever had. I'd love to leave this 'vocation' I'm trapped in.

Original poster
motherrunner · 10/12/2020 06:07

@HotelliFinlandia

What a nightmare.

Wouldn't it make more sense for the head to arrange (can it be done?) for someone to come on site to test staff twice a week rather than you guys clogging up the test centre?

I don’t know. I could email them and ask whether this is possible. It would certainly my make things easier!
OP posts:
Doyouthinktheysaurus · 10/12/2020 06:24

That's ludicrous to expect you to do it in your own time! If they want to do that it needs to be in their time, not yours.

We are doing lateral flow testing through work (NHS) but I have the testing kit at home and do it twice a week.

No way would I give up my own time to queue for a test twice a week.

I'm sorry you are struggling so much, it's been a tough year💐

Bluetrews25 · 10/12/2020 06:27

NHS trusts are giving out kits to do this at home. Unless this is arranged for you - or anyone - it's far too much to do when you work FT. It's voluntary, so the correct response is 'no thanks'.

DontStopThinkingAboutTomorrow · 10/12/2020 06:37

Just say you can't, you don't have time. It's voluntary AFAIK.
Agree with pp, if they want this, they should facilitate it being on site or at home.

captainpantbeard · 10/12/2020 06:40

FlowersFlowers Not unreasonable in those circumstances. I hope you have a restful Christmas. Teachers have been amazing IMO.

Anon12345678910 · 10/12/2020 06:41

I am teacher @motherrunner who has just caught coronavirus and CV we've just had an outbreak where they've finally shut the school but too late .... YABVU to put your colleagues at risk if you don't take up the opportunity. I'm literally screaming at you internally right now.

isitsnowingyet · 10/12/2020 06:44

Don't do it - it isn't mandatory.

I do them at home twice a week (NHS) and it's easy. If the council/school cares so much, they would give each teacher a little box of lateral flow tests to do at home. Otherwise - no - you can't do it.

Flowers as your job sounds v. stressful

isitsnowingyet · 10/12/2020 06:46

@Anon12345678910 - calm down a bit -

LegoPandemic · 10/12/2020 06:47

Say you’ll do it if it’s hone testing but not at a test centre- then you seem reasonable.

SansaSnark · 10/12/2020 06:48

I'm a teacher, and I would feel the same in your situation. I would test happily if it was made easy for me, but to go and queue up at a test centre twice a week on top of everything else I am doing would potentially be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

I would tell your head that you can't the test centre due to childcare commitments and ask if tests can be provided at school.

upsidedownwavylegs · 10/12/2020 06:49

@Anon12345678910

I am teacher *@motherrunner* who has just caught coronavirus and CV we've just had an outbreak where they've finally shut the school but too late .... YABVU to put your colleagues at risk if you don't take up the opportunity. I'm literally screaming at you internally right now.
She’s not being presented with any opportunity, she’s being told to go to a test centre in her own time on top of her full time job. Twice a week. Maybe save the literal internal screaming til you’ve had a think through who’s being put at risk, and who by.
Possums4evr · 10/12/2020 06:50

It's hardly the OP's fault if the system is not set up to make twice weekly testing accessible for her Hmm while I have every sympathy for the pp who is angry you're directing it at the wrong person.
The friend I have who works in a care home doesn't have to travel anywhere for their weekly test. Teachers expected once again to go "above and beyond" - standing in a queue at a test centre twice a week in a high infection area doesn't sound like a fantastic plan either.
Find out what your union thinks OP - they can press for at home or in school testing

junglepie · 10/12/2020 06:51

I think if PHE want you to test twice a week they need to provide you a box of home tests. I am NHS and have to tast twice a week using the lateral flow tests but we got a box of tests to do at home. I would not be afraid to explain to your head that whilst you would be happy to engage in regular testing you simply are not able to attend a test site twice a week due to the many competing demands on your time currently, but that you would be more than happy to undertake testing when they supply you a box of home tests.

Youreatragedystartingtohappen · 10/12/2020 06:51

@Anon12345678910

I am teacher *@motherrunner* who has just caught coronavirus and CV we've just had an outbreak where they've finally shut the school but too late .... YABVU to put your colleagues at risk if you don't take up the opportunity. I'm literally screaming at you internally right now.
If OP has been maintaining social distancing, following her school guidelines and everything else the school is making mandatory then she's doing everything she needs to.

This is voluntary. Is your home life the same as OP? Because mine is and I know that is my head "advised" me gently or firmly to do the tests I would be telling him where to go.

Don't be mean. I'm sorry you have covid but it doesn't mean that the OP is being unreasonable for not managing to magic up more time and energy to do this latest requests

OP- keep going, the holidays are in sight. Take care of yourself and if you need some more time then take it in the new year. I hear you x

Dozer · 10/12/2020 06:55

Not mandatory, and (with the test centre) difficult to do in and out of work time, so don’t do it!

Bikingbear · 10/12/2020 06:59

@surlycurly

Fellow teacher here. I'd be exactly the same if it was me. I'm on my knees at the moment and I've spent two days crying after the announcement about the cancellation of our exams (Scotland). People have no idea of the workload implications or the stress we are under. One of my senior managers announced we'd have to do another report as a result too and it set me off! I don't know how I can do anymore. I'm not seeing my mum either and I'm a single parent with no other family. This is the hardest year I've ever had. I'd love to leave this 'vocation' I'm trapped in.
Big hugs Flowers SG treatment of teachers has been absolutely shameful l really feel for you. All that work in summer to split schools for blended learning (that was obviously never going to work). Cancelling exams after months of teaching. Shameful.

I hope to God that people remember and vote well in May. Tory and Labour better get their act together.

CatsForLife · 10/12/2020 07:05

Can you agree only on the basis you go in work’s time? I agree that it’s too much to ask. They can’t insist on anything if it’s clearly outside your working hours. It’s up to the school to decide how they will manage staff going to test centres during working hours. I’ve worked throughout the pandemic and while home schooling so not always the first in the sympathy queue for teachers. But you’re right here.