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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 · 23/12/2020 20:51

Although they're not doing the testing in primaries (yet?) are they. So she's probably still isolating.

HateIsNotGood · 23/12/2020 20:52

No problem here - happy to Volunteer.

EndoplasmicReticulum · 23/12/2020 20:58

Maybe read the whole thread first!

HateIsNotGood · 23/12/2020 21:09

Don't need to really Endo - is it different to every other thread? Save me reading through 29 pages so please give me a reason why I shouldn't be willing to Volunteer and I'll be as happy and willing to read it too.

Many Thanks
HING

Piggyinblankets · 23/12/2020 21:13

You will be volunteering for something that is massively unreliable so that children and staff can be kept in school, possibly having thrown up a false negative so that the government can turn around school attendance statistics and put children and adults at school (and families) in more danger by ending self isolation.

FiggyPuddingFiend · 23/12/2020 21:28

So under these rules, say I as a teacher have a household member with covid. I agree to be tested every day and keep coming up negative (by these massively unreliable tests), this means I can continue to teach. Can I also go to the supermarket to buy food? The pharmacy to pick up my prescription? For my blood test at the hospital? Or is it only in schools with the magic walls that the covid tests count for?

Achristmaspudsskidu · 23/12/2020 21:32

@FiggyPuddingFiend

So under these rules, say I as a teacher have a household member with covid. I agree to be tested every day and keep coming up negative (by these massively unreliable tests), this means I can continue to teach. Can I also go to the supermarket to buy food? The pharmacy to pick up my prescription? For my blood test at the hospital? Or is it only in schools with the magic walls that the covid tests count for?
Well, now that is a good question!!
Achristmaspudsskidu · 23/12/2020 21:34

Also, what if school staff don’t consent to daily testing? Do they have that choice/right?

Would they self isolate but with no pay?!

TheHoneyBadger · 24/12/2020 07:49

@Achristmaspudsskidu

Also, what if school staff don’t consent to daily testing? Do they have that choice/right?

Would they self isolate but with no pay?!

Another good question.
Piggyinblankets · 24/12/2020 08:37

I read somewhere that it could be written into contracts that we have to consent.

Goodbye2020Hello2021 · 24/12/2020 08:44

I read somewhere that it could be written into contracts that we have to consent.

Consent in home/school contracts?
That won’t happen.

Goodbye2020Hello2021 · 24/12/2020 08:46

Sorry, just read the thread...you mean teachers will have it written into their contracts.
I can’t see that happening either.

Goodbye2020Hello2021 · 24/12/2020 08:50

For a start, I have a colleague who, due to medical issues (operations on nose) would absolutely not consent to having some random volunteer stick anything up their nose. I can guarantee it.

IAmAMalenkyBitPoogly · 24/12/2020 14:16

@HateIsNotGood

Don't need to really Endo - is it different to every other thread? Save me reading through 29 pages so please give me a reason why I shouldn't be willing to Volunteer and I'll be as happy and willing to read it too.

Many Thanks
HING

"I can't be arsed reading the discussion but felt you all needed to know my opinion. Well okay, yes if you think I'm wrong as I haven't informed myself of the actual facts, please can you just summarise it all for me and I'll be willing to read it. Thank you!"
IAmAMalenkyBitPoogly · 24/12/2020 14:18

Shit I forgot the end!

"Many thanks
IAAMBP"

MercyBooth · 24/12/2020 15:18

After stopping people from seeing their families at Christmas i reckon their pool of volunteers has massively shrunk now.

Too dangerous to visit a couple of family members but not dangerous enough to volunteer to test loads of schoolkids.

Fuck Off Boris , Hancock and co.

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