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Original poster

School staff ARE more at risk from contracting COVID than the general population- according to data released by the DfE yesterday.

162 replies

Feenie · 20/01/2021 08:07

neu.org.uk/press-releases/impact-covid-school-workforce?fbclid=IwAR2ayf6jFbhEMcpICBffM5daowz8tdrIs77bqyCKFQHWaKB109Z1TktZXEk

Data that contradicts continual assurances that were still being given as late as yesterday by Dr Jenny Harries to the Education Select Committee.

School staff ARE more at risk from contracting COVID than the general population- according to data released by the DfE yesterday.
School staff ARE more at risk from contracting COVID than the general population- according to data released by the DfE yesterday.
OP posts:
MillieEpple · 20/01/2021 08:10

Those special school TAs! Flowers

ThePricklySheep · 20/01/2021 08:15

But they’re comparing to ‘the general population’ which includes all those working at home, having contact with no one.
I wonder how they compare to other jobs who have a little contact with people.

I think all those professions should be getting vaccinated higher up on the priority scale though.

Kazzyhoward · 20/01/2021 08:20

Where's the line on the graph for shop workers?

Original poster
Feenie · 20/01/2021 08:23

No idea. Difference is the government are not banging on about safe supermarkets or insisting they don't need PPE.

OP posts:
Original poster
Feenie · 20/01/2021 08:24

Of outright lying about the safety of supermarkets to select committees and the general public over and over again.

OP posts:
saffire · 20/01/2021 09:42

@Kazzyhoward

Where's the line on the graph for shop workers?
Shop workers have screens and are allowed to wear masks. Generally they are in an area that has better ventilation than a small classroom with a window that only opens 10cm.
PrivateHall · 20/01/2021 10:12

There is a thread already op. Of course school staff are at high risk of exposure to covid. We know this. But this data isn't actually proving that.
Lots of children are having to stay at home now, so we will see what data the next few weeks brings. But comparing rates to the general population is completely meaningless, sorry!

Ponoka7 · 20/01/2021 10:21

I think we need detailed reporting of the numbers who are getting ill, as in more than any other virus, with it. Then as the vaccination programs progresses, rethink who are next. There are large groups of people who don't have to fear testing positive. I'd include my Adult DD's who are all key workers.

notevenat20 · 20/01/2021 10:24

It's the same poor stats that doesn't help anyone. I don't understand why this simple question isn't tackled competently. To work out if teaching is more dangerous than other professions you need to compare to other people not working at home and make sure the two groups have similar demographics.

Cookiecrisps · 20/01/2021 10:28

@Feenie

Of outright lying about the safety of supermarkets to select committees and the general public over and over again.
I totally agree with you. I’m sick and tired of being given restrictions in every part of my life except in my workplace and then lied to by government ministers who insist that it is safe.

Hands, face, space is vital according to the government propaganda unless you’re in a classroom with no face coverings allowed for students and staff in many schools (thanks DfE guidance) and no social distancing.

LizardWar · 20/01/2021 10:29

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Cookiecrisps · 20/01/2021 10:33

@LizardWar the trouble is schools aren’t closed to all now and bubbles are still bursting. I have 20 children in my teaching group. No masks allowed and no social distancing between children and adults yet I can’t go into the bank without a face covering and if there’s already 2 people in there.

Original poster
Feenie · 20/01/2021 10:37

@PrivateHall

There is a thread already op. Of course school staff are at high risk of exposure to covid. We know this. But this data isn't actually proving that. Lots of children are having to stay at home now, so we will see what data the next few weeks brings. But comparing rates to the general population is completely meaningless, sorry!
Where’s the thread, please?
OP posts:
Original poster
Feenie · 20/01/2021 10:52

@PrivateHall Can't find one?

OP posts:
bluechameleon · 20/01/2021 11:42

Where's the line on the graph for shop workers?
They aren't on this graph because it is about school staff. Nor are bus drivers or security guards or care workers or police officers or paramedics. No one is saying school staff are the only people at higher risk than the general population. What they are saying is that the government has repeatedly lied to us, saying that schools are safe and school staff are not at risk when it was abundantly clear that these statements were not true. They had their reasons for not wanting to close schools, but rather than being honest they fabricated this view that schools were safe and teachers were just hysterical and workshy.

Chill08 · 20/01/2021 12:22

What i dont understand about the graphs i keep seeing is where are the nurseries/preschools info in all this. Are we that irrelevant! It certainly seems like it.

Original poster
Feenie · 20/01/2021 12:24

That's a good question.

OP posts:
sundowners · 20/01/2021 12:24

Sorry OP - you’ve not had the result you’ve wanted. You’ve not had the working parents amongst us, particularly the parents of primary age kids - currently all going stir crazy - all suddenly change our minds and agree that keeping schools off is a good thing. Next-

sundowners · 20/01/2021 12:26

LizardWar so you propose to keep kids off school for a whole further year. Right.
Can you please confirm how many kids you have? Their ages? If you work/ full time? Do you have any kid with SEN currently not in school?

unmarkedbythat · 20/01/2021 12:27

I don't think anyone thought otherwise, given that the general population includes people shielding, working from home, furloughed, unemployed, retired, etc. The question is, is there a significant difference in risk between school staff and other employment groups?

MarshmallowManiac · 20/01/2021 12:28

But then we always knew this didn't we. I also work in a Special school.

unmarkedbythat · 20/01/2021 12:28

OP, I think noblegiraffe posted this the first day it came out so possibly if you AS her you'll find that thread?

Itisasecret · 20/01/2021 12:28

@sundowners

Sorry OP - you’ve not had the result you’ve wanted. You’ve not had the working parents amongst us, particularly the parents of primary age kids - currently all going stir crazy - all suddenly change our minds and agree that keeping schools off is a good thing. Next-
You’ve spectacularly missed the point.

Anyway op, we all knew this. Especially the low paid TAs who really get their hands dirty. This will make future legal challenges interesting . It will also make it harder to open schools with the backtracking on testing. They need to work on a plan for safer schools and now.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 20/01/2021 12:29

Thid data had bern posted several times , and we need better data comparing to other professions not against the whole population.
Are they more at risk than nhs - doubtful , more than poilce, shopworker's
It needs to be better data , trouble with data is it can be used to show what people want if you don't use it all.
None of us are stupid and it's obvious teachers will be up there , due to nature of job.

Timeontimeoff · 20/01/2021 12:30

I just have to HmmGrin @LizardWar.... Keep schools closed another year .....no way at all. Totally ridiculous