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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:
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EndoplasmicReticulum · 22/12/2020 17:03

The news articles aren't joining the dots because they think all secondary classes have three students in them?
School bus with one student?
Corridor "full" of 8 students?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-55413656

Meanwhile, France said the lateral flow tests aren't good enough for letting hauliers back over the channel. Care homes don't want them as they are certainly not accurate enough to allow visitors to the vulnerable. They're not good enough for test centres.
But are apparently good enough to send you into a packed classroom with no mask?

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum · 22/12/2020 17:04

Our secondary has emailed to tell parents that the accuracy of these tests os not great. So to get the kids tested at the test centre (which use the more accurate one) before school starts back in January.

Also they are not sure the testing will go ahead at school now and are waiting for more information.

RedToothBrush · 22/12/2020 17:05

So a quiet u-turn in all the new strain drama overall lateral tests which were supposed to be their magic bullet solution. (At the same time they are arguing with France over which tests lorry drivers in Dover should be tested with - we said lateral flow, they said no...).

And we also have talk that the schools will not be reopening....

...it suggests to me, that somewhere in there a decision has been made that lateral flows in schools isn't an option and that there isn't much alternative to a closure...

Interesting.

SantaAssociationRepresentitve · 22/12/2020 17:16

If it is lateral flow test - don’t bother

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/22/plans-for-30-minute-covid-lateral-flow-tests-in-england-halted-over-accuracy-fears

WhoWants2Know · 22/12/2020 17:29

Did they really think enough parents would agree to the testing to make the whole program worthwhile? It sounds as though it would make schools less safe instead of more.

EndoplasmicReticulum · 22/12/2020 17:49

WhoWants they were keeping the accuracy of the tests very quiet.
The headline "Mass Testing in Schools" - sounds like a good idea (ignoring the massive logistical problems).

"Testing instead of isolation with tests that may only catch 50% of positive cases" is a bit of a harder sell.

But things have moved on quickly anyway - all this was back in the mists of time of last week before the new extra-spready version was fully known about.

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum · 22/12/2020 17:54

The extra- spready version Grin

RedToothBrush · 22/12/2020 18:35

Just been reminded by something said on another thread.

Cummings after stepping now was still working at home working his month's notice on his most recent pet project which he had been working on a great deal in the run up to him being asked to leave. He was asked to leave on 14th November.

His most recent pet project?

Lateral Flow Testing...

(checks current date)

Achristmaspudsskidu · 22/12/2020 18:36

@RedToothBrush

Just been reminded by something said on another thread.

Cummings after stepping now was still working at home working his month's notice on his most recent pet project which he had been working on a great deal in the run up to him being asked to leave. He was asked to leave on 14th November.

His most recent pet project?

Lateral Flow Testing...

(checks current date)

Nooooo, is that true??
TheHoneyBadger · 22/12/2020 18:46

They are grubby little fuckers. Absolutely they were trying to palm off shit tests - you can bet we weren't getting a look at them when they thought they were fit for purpose - once they couldn't use them anywhere else schools could have them.

No thanks.

Whattimeisdinner · 22/12/2020 18:48

Impressed at the SLT saying for teachers to have a break.
I think the general feeling was WtF...That will not be happening any time soon.

TheHoneyBadger · 22/12/2020 18:49

Also it's a bit like school age kids are second class citizens. Can't use the specialised test centres or clog up the test and trace system of 'real' people (ie workers and tax payers presumably). Instead they're meant to make do with volunteers in the school and a load of knock off tests that no one else wants.

Why would people accept so little for their children?

Whattimeisdinner · 22/12/2020 18:55

Achristmaspud

This?

Tuesday November 17 2020, 9.00am,
The Times

‘Screening experts have expressed alarm over the government’s Operation Moonshot plans for mass testing, warning it is likely to result in thousands of false positive and false negative results.

The plans, which could cost an estimated £100 billion and are being led by Dominic Cummings, the prime minister’s outgoing special adviser, have been developed without scrutiny from the National Screening Committee, they revealed.

At a briefing yesterday, scientists with up to 35 years’ experience in the field said that there would be 400,000 false positives if 60 million Britons were screened in the run-up to Christmas.

Incorrect negative tests could lead to the spread of the virus by people who were falsely reassured and took fewer precautions, they warned’

I can’t read the rest. I don’t subscribe to The Times...

Whattimeisdinner · 22/12/2020 18:57

So Cummings was asked to FOff in the 14th... The news about the crap tests broke on the 17th.

TheHoneyBadger · 22/12/2020 18:58

Yep I think this latest last minute and clearly totally impossible demand was the final straw.

Many Heads have been jumping through hoops and making things work and scrapping plans and re-writing plans with every crazy change in guidance throughout this.

Should imagine many Heads are at the this far and no further line in the sand now. The government has showed complete and utter contempt for schools.

TheHoneyBadger · 22/12/2020 19:00

led by Dominic Cummings, the prime minister’s outgoing special adviser, have been developed without scrutiny from the National Screening Committee, they revealed

Good job we live in relatively civilised times. Heads would be on spikes otherwise.

Piggyinblankets · 22/12/2020 19:00

Typical Times to focus first on the false negatives!

stairway · 22/12/2020 19:00

NHS workers get the lateral flow tests as well though, they’re better then nothing and have picked up some asymptomatic cases.

Piggyinblankets · 22/12/2020 19:01

honey it has also been confirmed that school 'test centres' don't need to be the 'gold standard' of university testing stations.

TheHoneyBadger · 22/12/2020 19:02

Why does anyone think 'better than nothing' is ok? £22billion has been put into test and trace. £22 billion.

Piggyinblankets · 22/12/2020 19:03

Not instead of SI if you have been in close contact though stairway.

Whattimeisdinner · 22/12/2020 19:04

Honeybadger
Yes... the stockpile of crap, inaccurate tests which were bought by DC... What shall we do with them? Oh, nobody will know... let’s spin it and use them on school children...

TheHoneyBadger · 22/12/2020 19:05

@Piggyinblankets

honey it has also been confirmed that school 'test centres' don't need to be the 'gold standard' of university testing stations.
Yeah and why?

Perhaps from their privileged perspective people who can't afford to privately educate but still go ahead and breed should take what they're bloody given for their sponging sprogs!?

Why does the electorate go along with it though? Do we have a doff your cap culture?

stairway · 22/12/2020 19:07

I agree not instead of SI, but the lateral flow tests are better than nothing, it isn’t ok but I’m not sure if there is the lab space available for mass asymptomatic testing -have to be realistic. Am I happy with the governments covid response- nope!

Whattimeisdinner · 22/12/2020 19:08

At least there will be a ‘documentary’ exposing this f’ing scandal ... in 2/3 f’ing years time... 😡🤬