Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

1 in 10 students with COVID

139 replies

catchingzzzeds · 20/10/2021 18:28

The secondary school I work at now has 1 in 10 students and 10 teaching staff at home with COVID. We started the week with 65 cases and today we have over 100.
Why are the government not helping us? If we could bring back masks and bubbles we could at least stand a chance of containing the spread. I also think advising that whole households isolate if a family member tests positive would help too.
We are finding that siblings are testing positive a week after the first household case.
Roll on half term, here's hoping it acts a bit of a circuit breaker.

OP posts:
Handsnotwands · 20/10/2021 18:29

Why can’t you bring back masks? My sons school did weeks ago (they’re still riddled with it)

PeachesPumpkin · 20/10/2021 18:30

Do you not remember the governments previous response to teachers concerns…

1 in 10 students with COVID
Original poster
catchingzzzeds · 20/10/2021 18:30

@Handsnotwands

Why can’t you bring back masks? My sons school did weeks ago (they’re still riddled with it)
The Head is firmly fixed on following the advice from the DFE Confused
OP posts:
OnceuponaRainbow18 · 20/10/2021 18:31

Yup we’re in the same situation but we’ve been
Advised to go back to masks but the kids aren’t doing it and the head won’t enforce it as it’s advise

Original poster
catchingzzzeds · 20/10/2021 18:32

@PeachesPumpkin

Do you not remember the governments previous response to teachers concerns…
It's so frustrating!
OP posts:
middleager · 20/10/2021 18:34

My one DC's secondary has reintroduced masks based on recommendations from the local PHE. Cases are on the rise in the area and schools.

My other DC's secondary, a few miles away, different LA are still no masks despite he and many others catching Covid these past few weeks (and passing it on to me).

Watapalava · 20/10/2021 18:35

how many are actually seriously ill?

CosmicComfort · 20/10/2021 18:35

Ds2 has just tested positive and as both DH and I are negative it seems most likely he got it from school. He’s 17 so has had one vaccine and isn’t very unwell, just cold symptoms.

Still annoying though. I work with vulnerable older people so am working from home for the 10 day period. I really don’t like the advice that household members don’t need to isolate, doesn’t feel practical or safe at all. Although DS2 is older, he is still anxious about it and physically unwell, he can’t be expected to isolate from us completely in what is a relatively small space!

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 20/10/2021 18:35

To be fair thr head has to follow the dfe guidance.

makelovenotpetrol · 20/10/2021 18:40

The government want it to spread. This is how it spreads.

Original poster
catchingzzzeds · 20/10/2021 18:42

@Watapalava

how many are actually seriously ill?
2 students were hospitalised but have since been discharged. One staff member has been off sick for a month. For most it has been like a heavy cold or flu. We have 3 CEV students who are having to stay at home as it's too risky for them to come to school.
OP posts:
Original poster
catchingzzzeds · 20/10/2021 18:43

@Invasionofthegutsnatchers

To be fair thr head has to follow the dfe guidance.
I know he's in a difficult position.
OP posts:
MackenCheese · 20/10/2021 18:51

One school near me has gone back to masks in corridor areas, and the other one has gone back to on-line learning!

CiderWithLizzie · 20/10/2021 18:59

The school I work in and my dd’s school have both gone back to online learning Sad

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 20/10/2021 19:11

@CiderWithLizzie

Are the private schools? All our local
Private ones have gone online and us huge state comp is battling through a loosing battle

CiderWithLizzie · 20/10/2021 19:17

Yes they are @OnceuponaRainbow18

Greentime101 · 20/10/2021 19:20

In some schools we must be approaching the point where everyone has had covid now? Especially as many cases would have been asymptomatic.

Our whole family currently has covid so I’m just trying to think of any silver lining!!

TumtumTree · 20/10/2021 19:21

My DC's school have reintroduced masks. Not compulsory but recommended.

Warhertisuff · 20/10/2021 19:21

You're not going to be able to prevent pupils from getting Covid in due course. Isn't is better that it passes through the school now in a short sharp burst, and out of the way by Christmas? Otherwise you're just prolonging the agony, potentially to exam season!

Warhertisuff · 20/10/2021 19:24

@catchingzzzeds

For most it has been like a heavy cold or flu. We have 3 CEV students who are having to stay at home as it's too risky for them to come to school.

It's crap from those that are CEV, but I'd have thought a few weeks at home whilst it goes through the school is somewhat safer than being at school whilst the same number of pupils get it over an extended period.

Scarby9 · 20/10/2021 19:30

We reintroduced masks today for adults and secondary age children across the whole MAT.
Mask wearing had remained 'encouraged' but the numbers doing so had dropped and dropped. Meanwhile cases had risen, so it is back to staff on the doors reminding kids to put their mask on and handing out disposables to those who have forgotten theirs.

Iggly · 20/10/2021 19:32

@Watapalava

how many are actually seriously ill?
That’s not the point.

Children who are seemingly ok, will spread it to those who aren’t going to be.

As you may have heard, vaccines are wearing off and that is worse the older you are. People aren’t taking up their booster jab.

So, if it spreads through schools, it will spread in the wider community.

Iggly · 20/10/2021 19:32

@Warhertisuff

You're not going to be able to prevent pupils from getting Covid in due course. Isn't is better that it passes through the school now in a short sharp burst, and out of the way by Christmas? Otherwise you're just prolonging the agony, potentially to exam season!
It’s a disaster in the making while vaccines are wearing off for those over 50.
Silverswirl · 20/10/2021 19:37

The plan is to let it spread now.
Everyone will be exposed and will either develop symptoms or not. Fight it off or die.
Sorry to say but that’s how it is with every other known virus out there.

Tinysnickers · 20/10/2021 19:38

I really really don't want my kids school to go back to bubbles.
Stuck in their own classroom at all times, even for pe (cosmic yoga every bloody week) and dinners delivered to their desk in a polystyrene box no choice of food available. Not allowed to stand up and walk around the classroom, no reading books sent home, most resources removed as they cannot be disinfected.
In the playground restricted to a tiny painted box and no playing with friends in other classes. No access to the climbing frame, the trim trail, the football pitch or the running track.
No thanks. Kids need to be kids. And I say that as someone who has just had covid because my kid brought it home from school.