[quote Hellebored]@herecomesthsun but there's testing and masks now and still plenty of teachers not wanting to go back. What about primary schools? There's been calls for schools to be closed all year and an awful lot of damage done.
Most teachers are not over 50 and not in high risk groups, especially in primary schools. I'm not suggesting those most at risk shouldn't have followed advice to shield or work from home but teachers not in those groups have often worked fewer hours (not all, but teachers I know have) at a time of national emergency.
"Teachers are in small rooms which are crowded in a way we don't generally see elsewhere in covid times." Except for buses, factories, call centres, construction sites and hospitals - all with higher mortality from covid.
Teachers can see their job in whatever way they want, but if they're going to pursuade people that they've been in mortal danger in a working environment which has seen no covid cases in a year (as our school and many others have) it's not going to happen.[/quote]
My daughter is a HLTA who has recovered from leukaemia, so clinically vulnerable. She was expected to be in an unventilated room in primary, where social distancing is impossible, returning home to vulnerable parents and ecv grandparent.
Two colleagues have had covid, it is a tiny school. Requests for her to use simple ppe (a mask) were refused.
Other professions have risks, but are at least given the chance to use ppe. For the paltry wages she earns it isn't worth it frankly. She was a comitted caring ta, who gave loads to the kids she is involved with. Now she just feels demoralised, worthless and unappreciated. I suspect she will change jobs soon.
She won't be vaccinated until next week, so is still at risk for several weeks.