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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

I don't understand the opposition to mass testing in school

285 replies

Blanketyblankblankety · 18/12/2020 19:16

I thought that's what teachers on here wanted. Won't it mean school will be much safer as you'll be able to identify asymptomatic DC plus not have to rely on parents not to send DC in even with symptoms. Why is there so much negativity?

OP posts:
starrynight19 · 18/12/2020 21:00

@CraftyGin but we aren’t talking about kids at university are we ?
I have done it at a drive through centre in the time frame you are describing but I’m not sure what that has to do with what is being proposed in schools.

cantkeepawayforever · 18/12/2020 21:01

DD said 4 minutes first time and two minutes second time.

And they were then released into full classrooms of 30+ students, no SD and no mask wearing in the classroom, mixing with 30 different students every hour after walking through crowded corridors?

Or did they go back to their accommodation bubbles to continue online learning?

CraftyGin · 18/12/2020 21:02

@noelgiraffe

Also, Crafty have you abandoned your plan to do it in PSHE lessons?
The HM letter today said 3 2-hour slots. I am not au fait with practicalities beyond this.
CraftyGin · 18/12/2020 21:03

[quote starrynight19]@CraftyGin but we aren’t talking about kids at university are we ?
I have done it at a drive through centre in the time frame you are describing but I’m not sure what that has to do with what is being proposed in schools.[/quote]
I don’t think there is a species change between school and university.

CraftyGin · 18/12/2020 21:04

@cantkeepawayforever

DD said 4 minutes first time and two minutes second time.

And they were then released into full classrooms of 30+ students, no SD and no mask wearing in the classroom, mixing with 30 different students every hour after walking through crowded corridors?

Or did they go back to their accommodation bubbles to continue online learning?

If there were no mass testing, this is exactly what would be happening. Being tested does not increase the risk.
noelgiraffe · 18/12/2020 21:04

The HM letter today said 3 2-hour slots. I am not au fait with practicalities beyond this.

Perhaps given your entire lack of knowledge of this beyond a positive letter from your head, you shouldn’t be quite so confident in your assertions about how easy it all is?

Canyoncall · 18/12/2020 21:05

@CraftyGin - the labs will be used for any subsequent tests as a result of community testing, test and trace and identification of positive tests. In addition to follow up re the issues with LFTs and need to do PCR

noelgiraffe · 18/12/2020 21:05

If there were no mass testing, this is exactly what would be happening.

Crafty it’s obvious you still don’t understand the two different proposals.

PicsInRed · 18/12/2020 21:06

Rando volunteers off the street to swab up at reluctant kids' sinuses.

Naw, I'm sure that'll be just fine.

AaronPurr · 18/12/2020 21:06

@noelgiraffe

If there were no mass testing, this is exactly what would be happening.

Crafty it’s obvious you still don’t understand the two different proposals.

Indeed. It has been explained numerous times on the thread. There are 2 different proposals.
cantkeepawayforever · 18/12/2020 21:07

If there were no mass testing, this is exactly what would be happening. Being tested does not increase the risk.

YES IT DOES.

Under current arrangements, every close contact would be at home self isolating.

Under the proposed arrangements, every single close contact would be at school mixing normally and would be tested daily.

You are conflating the 'start of term' testing and the 'instead of isolating' testing. That is what the government wants you to do, to make teachers seem unreasonable.

RememberSelfCompassion · 18/12/2020 21:09

Crafty - I really think you should volunteer to help at your local comprehensive. And just see what it is like in practice.

ballsdeep · 18/12/2020 21:09

@CraftyGin get over yourself.
You sound like a handmaid.

CraftyGin · 18/12/2020 21:10

@noelgiraffe

The HM letter today said 3 2-hour slots. I am not au fait with practicalities beyond this.

Perhaps given your entire lack of knowledge of this beyond a positive letter from your head, you shouldn’t be quite so confident in your assertions about how easy it all is?

I’ve been SLT in two different schools. I know how to run a school, even though that is not my role now.
MillieEpple · 18/12/2020 21:10

The instead of isolating testing is so dangerous.

CraftyGin · 18/12/2020 21:11

@noelgiraffe

If there were no mass testing, this is exactly what would be happening.

Crafty it’s obvious you still don’t understand the two different proposals.

I could say the same
CraftyGin · 18/12/2020 21:11

@PicsInRed

Rando volunteers off the street to swab up at reluctant kids' sinuses.

Naw, I'm sure that'll be just fine.

I don’t think that is the desire.
AaronPurr · 18/12/2020 21:12

I could say the same

Confused

Surely you're joking?

Achristmaspudsskidu · 18/12/2020 21:12

If there were no mass testing, this is exactly what would be happening. Being tested does not increase the risk.

DP you understand that mass testing isn’t what’s being proposed in school? It’s replacing self isolation for close contacts, with inaccurate testing.

If you think these close contacts are just fine to go back mixing in class before the results, do you think this should be transferred to all workplaces?

willsantausesantatize · 18/12/2020 21:13

It's a shame the teachers unions are so weak as they need to stand up for their members here. It's appalling they are being made to even think about ' rolling this out' .
I'm so glad I haven't got children at school anymore.

noelgiraffe · 18/12/2020 21:14

What are the two different proposals then Crafty?

CraftyGin · 18/12/2020 21:14

@cantkeepawayforever

If there were no mass testing, this is exactly what would be happening. Being tested does not increase the risk.

YES IT DOES.

Under current arrangements, every close contact would be at home self isolating.

Under the proposed arrangements, every single close contact would be at school mixing normally and would be tested daily.

You are conflating the 'start of term' testing and the 'instead of isolating' testing. That is what the government wants you to do, to make teachers seem unreasonable.

How can having an asymptomatic test increase the risk?

The test does not give you the virus. Gosh, no wonder people are sceptical about getting tested.

If you have symptoms, or are a close contact, you are in a completely different category.

cantkeepawayforever · 18/12/2020 21:15

ballsdeep, I think she's just confused, and hasn't realised that there are two sets of testing being proposed.

One is at the start of term, for every secondary pupil (2.75 million pupils up to Y11, obviously plus 6th form age) - before the 4th for exam years, and for all other years in the following week.

The other is to replace the 700,000+ students currently isolating each day as a result of being close contacts of positive cases. Under the proposals, almost all of those would attend school and mix normally, except for having a daily test.

CraftyGin · 18/12/2020 21:15

@noelgiraffe

What are the two different proposals then Crafty?
You tell me!
Achristmaspudsskidu · 18/12/2020 21:17

If you have symptoms, or are a close contact, you are in a completely different category

Yep, as everyone on this thread is explaining. This is the plan for close contacts. Have you read the plans?

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