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The government wants YOU to volunteer as a school covid tester

716 replies

noelgiraffe · 15/12/2020 23:42

The govt have proudly announced that there will be mass testing in secondary schools, colleges and special schools from January.

What the headlines don’t quite convey is that schools will be expected to set up and man their own testing centres and that this make-shift testing of close contacts of positives will replace close contacts having to isolate. The tests pick up about 50% of positive cases so I’m sure this will be fine.

Covidy kids will be getting the bus to school to queue up and be tested by people who have watched a video and a couple of online worksheets.

Even better, they want those people to be YOU!

“The document says that reasonable costs for additional workforce will be reimbursed.

It adds that a school may want to hire temporary staff, such as agency and contract workers, or draw on volunteers such as parents, retired teachers, Red Cross, St John Ambulance and community organisations.”

If you can’t help in person, perhaps you can support by talking positively about this effort on social media and parenting forums?

“Under a section labelled “social media guidance”, the document reads that “consistent, accurate and positive communication about testing activity is essential”.

They want to see “proactive public social media using agreed materials” and schools are encouraged to “monitor your existing social media channels, parents forums etc. and provide any feedback”.”

Come on folks, do your bit!

schoolsweek.co.uk/7-staff-roles-2-hour-training-and-dhsc-sign-off-on-press-schools-given-mass-testing-instructions/

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
ItsIgginningtolookalotlikeXmas · 16/12/2020 18:55

Health and safety Chloe tinsel is a trip hazard

Pomegranatespompom · 16/12/2020 18:55

Talking to my nhs colleagues today - many of us happy help. Don’t think you’ll want us though with our level of exposure.

ChloeDeckTheHalls · 16/12/2020 18:57

It would have made it too obvious that the kids’ desks were inside it.

At the start of pretty much every KS3 lesson I’ve had to say ‘shuffle back guys’! And the poor loves have to squidge up so close backwards that the kids can see the scalp of the person in front

Pomegranatespompom · 16/12/2020 18:57

Tbh were getting very short staffed so we’ll be queuing extra hours.

Can’t think straight - exhausted !

noelgiraffe · 16/12/2020 18:57

But you and your NHS colleagues already have jobs, pom? How are you picturing it working?

OP posts:
borntobequiet · 16/12/2020 19:00

@noelgiraffe

www.tes.com/news/exclusive-dfe-considering-delay-start-next-term

Is this so we can set up the cottage industry covid lab?

I like the way the picture is of a completely empty classroom, as though children and teachers have socially distanced themselves out of existence.
Pomegranatespompom · 16/12/2020 19:00

As o just said noble - I hadn’t.
I’ve always been happy to help in school where possible.
We’re setting up our vaccine clinics at the moment as well - so yes probably no capacity.

ChloeDeckTheHalls · 16/12/2020 19:01

@Pomegranatespompom

Talking to my nhs colleagues today - many of us happy help. Don’t think you’ll want us though with our level of exposure.
You’ll feel right at home in a classroom then regarding exposure!

Seriously though, it would be wonderful if you are your colleagues did but by the sounds of the current statistics, even the NHS doesn’t have enough staff to do even the vaccines let alone release any for schools.
Sorry state of affairs.

ChloeDeckTheHalls · 16/12/2020 19:06

@ItsIgginningtolookalotlikeXmas

Health and safety Chloe tinsel is a trip hazard
Grin
IloveJKRowling · 16/12/2020 19:06

I read the OP and just thought 'ah, the government is refusing to give any extra money to schools again so their chums can pocket lots of cash'.

I'm just not surprised at the depths they'll sink to anymore.

StaffAssociationRepresentative · 16/12/2020 19:15

@noelgiraffe

www.tes.com/news/exclusive-dfe-considering-delay-start-next-term

Is this so we can set up the cottage industry covid lab?

yeah but no but yeah but no but .... I am still suffering from whiplash from the DfE u-turns earlier in the year. Maybe we could do a class action law suit?
Pomegranatespompom · 16/12/2020 19:17

I offered to do a vaccine talk after DS informed me of some anti vax rumblings at school. Not be taken up yet to the relief of DS.

MitziK · 16/12/2020 19:31

@RoseAndRose

Aren't the tests only allowed to be interpreted by someone with training? Not sure which tests are being sent to schools but I'm sure I read that the general public isn't allowed to judge the result, that's why they do them at rapid test centres instead of posting them to people's houses I think

They are no more complex to read that a home pregnancy test.

The reason results are eyeballed by someone else is to remove the opportunity to cheat. This kind of test produces enough false negatives without giving easy opportunity for people to bury their inconvenient result

Can we set up a Line Eyes - Covid Edition - section in here?

Because reading pregnancy tests seems to be more problematic for many people than I had ever thought possible.

I didn't even get spoken to about this today, even though I'm sure I would be their first thought of who is best placed to do it - training, experience, good relationship with the kids, able to teach others, familiar with infection control, responding to nosebleeds, fainting and all the fucking admin involved.

I don't object to the notion of performing tests in principle - but I'm not entirely certain how I would be able to do the other 56 hours of work that I'm employed to do and is currently crammed into 40 a week as well as the admin, the testing, the first aiding, the handling the fainters, refusers, angry parents who don't want it, angry parents who do, other staff members, fetching people, notifying who has disappeared, cleaning, disposal and doing it all with just a paper mask and a visor to protect me from all 1200 potential vectors of infection.

FiggyPuddingFiend · 16/12/2020 19:44

@Pomegranatespompom

I offered to do a vaccine talk after DS informed me of some anti vax rumblings at school. Not be taken up yet to the relief of DS.
Vaccines are covered on the science curriculum. I've discovered that I teach a load of conspiracy theorists - regarding vaccines, 9/11, moon landings, origins of covid - you name it and if there is a conspiracy theory to go with it my students will know it...
Piggyinblankets · 16/12/2020 19:48

My 19 year old is a proper conspiracy theorist. he comes into the kitchen to lecture me about Hancock and his cronies making money blah blah while at the same time banging on in vaguely Big Pharma tones.. Know your audience , love.

Pomegranatespompom · 16/12/2020 20:01

Ha! Yet to know the joys of secondary school - this is year 5, so must be hearing from parents. I had a rant and it’s now one of the topics feisty topics (we have a few !).

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 16/12/2020 20:06

@HipTightOnions

But some random volunteer should not be doing this.

My school has already put out the call for parent volunteers. It will be interesting to see how many respond.

Interesting. Did they explain how they would get the volunteers DBS checked before January? And did they suggest how much public liability insurance each volunteer should take out? Because, as a health care issue, this is going to be regarded as a regulated activity under safeguarding which requires a DBS check. And as a volunteer not providing an educational activity, it’s unlikely they’ll be covered by the school’s insurance if/when something goes wrong.
StaffAssociationRepresentative · 16/12/2020 20:07

A few of my Year 13s believe the vaccine will be a cause of infertility and spark the end of the human race.

MrsChristmasHamlet · 16/12/2020 20:12

One of my year 12 students is very concerned that I'm in a vaccine trial. Apparently I should be worried about the microchip in my shoulder.

HipTightOnions · 16/12/2020 20:13

I have no idea Judas! The school is quite gung ho about it all.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 16/12/2020 20:16

Maybe don’t volunteer just yet then Hip 😉

TheHoneyBadger · 16/12/2020 20:17

Although occasionally the idea of selective sterilisation is tempting I'm fairly sure you wouldn't target the over 80's if that was your plan.

TheHoneyBadger · 16/12/2020 20:18

And chipping the over 80's wouldn't be very exciting, I'm sure some do lead exciting lives but most of those in nursing homes don't go much further than the toilet and that with company.

TheSunIsStillShining · 16/12/2020 20:31

@FiggyPuddingFiend
As I got to know from my son there are multiple sub reddits on the topic specifically linking said nutjob ramblings to curricula. So they don't have to search too much. I declined the offer to have a read....

Pomegranatespompom · 16/12/2020 20:41

Too funny @hibey badger

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