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Original poster

Are any other teachers considering not returning to work until after they have vaccine...

128 replies

RoseTintedAtuin · 03/01/2021 13:44

And other protections have been provided for them and students?
I have asked my DH not to go back to work in schools until after he has been vaccinated and until measures are in place to allow them to social distance and protect children and staff.
I have seen many threads of parents who simply cannot cope without their children attending schools and I understand this (and ideally would support schools being open in a safe manner). However the right to education for children does not trump the right to be safe at work.
I feel we as a society have failed teachers and pupils by allowing/expecting them to continue to work in an unsustainable manner throughout this pandemic.
I do not want my DH to be at risk, and I wonder how many other teachers/spouses of teachers are feeling the same? Are any others considering leaving the profession even temporarily until their safety is made more of a consideration?

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Ugzbugz · 03/01/2021 23:03

Not a teacher but 40 and according to calculator could be july 2022 for second dose.

I have to physically go to work for one of my jobs and have a child in school so need a support bubble who also has to physically go to work. Neither of us could be off until july 2022.

I do wonder if we will have any teachers left after this shit show.

Original poster
RoseTintedAtuin · 03/01/2021 23:30

@Ugzbugz yes I also have that concern. But I think we (as a society) have allowed it to get to that stage and will reap the consequences unfortunately

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Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady · 03/01/2021 23:33

*Emmie12345

Why don’t they just vaccinate all teachers next week then send them back to work

They’d still complain and want paid time off until the jab-site boo-boo didn’t hurt anymore.*

Oh fuck off #notateacher #youreatwat

bumblenbean · 03/01/2021 23:34

I don’t really understand why the dates have been pushed back on the calculator - thought the whole point of extending the time between doses was so they could vaccinate more people more quickly?! Seems to have had the opposite effect.

So much for that leaked document which said it was anticipated all adults would be vaccinated by the end of March 2021 🙄

Sorry for the derail OP!

EasterIssland · 03/01/2021 23:38

@bumblenbean

I don’t really understand why the dates have been pushed back on the calculator - thought the whole point of extending the time between doses was so they could vaccinate more people more quickly?! Seems to have had the opposite effect.

So much for that leaked document which said it was anticipated all adults would be vaccinated by the end of March 2021 🙄

Sorry for the derail OP!

As said it’s not an official website so not sure what’s going on and why has it changed
WyfOfBathe · 03/01/2021 23:48

DH and I are both teachers. I’m currently on maternity leave, due to return after Easter. DH is still teaching.

Neither of us have considered quitting. We’re both in our 30s, DH has a condition meaning he gets a free flu jab, but nothing especially serious. To us, the risk of death or serious illness from Covid is much smaller than the chances of major financial issues if we didn’t work.

Original poster
RoseTintedAtuin · 03/01/2021 23:52

@WyfOfBathe that’s fair, everyone’s risk and circumstance is different and I’m glad that you feel the risk to your family’s health is less

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Original poster
RoseTintedAtuin · 03/01/2021 23:54

@bumblenbean not at all. This information is critical to people making informed choices so I’m glad that it is raised and discussed

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TheLevyEyebrowsFancIub · 03/01/2021 23:58

No

  1. I am in a new job with probation period
  2. NASUWT have emailed and said to go in - if not, can face disciplinary/dismissal
  3. I am under 50 not by a lot and although obese with asthma issues, I won't be a vaccine priority sadly
  4. I cover the Covid cases/teacher absentees: put simply, someone has to. I mask up, sanitise and get on with it - as do all the teachers teaching my kids in primary who don't get to mask up.
LizzieVereker · 04/01/2021 00:04

I’m a teacher and I admit I’d like the vaccine as I’m getting on a bit! However, vaccinating us teachers will only help us teachers, not our students or their families or communities.

In the meantime, like lots of other professions, unless directed to work from home, we have to go in or resign. I would prefer schools to be safe or to work from home, but if that isn’t an option I will go in.

Nicknamegoeshere · 04/01/2021 00:11

I'm a teacher. Currently on mat leave but due to return in May when my baby will turn one. Don't know if I'll be able to have the vaccine as breastfeeding. I know I can't have the Pfizer one.

Original poster
RoseTintedAtuin · 04/01/2021 00:15

@TheLevyEyebrowsFancIub @LizzieVereker -these are the types of responses that raise concerns. It seems to me (and I certainly don’t mean to put words in your mouth) that you will both continue to go to work due to the threat of disciplinary action or loss of jobs whilst acknowledging the risk to health. I feel this is a type of duress. My understanding is this was what unions were created to prevent. I absolutely understand and respect your decision based on your personal circumstances but it certainly makes me feel sad that you (and many others) are in this situation.

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LizzieVereker · 04/01/2021 00:20

It’s only what many other people are having to do. We have to take risks if schools must be kept open. But thank you for your kindness.

bunwell · 04/01/2021 00:26

There is little concern about your duty of care to those you teach or their families. Nothing like the Hippocratic Oath.

There are many doctors in our family. There are three sets of doctors who have primary aged kids. They do a full days work (two on COVID wards) and the have to teach their kids afterwards as key worker care is so inadequate. They have done this for many months and are caring for your sick family whilst teaching their own kids on top after work. Shameful.

Doublefaced · 04/01/2021 00:36

‘They’d still complain and want paid time off until the jab-site boo-boo didn’t hurt anymore.’

GrinGrin

blue25 · 04/01/2021 00:37

I know two teachers who have resigned. They will look for another job when this is all over and they’ve been vaccinated. They can manage without the money though obviously.

Original poster
RoseTintedAtuin · 04/01/2021 00:39

@bunwell I am not currently a teacher and I bear no duty of care to pupils but I do to my husband. I feel absolutely no shame in acting to protect my DH and do have a good education when it comes to shame and guilt.
I also have family members who are doctors who have suggested this to be a worthwhile course of action.
I personally feel that the health of my DH (or any teacher) is more important than whether a child gets an A or a C in exams.
Still you are entitled to your opinion and if you feel I should be ashamed at protecting the health and well-being of my family rather than sacrificing it to the betterment of the education of yours that is your prerogative.

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Doublefaced · 04/01/2021 00:43

Does your husband share your views OP? I would respectfully suggest that a teacher who believes they have no duty of care towards children, should resign yes. It’s a scary attitude.

Original poster
RoseTintedAtuin · 04/01/2021 00:45

@Doublefaced of course he has a duty of care to his pupils! But that message was addressed to me and I don’t. He on the other hand is most distressed at the current situation.

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Original poster
RoseTintedAtuin · 04/01/2021 00:47

It is worth noting however that he also has a duty to his family and in this instance they are at odds in a way they never have been before.

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bunwell · 04/01/2021 01:09

Let’s all give up any kind of care or responsibility until your Dh is vaccinated then, shall we? Who will administer the vaccine? The clinicians also have vulnerable family or are themselves but continue with huge personal sacrifices on your behalf

Original poster
RoseTintedAtuin · 04/01/2021 01:13

If clinicians feel that their place of work is unsafe for them to carry out their work then I would support them in attaining the changes they need to their workplace to make it safe.

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Folicky · 04/01/2021 01:34

Wear a visor and scrubs like others who are public facing, shut tfu and do your job! No pay rises for teachers for the foreseeable future, they had a job to do during a global crisis and they didn't do it. Give us all this time off, we can't possibly do our job and home school our own children, we'lll just scan a load of shit from Twinkl for your kids and call that 'working'. Never has there been a greater need for a showdown with a hubristic, deluded unions. The epitome of a busted flush.

Folicky · 04/01/2021 01:42

Rosetinted
"I have no qualms with being as selfish as you like when it comes to the health of my husband, as you are about the education of your children. The difference is I would stand behind all of those key workers who were put in an untenable position endangering their health whereas you belittle the concerns of teachers (and their families)"

What makes you think other key workers aren't endangering their health to fulfill their roles and worried about it. Nearly everyone has someone with vulnerabilities in their family circle and wouldn't want to be responsible for giving them Covid. What makes the risk and stress and concern worse for you that the rest of us?

Not that I like him, but Gove will be PM within the year and he'll have you lot sorted out.

Original poster
RoseTintedAtuin · 04/01/2021 01:53

@Folicky I never said or thought my situation was worse than anyone else’s. In fact the point of the thread was to ask about other teachers/teachers families their perspectives and thoughts on the subject given that schools provisions for Covid are woeful. I support any workers right to a safe working environment. My family’s decision is not the topic, it is made. It does not require justification as your decisions and beliefs also do not.

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