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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
motherrunner · 16/12/2020 09:07

@FiggyPuddingified

I guess another question to wider society to consider is:

I'm a teacher, I'm told I've been in close contact with a student whose tested positive (student was sat at the front of my class which is less than 2 m away and coughed a few times in my lesson). I'm told to have these daily tests instead of isolating so that I can still teach in school. Tests pick up about half of cases. Are you happy for me to go to the supermarket after work? Go and collect my takeaway? Meet up with me for a walk in the park? Or do you think I should be isolating?

Excellent question @FiggyPuddingified
AaronPurr · 16/12/2020 09:08

@FiggyPuddingified

I guess another question to wider society to consider is:

I'm a teacher, I'm told I've been in close contact with a student whose tested positive (student was sat at the front of my class which is less than 2 m away and coughed a few times in my lesson). I'm told to have these daily tests instead of isolating so that I can still teach in school. Tests pick up about half of cases. Are you happy for me to go to the supermarket after work? Go and collect my takeaway? Meet up with me for a walk in the park? Or do you think I should be isolating?

Good question. I can just imagine the teacher bashing threads in these circumstances. Sad
InTheLongGrass · 16/12/2020 09:10

I'm sure I wont get asked to do this (as currently none student facing school support staff) because I'm not in London, or other important place.
As an area weve been offered mass testing twice, and then had it removed as it was needed elsewhere.
So, we will toddle along in tier 3, closing a class frequently, whilst hearing how wonderful the national scheme is working elsewhere.

peridito · 16/12/2020 09:10

Hang on - it's not a swab test .It's the lateral flow one that's being rolled out isn't it ? Or have I gone mad ???

The one that involves a drop of blood >

www.gov.uk/government/news/secondary-schools-and-colleges-to-get-weekly-coronavirus-testing

Lateral flow tests to be deployed to all secondary schools and colleges to help detect asymptomatic cases and break chains of transmission from January

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum · 16/12/2020 09:11

@Ninbuscl

I am feeling so sad about this all this morning And also about the news that half the population won’t get vaccine until the end of 2021 🙁
I read that but that half are the under 50s with no know vulnerability. Even though people are scared of getting the virus badly or long term health complications the risks seem very low for these people. Obviously we don't know everything about this virus. However a some point you just have to let fate take over. People wouldn't ever leave the house if not and you are probably still more likely to die in a household accident or at the hands of your partner if you stay at home. In this category I mean.
MrsMigginsMate · 16/12/2020 09:13

Teachers: "This is too much work, we need support"
Parents: "Sure, we'll help any way we can"
Teachers: "Eww, we don't want help from the likes of you"

Face palm. Hmm

MillieEpple · 16/12/2020 09:14

To be fair some testing sites you literally drive up and are passed a swab to do yourself. My 13 year old has done it twice successfully. There are people directing on the gates, people issuing labels and people handing out the swabs and collecting them but not swabbing. Its vaguely feasible the queue bit in particular could use volunteers.
The scouts and guides have already sent out an email asking for volunteers for the vacination programme. Its a huge body of dbs checked socially motivated people used to organising stuff. Id trust Brown Owl over Dido Harding

However, Its not feasible for schools to organise all this and pay for it in zero time and a ridiculous suggestion because of that.

MarshaBradyo · 16/12/2020 09:16

Fine to help. Ds (10) did his own test. Parents can do the other stuff listed and supervise.

ItRubsTheLotionOnItsSkin · 16/12/2020 09:18

I would be happy to administer the tests at home as a parent, perhaps it would be good to emphasise this point when speaking up about it - then we are offering an alternative strategy rather than just fuck that shit (which is what I want to say)

In practice, (i am not sure if that should be practice or practise, teachers?) I don't think I would send a possibly positive close contact DC back in even with a negative test. Like an MOT, surely the test is only valid at the point of being done, it won't stop your headlights developing a fault three hours later.

Also - they do say that self isolation is still an option for none tested DC - but then it raises the question - SI is for 10 days, these tests are for seven days, so why isn't SI being changed to seven days also?

Schoolchoicesucks · 16/12/2020 09:18

This is such bollocks.

Yes, roll out mass testing of secondary kids in areas with high levels of infection. Use the lateral flow tests to pick up the asymptomatic cases to prevent the spread. Serco or the army should be rolling this out across the country.

For school staff or volunteers to implement it to replace kids from isolating? When it only picks up half the cases? And expect them to be ready to roll it out when term starts? Absolutely bollocks.

ItRubsTheLotionOnItsSkin · 16/12/2020 09:20

@MrsMigginsMate

Teachers: "This is too much work, we need support" Parents: "Sure, we'll help any way we can" Teachers: "Eww, we don't want help from the likes of you"

Face palm. Hmm

Have you read the thread? As that isn't what people are saying at all Confused

PS I'm not a teacher.

TheHoneyBadger · 16/12/2020 09:20

Even finding the space for this is impossible. In January we have mocks and god knows how we're going to manage that with year group zones requiring staggered lunches and break space whereby all halls and large spaces are effectively double booked for January already.

People have already covered the madness of close contacts travelling to and being in school aka incredibly f'ing unsafe and flying in the face of infection control and limiting community spread.

There are however community centres used to accommodating blood donor services and specialists such as those who organise and triage blood donation in terms of logistics and more recently including Covid infection controls. Those are the spaces that could utilised and perhaps they could spare a member of staff to set up and supervise the running of the testing for school kids per community centre. And it could be the communities (parish, county, district councils) responsibility to staff the centre.

Why dump it on and in schools that are already stretched to breaking point?

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum · 16/12/2020 09:23

@ItRubsTheLotionOnItsSkin

OK here is a question (assuming I didn't have a brain to see the pitfalls myself)

I want to volunteer for this! I want to do my bit to implement this testing of DC who may be positive as they are close contacts of positive cases. Shall I come to the hall on Monday?

Oh by the way though, I am clinically extremely vulnerable, my lungs are fucked and the government previously told me to stay in my house for months and not go beyond my front door as it was so dangerous. Just thought I'd mention that. Do you all think it's a good idea I come and do this testing? Or is it maybe fucking stupid a bit risky?

Think there are enough pitfalls for people to highlight without you making up extra ones

Kind of them sounds like objectors are just trying to be ackward

Sorry if you meant your volunteer didn't mention to school any of these things before volunteering. Then yes that is very concerning.

MrsMigginsMate · 16/12/2020 09:23

@ItRubsTheLotionOnItsSkin. Have you read the first two pages?

borntobequiet · 16/12/2020 09:24

“Will have access to” “Will be eligible for” “Will be supported to roll out testing”

I’ll believe it when I see it.

InTheLongGrass · 16/12/2020 09:25

@peridito lateral flow is fast answer, nasal swab.
Hope this <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/11/LFD_NHSStaff_A4_161120_.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjFuo3iltLtAhWITcAKHQ48BDQQFjABegQIBxAB&usg=AOvVaw2DovQP6spvO0Nvlj5U8BPX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">link works - it's a pdf

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 16/12/2020 09:27

Like an MOT, surely the test is only valid at the point of being done, it won't stop your headlights developing a fault three hours later.

Yes, that's the general idea. If your viral load is too low to trigger the test, you are very unlikely to be infectious for the coming hours, even if you are incubating it and the levels in your body are steadily rising.

That is why daily tests are needed for the entire incubation/isolation period (especially as the isolation period is now 4 days shorter than the incubation period) and should be first thing in the morning (before joining class groups)

MillieEpple · 16/12/2020 09:29

Does anyone remember recieving the pack of 10 covid tests in mid September and then one month later a 250ml bottle of hand santiser, 50 face masks and a pack of gloves. To make the school 'covid safe' Grin.

Mammyloveswine · 16/12/2020 09:29

Can't wait to get covid in the new year! Have thus far managed to avoid it although am currently isolating after a child in my class tested positive so 🙏 I don't get it for Christmas!

This government is an absolute disgrace.. we will look back on these days with shame and shock that it was ever allowed to happen..

AaronPurr · 16/12/2020 09:30

@MillieEpple

Does anyone remember recieving the pack of 10 covid tests in mid September and then one month later a 250ml bottle of hand santiser, 50 face masks and a pack of gloves. To make the school 'covid safe' Grin.
Shock We didn't get the 250ml bottle of hand santiser, i'm jealous. Grin
OpheliasCrayon · 16/12/2020 09:35

@MrsMigginsMate

Teachers: "This is too much work, we need support" Parents: "Sure, we'll help any way we can" Teachers: "Eww, we don't want help from the likes of you"

Face palm. Hmm

You do realise parents aren't currently allowed in schools right ?
OpheliasCrayon · 16/12/2020 09:37

@Whattimeisdinner

open the mouth wide and gently rub the swab’s fabric tip over both tonsils at the back of the throat for 10 seconds

Hmm.. DD has no tonsils.

I predict mass gagging in the school hall.
Non-invasive? I disagree.

I've got no tonsils and have managed two be covid tested twice. It's just the area of the throat where they would be... The tonsils aren't actually relevant
MrsMigginsMate · 16/12/2020 09:39

@OpheliasCrayon that has nothing to do with the objections that I'm parodying. And presumably the people suggesting a parent workforce are also suggesting those restrictions be waived for the sake of getting the job done.

I'm happy to volunteer if needed. I'm not happy for teacher's to roll their eyes at any efforts we make. They either accept help or stop complaining about the lack of it, simple.

MrsMigginsMate · 16/12/2020 09:40

Should clarify I'm talking about help from parents. I'm aware more help should be offered from the government.

PeppermintSoda · 16/12/2020 09:41

The school testing will be for close contacts of positive cases only won't it? Not for kids with symptoms too?.

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